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.

“[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.”