The Randolph College Athletics department announced on Friday that it has selected Steve Lanpher as the next head coach of the women’s basketball program. Lanpher assumes his post on Monday.
“We are very excited to announce the hiring of Steve as our Head Women’s Basketball Coach,” said Athletic Director Tony Berich, who enters his second year at Randolph College. “He has been a proven winner everywhere he has been and he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. While his track record of success on the court is very impressive, his reputation as a teacher and mentor throughout his career is really what attracted us to his candidacy and we are eager to have him join our program.”
“I’m humbled and honored to be the next head women’s basketball coach at Randolph,” said Lanpher. “I’m grateful to President Bateman, Athletic Director Tony Berich, and for the entire committee for allowing me the opportunity to lead the WildCats women’s basketball team.”
Lanpher brings with him over 25 years of coaching experience at the Division I, Division III, and two-year college level. He comes to Randolph from the Combine Academy in Lincolnton, N.C. where he was the head women’s basketball coach and executive director last season.
Prior to the Combine Academy, Lanpher was the head women’s basketball coach at Division I New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, N.J. from 2012-2018. While there, he guided the program to 55 overall wins. In his first season in 2012-2013, he led the team to the most Division I wins in a season with 16 and the Great West Conference Championship, which was the first in program history. He recruited and coached three all-conference, two all-freshman, and one all-academic selection including the 2012-13 Great West Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
Before arriving in New Jersey, Lanpher was an associate head coach at the University of Massachusetts and the University of Vermont. While with the Catamounts, Lanpher’s teams were 92-40. The 2008-09 and 2009-10 squads were America East Tournament Champions and NCAA Tournament participants. He recruited and coached eight America East All-Conference, two All-Rookie, and four All-Defensive Team players as well as the 2007-08 Player of the Year, 2007-08 Defensive Player of the Year, and the 2006-07 Rookie of the Year.
From 2002-2006, Lanpher was the head coach at Division III Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. While there, his record was 92-28. His 2005-06 team was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament Champion and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Both the 2002-03 and 2004-05 teams participated in the ECAC Tournament. Lanpher was named the 2003-04 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year. He recruited and coached eight GCAC All-Conference Team players as well as the 2005-06 Player and Rookie of the Year.
Lanpher was also head coach at Pratt Community College in Pratt, KS from 1999-2001 and led the program to an increase of 10 wins from the first to second seasons. At Dean College in Franklin, Mass., he was named the 1997-1998 NJCAA Region XXI Coach of the Year.
“My family and I are looking forward to getting to know the Lynchburg area and all that Randolph has to offer,” Lanpher stated. “I will work tirelessly to help build a program of pride and class.”
Photo Courtesy Randolph Athletics
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