Todd Lee Returned as Cal State Bakersfield Head Coach

The former assistant coach is tasked with building a physical identity for the Roadrunners basketball program.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Basketball

Todd Lee Returned as Cal State Bakersfield Head Coach

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Todd Lee has been named the head basketball coach at Cal State Bakersfield. He aims to instill a culture of physical play and reconnect the university program with the local community in Bakersfield.

Why it matters

Lee looks to leverage his deep history with the program to restore a competitive standard. By prioritizing defense, rebounding, and rotations, the team is attempting to establish a new defensive identity.

Coach Todd Lee previously spent 8 seasons at UC Irvine, bringing significant experience to his new role. He also served as an assistant coach at CSUB from 1994 to 1997, a period during which the team won the 1997 NCAA Division II national championship.

The players

Todd Lee

He is the newly appointed head basketball coach at Cal State Bakersfield and previously coached for 8 seasons at UC Irvine.

Jaden Alexander

He is a returning guard and forward for the Cal State Bakersfield basketball team.

The details

The program recently held an open practice at the GSA Dignity Health Sports Complex to showcase its new focus on toughness and defensive improvement. Returning player Jaden Alexander joins a roster currently preparing for their upcoming competitive schedule.

Todd Lee served as an assistant coach at CSUB from 1994 to 1997.
CSUB secured the NCAA Division II national championship in 1997.
The Roadrunners will play their regular season opener against Stanton on November 5, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The return of a championship-era coach positions the program to shift its identity toward a physical, defensive-minded style of play. This change is intended to improve the team's competitiveness within the conference as they prepare for the season opener.

The immediate focus for the program is the season opener against Stanton on November 5, 2026. Fans can expect a shift in team rotations and defensive intensity compared to previous seasons as the roster prepares for official competition.

The takeaway

Building a team culture centered on defensive grit and rebounding is the primary goal for the upcoming season. Supporters can track the program's progress by observing changes in the team's defensive statistics throughout the early schedule.