A Program in Need of Repair
Steve Cleveland takes over a Fresno State team in turmoil
By MAGGIE THACH
Things have changed in the men’s basketball program. After a myriad
of postseason bans, violations and a continuing investigation into alleged
infractions that occurred under former coach Ray Lopes, the program was
in need of a fresh start. And on April 9, the school made it known that
it believes Fresno native Steve Cleveland is just the man to provide it.
Steve Cleveland, a former Fresno City College and Clovis West
High coach, led BYU for eight years before accepting his new job
at Fresno State. Cleveland takes over a Bulldogs team that was 16-14
last season. Photo by Joseph Hollak |
“[Cleveland] is a man who embodies integrity and professionalism
in all that he does,” university president John Welty said at the
press conference at the Save Mart Center that introduced Cleveland to
the Fresno community.
Since the announcement of Cleveland as the new coach, his goals for the
program have been clear.
“I want to bring in energy, excitement and make the community proud,”
Cleveland said. “There are integrity issues. I want to represent
this community and change the NCAA perception about us. We have a great
program.”
Cleveland came to Fresno State after serving eight years as the head coach
at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The season before Cleveland’s
arrival in Provo, BYU’s record was 1-25. But, since then, Cleveland
restored the team to postseason contention and four 20-win seasons, making
him the Mountain West Conference coach of the year in 2002-2003.
Cleveland’s teams were successful off the court, as well. For seven
years, Cleveland’s team ranked first in graduation rates among teams
in the MWC. In the 2003-2004 season, his team’s grade point average
was 3.0. His belief in success in the classroom can’t hurt a program
with a 611 academic progress rate, one of the lowest NCAA academic ratings
in the country.
“We’re going to graduate players,” Cleveland said.
Even with all of his success at BYU, where he compiled a 138-108 record
over his eight seasons to rank fourth all-time among BYU coaches in wins,
the opening at Fresno State was too good for him to pass up. He’s
coming back to the community where he grew up, coaching in front of his
parents and relatives and getting the chance to establish two different
programs during his career.
“I left a very good job at BYU,” Cleveland said. “As
hard as it was for me to leave Fresno eight years ago, that’s how
hard it was for me to leave Utah. I thought I was going to finish my career
there,” Cleveland said. “But not many people have the chance
to build two programs. It’s a challenge, and I get to come home.
It’s something pretty special.”
Cleveland has come back to a community that has welcomed him graciously.
“I love this community,” Cleveland said. “There was
a lot of support for (Fresno City College coach Vance) Walberg, but the
community has gotten behind me.”
Walberg, the fan favorite for the job, was one of three finalists for
the position. Cleveland and Walberg spoke last week about the Fresno City
coach becoming one of Cleveland’s assistants, but Walberg decided
to stay with the Rams.
Cleveland said growing up in Fresno has had a huge impact on his decision
to come back. As a young man, he used to sell programs and sodas at Fresno
State football games when the Bulldogs played at Ratcliffe Stadium. He
played basketball at Hoover High and spent a year playing basketball at
Fresno State and a year playing at Fresno City. He was named most outstanding
player at Fresno City in the 1973-74 season.
Basketball was a big part of his life, but Cleveland never intended on
having a career in coaching.
“It wasn’t my plan,” Cleveland said. “It just
happened.”
When Clovis West first opened in 1979, the job of the varsity basketball
coach fell into Cleveland’s lap.
He spent 10 seasons at Clovis West, coaching the varsity basketball team
to 175 wins and 80 losses.
He also coached varsity golf and taught advanced placement government
while at Clovis West.
Though it is evident that basketball is one of his biggest passions, Cleveland
has other interests, as well. He said he loves the beach and loves to
play golf. Reading self-improvement and self-development books is one
of his favorite things to do, he said. But the only thing that rivals
his love for basketball is his love for his faith and family.
“It’s a good feeling getting to coach in front of my family,”
Cleveland said.
After his last year at Clovis West in 1989, Cleveland coached seven seasons
at Fresno City before heading off to BYU. While at Fresno City, Cleveland
posted a 157-77 record, including a second-place finish in the state in
1996. Larry Abney, a former Fresno State standout and player on the 1996
Fresno City squad that finished 38-2, believes hiring Cleveland was the
best thing Fresno State could do.
“It’s a good hire because they got someone who really cares
about what happens in the community, really cares about what happens to
the players. He’s a genuine person. He’s going to do his best,”
Abney said. “He can relate to the players. I played for him one
year. We lost the first game of the season and didn’t lose again.
We had a team meeting and that was it. We went straight to the championship.”
Abney said Cleveland has a way of bringing players together.
“We had a lot of talent on one team. It could have been a nightmare.
It could have been the Lakers before Phil (Jackson),” Abney said.
“He was Phil for us. He made it happen. Regardless of what was going
on off the court, he got us to respect each other and play as a team on
the court. We didn’t just play for Fresno City, we were playing
for Cleveland.”
Though Cleveland’s 17 years of coaching experience at Clovis West
and Fresno City College have helped him establish ties in the Valley,
he says his experience at BYU will be the most beneficial in trying to
build a program at Fresno State. While at BYU, he learned that being a
Division I coach means more than just teaching basketball.
“It’s more than being in a suit and tie on game day,”
Cleveland said. “You have to develop relationships with fans, students,
staff, the athletes. You have to know how to handle the media and how
to put together a basketball team. It’s far-reaching”
The coach said the philosophy he used to guide the Cougars since 1997
will carry over to his tenure at Fresno State. Cleveland said the keys
to turning a 1-25 team into an NCAA Tournament team were believing and
recruiting.
“It was not getting distracted, not listening to naysayers or doubters
that allowed us to have success,” Cleveland said. “Recruiting
is the most important.”
Cleveland hopes to re-establish the men’s basketball program as
a player on the national scene. In a business that measures a coach’s
worth by wins and losses, Cleveland believes success is defined by his
own standards.
“It’s more about the journey than the destination,”
Cleveland said. “I'm more concerned with relationships with people.
I want to see growth.”
Now that Cleveland has assembled a staff, his first priorities as the
new coach are building a schedule and recruiting. He said he’s looking
for the kind of player he was.
“I’m looking for someone that is willing to work hard, is
unselfish, someone that is coachable and wants to get better. Someone
that has the same passion I have,” Cleveland said. “Yeah,
that was the kind of player I was, but I wasn’t nearly as talented
as the players I’m recruiting.”
Cleveland announced the signing of his first recruit, Quinton Hosley,
on Tuesday.
Looking ahead, Cleveland sees success for the Bulldogs in the future.
He wants to do things the right way. He doesn’t foresee violations
or infractions in his career here, just a good foundation on which he
and his team can build a strong program.
“We’re trying to reach our full potential, both individually
and as a team,” Cleveland said. “I want it based on core values
of a great work ethic and attitude. I want us to have execution and effort.”
His new position has re-ignited his love for basketball and has sparked
a rejuvenated sense of motivation.
“I have a passion for the game. I have a passion for young people,”
Cleveland said. “This job gets me excited. This is a huge challenge
but I’m ready for it.”
|
