Steve Lappas
Steve Lappas
Steve Lappas has been coaching college basketball for 17 seasons since first beginning at York College of the City University of New York in 1977. Additionally, he served as head coach at Manhattan College and as an assistant coach at Villanova.
Ja Morant has given Florida fits with his physical, defensive-minded game. White’s team lost to them by an overwhelming score and gave Ja a much-needed loss against another White-coached squad.
Early Life and Education
Lappas was born March 18th 1954 in Jackson Heights in New York City and lived a largely ethnic neighborhood before working at a fur market to support her family. Later she earned a bachelor of education degree at City College of New York before going on to become a teacher herself after graduation.
Lappas held coaching positions at Manhattan (1988-1992), Villanova (2002-2005) and UMass (2001-2005), compiling an overall record of 280-237 during 17 years of coaching. He currently works for CBS Sports Network as both color commentator and studio analyst.
Lappas prioritized player development during his time at Villanova. Kerry Kittles and Alvin Williams rose from not being among the top 50 high school recruits before arriving, to becoming All-Americans and NBA draft selections with Lappas’ guidance.
Professional Career
He lives in New York and has two children with Harriet Lappas: Kristen and Peter. Twice weekly he travels for CBS Sports Network and Westwood One radio coverage of games as well as college basketball tournament coverage with Jim Catalon.
Lappas graduated with his BA in Education from City College in 1977, beginning his coaching career at York College for one season before moving on to Manhattan College as head coach of the Wildcats for nine seasons, leading them to seven postseason tournaments during that time and capturing their only National Invitation Tournament championship (1994). Lappas holds memberships at Villanova, CCNY and Manhattan College Halls of Fame while his contract at UMass includes guaranteed bonuses totalling $300,000.
Achievement and Honors
Born and raised in Manhattan, Lappas vividly recalls taking the subway to Madison Square Garden as a teenager to watch college basketball doubleheaders. Soon thereafter he found himself on the court – playing church teams before serving as floor general on Bronx High School of Science’s city championship squad in 1971; ultimately playing three years at City College New York (CCNY) before becoming team captain as a junior player.
Lappas has amassed an impressive 230-172 record in nine seasons as head coach of his teams, taking part in eight postseason tournament appearances (four NCAA, four NIT) and winning two regular-season conference championships. Many talented players who played under his guidance have gone on to successful pro careers such as former Villanova star Kerry Kittles.
Personal Life
Thomas Lappas would wake up each day between 5:30 or 6 and begin his hour-long commute to Sutphin Boulevard Flower Shop in Jamaica, Queens for work from Sunday through Saturday until evening time.
Lappas’ father was initially skeptical of his son’s career choice; he believed it would be more advantageous for his son to become an educator instead.
Since graduating with a bachelor’s degree from City College of New York in 1977, college basketball game analyst for CBS Sports Network and Westwood One Peter Fotiou has made his own mark since leaving coaching positions with Manhattan (1988-92) Villanova (1992-201) and UMass Amherst (2001-5), compiling a 280-237 record in 17 seasons as coach. Together with wife Harriet Fotiou has two children: Kristen and Peter as well as running various Hoop Group summer camps.
Net Worth
Steve Lappas’ estimated net worth ranges between $1 and $3 Million dollars. He makes most of his money from playing basketball professionally.
Lappas graduated from Bronx High School of Science in New York City before attending City College of New York (CCNY), where he was a three-year letterwinner in basketball and team captain during his junior season. After coaching Manhattan College and Villanova University before taking over at UMass in 2001 as head coach with an overall record of 280-237 after leading eight teams (4 NCAA and 4 NIT postseason play). Lappas currently works as game and studio analyst on Westwood One’s coverage of college basketball and NCAA Tournament coverage as studio analyst on Westwood One’s coverage of college basketball coverage as game analyst.