Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tommy Lloyd

Discover the career path of Tommy Lloyd, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Tommy Lloyd is the head basketball coach at the University of Arizona. He holds the NCAA Division I record for most wins in his first five seasons as a head coach, with 147, and also holds the record for most wins in the first two seasons with 61.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2000: Joins Gonzaga as Volunteer Assistant

In 2000, Tommy Lloyd joined the Gonzaga men's basketball staff as a volunteer administrative assistant, honoring a tacit agreement with former coach Dan Monson.

2020: ESPN Story on Lloyd's Journey to Gonzaga

In 2020, ESPN journalist Jeff Borzello published a story detailing Tommy Lloyd's journey to becoming an assistant coach at Gonzaga, highlighting Dan Monson's early interest in Lloyd's coaching potential.

April 15, 2021: Introduced as Arizona's Head Basketball Coach

On April 15, 2021, Tommy Lloyd was officially introduced as the 18th head basketball coach for the University of Arizona.

November 9, 2021: First Collegiate Win as Head Coach

On November 9, 2021, Tommy Lloyd secured his first collegiate win as a head coach with Arizona, defeating Northern Arizona 81–52.

November 22, 2021: Arizona Enters Top 25 AP Poll

On November 22, 2021, the Arizona Wildcats entered the top 25 of the AP Poll for the first time under Coach Tommy Lloyd, ranking at Number 17.

December 13, 2021: Arizona Reaches Top 10 in AP Poll

On December 13, 2021, Arizona reached the top 10 in the AP poll for the first time under Coach Tommy Lloyd, coming in at number 8.

2021: Leaves Gonzaga for Arizona Head Coach Position

In 2021, despite being contractually guaranteed the head coach position at Gonzaga upon Mark Few's departure, Tommy Lloyd left to become the head coach at the University of Arizona.

January 17, 2022: Arizona Enters Top 5 in AP Poll

On January 17, 2022, Arizona made it into the top 5 for the first time under Coach Lloyd, coming in at no. 3 in the AP poll, marking the program's first time in the top 5 since the 2017–18 season.

February 21, 2022: Arizona Ranked No. 2 in Nation

On February 21, 2022, the AP poll update placed Arizona at No. 2 in the nation, following only Tommy Lloyd's former team, Gonzaga.

2022: Three Players Drafted into the NBA

Prior to the 2022–23 season, three Arizona players, Bennedict Mathurin (Pacers), Dalen Terry (Bulls), and Christian Koloko (Raptors), were selected in the 2022 NBA draft.

2023: Second Consecutive Conference Tournament Title

In 2023, Coach Lloyd and Arizona defeated UCLA to win Arizona’s ninth conference tournament title overall and the second title in a row. He also became the fastest coach to 50 wins, doing so in 57 games.

2024: Big 12 Conference Debut and 100th Win

In 2024, Arizona began the season as a member of the Big-12 Conference and Tommy Lloyd secured his 100th win as head coach, becoming the 10th fastest in a Power Conference to reach this milestone. He also won his first Big 12 conference game in the first match up against TCU 90–81.

2024: Head Coach of the United States Under-19 Team

In 2024, Tommy Lloyd became the head coach of the United States under-19 men's national basketball team. He coached the 2024 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup in Buenos Aires, Argentina where the team won gold.

2024: Head Coach of USA U-19 Team

In 2024, Tommy Lloyd served as the head coach for the United States men's national under-19 basketball team at the 2024 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup in Buenos Aires.

2025: Continued Role as USA Basketball Men's U-19 Coach

In 2025, Tommy Lloyd continued his role as the USA basketball men's U–19 coach, coaching at the 2025 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Lausanne.

2025: Coached United States U-19 Team in Switzerland

In 2025, Tommy Lloyd led the United States U-19 Team in Switzerland where the team went 7–0, defeating Germany 109–76 in the Championship Game.

2025: Qualified for the 2025 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup

In 2025, Tommy Lloyd's team qualified for the 2025 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Switzerland.

2025: Ranked 13 in the preseason AP Poll

To start the 2025–26 season, Arizona was ranked number 13 in the preseason AP Poll.

January 7, 2026: Named Team USA 2025 Junior Coach of the Year

On January 7, 2026, Coach Tommy Lloyd was named Team USA 2025 Junior Coach of the Year.

March 12, 2026: Named The Sporting News Men's College Basketball Coach of the Year

On March 12, 2026, Coach Tommy Lloyd won The Sporting News Men's College Basketball Coach of the Year Award, the first Arizona coach in history to win the award.