Holt named head men’s basketball coach at OCU

OCU Athletics
Rich Tortorelli, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications

OKLAHOMA CITY – Stan Holt has been selected as Oklahoma City University’s men’s basketball coach.

Holt joins the Stars after leading Langston to a 107-50 record with three national-tournament appearances over the past five seasons.

“I’m excited to add Stan Holt to our athletic staff,” OCU athletic director Jim Abbott said. “Stan is an outstanding coach with a reputation for sustained success in the classroom and in competition. I’m happy to have him joining the OCU family and look forward to great things from our men’s basketball program under his direction.”

Holt lifted Langston to national prominence. Holt directed the Lions to four consecutive 20-win seasons, a No. 4 ranking among the NAIA in January, the 2016 Red River Athletic Conference Tournament title with a 25-7 record, the 2017 NAIA Division I Championship Tournament quarterfinals and the program’s first NAIA Tournament victory, a 78-76 triumph over third-seeded Biola (Calif.) on March 15, 2017. Langston went 3-3 in the NAIA Tournament under Holt, but Langston previously had gone 0-3 in the national tournament. Holt has three times been named HoopDirt.com national coach of the week. Langston produced five all-Americans and 18 all-conference performers under Holt.

“I want to thank Langston University for what has been a truly remarkable place for the last five years,” Holt said. “We achieved great success together and we could not have done it without the support of our administration, coaching staff, players, staff, students, alumni, fans and the entire university community. We shared some great moments together, and I will always be grateful for that.

“At the same time, I felt strongly about this new and exciting opportunity with Oklahoma City University. I would like to personally thank director of athletics Jim Abbott for this opportunity. It is an absolute honor to be the head coach of the Stars. I love the position the team is in. We have an opportunity to do something truly special, and I feel this is the perfect fit for me. With hard work, courage, and commitment, we will continue to grow as a team, and reinforce a culture of success with strong core values. I am excited to build relationships on campus with the administration, faculty, staff, students, fans, and alumni. OCU is an outstanding institution located in a world-class city with amazing people, and I’m excited to get started.”

Holt became the 22nd men’s basketball coach in OCU history. In 2018-19, OCU went 22-11 with the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament championship and an appearance in the NAIA Division I Tournament round of 16.

Holt will direct one of the nation’s most storied men’s basketball programs. OCU has made 25 trips to the NAIA Division I Championship Tournament with five consecutive appearances, a 49-18 all-time record in NAIA Tournament play and six national championships.

Prior to his tenure at Langston, Holt worked for the men’s basketball program at the University of Southern California. During his time as a member of the staff at the USC, Holt had the distinct pleasure of contributing to the development of players such as future NBA players All-Star DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Taj Gibson. Additionally, he helped develop Daniel Hackett, who turned pro with CSKA Moscow of the Euroleague and former Pac-10 defensive player of the year Marcus Simmons, who is playing professionally overseas. While at USC, the Trojans experienced three straight winning seasons, won the Pac-10 Conference Tournament, and appeared in back to back NCAA tournaments.

In the summers of 2017 and 2018, Holt was a guest speaker and clinician at the prestigious Chantaloba basketball camp (co-owned by A2 president Fabio Manca) which is held annually on the outskirts of Torino, Italy. Coach Holt had the pleasure of working with legendary Italian coach, clinician, and author Bruno Boero.

Holt’s experience includes NCAA Division I, NAIA Division I, high school, and coaching elite level summer basketball camps. He has worked over 20 national elite basketball camps nationwide including the Kobe Bryant Academy, USC Elite Camp and the Nike Phenom 150 camp. In addition, he has worked as a private trainer/skills coach. Holt completed USA Basketball training and is currently licensed by the organization.

A native of Los Angeles, Holt earned his Master of Education in Post-Secondary Administration and Student Affairs with an emphasis in Athletic Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a business minor at the University of Southern California. Holt attributes much of his success to his family, who have been extremely supportive throughout his life and career.

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