Head Coach Brian Newhall

Brian Newhall, the winningest coach in school history, returns for his 36th season with over  500 career victories and a 100% team graduation rate.  During his tenure, the Tigers have earned regional and national rankings, produced the only perfect 14-0 record in SCIAC history and are the only SCIAC school to advance to the NCAA III Elite 8.

Newhall, a 1983 Occidental graduate, endorses the scholar-athlete experience.  "I was raised on equal parts Socrates and basketball. My parents were fans of the sound mind-sound body philosophy."  True to the tradition, Newhall played point guard for four seasons, garnering a degree in American Studies. "It was a formative experience for me. Some of my lifelong friends were teammates."  Team MVP twice and SCIAC Player of the Year, Newhall captained the Tigers to a SCIAC championship his senior year.  "Varsity athletes get double-teamed," he laughs.  "The coaches and professors both challenge you. The Occidental athlete gets a complete education---on the court, in the residence halls and in the classroom."

As a player-coach in Europe, Newhall added a global outlook to his winning strategy.  After two successful seasons in southern France, he returned to Occidental as an assistant coach for Bill Westphal.  "Inclination and opportunity converged.  It was an ideal scenario---an NBA coach to learn from and the junior-varsity team to coach."  Newhall maintains strong international ties, placing numerous players on European Basketball Club Teams.

Continuity and community are benchmarks of Newhall's success.  Alumni support is at an all time high.  "Staying in touch with my own players and meeting those of earlier generations is one of the rewards of my career." Newhall has reached out to scholar-athletes across six decades of Tiger Basketball. "Their collective achievements are the best recommendation for Occidental."  Newhall credits Oxy legends, Grant Dunlap and Bill Westphal, with "inspiration and guidance" in energizing the alumni network. "It embodies the heart and history of our program." Newhall has expanded Oxy's Hall of Fame to include 30 honorees, dating back to 1935. 

Newhall, who has an MA in Education, also developed and directs Occidental's acclaimed Youth Basketball Camps.  In addition, Newhall lends his coaching talent to different local youth sports programs and is an active volunteer with the South Pasadena School District.

Newhall resides in South Pasadena with his wife Amy '84 who is the President at Scripps College.  They have three adult children, Rachel who attended Boston College/USC and twins Emily who attends Colorado College and David who attends Occidental College.