UC Riverside is making a major move in its men’s basketball program, finalizing a deal to hire Gus Argenal as its next head coach. Argenal has led Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) to unprecedented success over the past two seasons and now looks to bring that same winning culture to the Highlanders in Division I.
Argenal, who has compiled 50 wins over two years at CSUSB, is coming off a historic run that saw the Coyotes reach the NCAA Division II Final Four.
Gus Argenal Hired as UC Riverside Head Coach
In just his second year, he guided a largely rebuilt roster to the NCAA Round of 32 after a first-round win over Biola. That victory marked his fifth career NCAA Tournament win as a head coach.
Under his leadership, CSUSB has made five straight Division II NCAA Tournament appearances and four straight seasons with a tournament win, establishing itself as a Division II powerhouse.
UC Riverside is finalizing a deal to hire Cal State San Bernardino head coach Gus Argenal, sources told @thefieldof68.
Argenal has won 50 games over his two seasons at the helm after coming from Arkansas – where he was an assistant for Eric Musselman.
Argenal led the Coyotes…
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 26, 2025
In 2023-24, Argenal’s first season at CSUSB, he led the program to a CCAA Regular Season Championship, a West Region Championship, and its first-ever Final Four appearance under a first-year head coach.
Wins over Alaska Anchorage, Chico State, Azusa Pacific, and Gannon showcased his ability to prepare his team for high-stakes basketball, even while coaching a roster that returned only four players and a fraction of its previous year’s production.
Argenal’s resume extends far beyond CSUSB. Before taking over the Coyotes, he served as an assistant at Arkansas under Eric Musselman. Prior to that, he held assistant coaching roles at Cal State Fullerton and Nevada, and was the head coach at Cal State East Bay from 2013-2017.
His coaching journey has also included stints at Rice, UC Davis, Chico State, UTSA, and Arizona State. With over 19 years of coaching experience, Argenal brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and a proven track record of building programs from the ground up.
Throughout his coaching career, Argenal has been part of six NCAA Tournament appearances and contributed to 12 tournament wins between his head coaching and assistant roles. As a head coach, he holds a 5-2 record in NCAA Tournament play, an impressive feat in any division.
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Argenal also has deep ties to California basketball. As a former point guard at UC Davis, he holds the school record for most assists in a single game with 13. His experience as a player and a coach in the UC system gives him a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead at UC Riverside.
By hiring Argenal, UC Riverside signals a commitment to building a competitive and disciplined program in the Big West Conference. With his success in player development, recruiting, and postseason play, Gus Argenal may be exactly what the Highlanders need to elevate their program to new heights.
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