The CSUSB Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced Gus Argenal as its new Men’s Basketball Head Coach on May 24th, 2023.
In his brief time with Cal State San Bernardino, Argenal has rewritten the record books. He has coached the Yotes to the most successful first two seasons in Cal State San Bernardino men’s basketball program history, earning 50 wins and a .720 win percentage. His 27 wins in year one is the most by any first-year head coach in program history. Additionally, in only two seasons, Argenal has led the Coyotes to a CCAA Regular Season Championship, a West Region Championship, a NCAA Round of 32 appearance, and a Division II Final Four Appearance.
NCAA Tournament Success
Argenal has been a part of six NCAA Tournament appearances and 12 NCAA Tournament wins as a head coach and assistant coach. He holds a 5-2 record in the NCAA Tournament as head coach.
2024-25:
2023-24:
- Led CSUSB to the Final Four, with wins over Alaska Anchorage, Chico State, Azusa Pacific, and Gannon
- First ever CSUSB head coach to win the West Region Championship in year one
- First ever CSUSB head coach to advance to the Final Four in year one
Prior to CSUSB:
As an assistant coach at Nevada and Arkansas, Argenal was a part of four NCAA Tournament appearances and seven NCAA Tournament wins, reaching the Elite 8 and two Sweet 16s. Those appearances include wins over Kansas, Illinois, Gonzaga, New Mexico State, Vermont, Cincinnati, and Texas.
CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE:
2023-24:
- First ever CSUSB first year coach to win the CCAA Regular Season Championship, with a 17-5 Record
- First ever CSUSB first year coach to win the West Region Championship
Prior to CSUSB:
Argenal assisted Nevada to two straight Mountain West Championships during a span from 2017-19. Those teams combined for 58 total wins in those two seasons.
BEATING THE BEST:
Argenal’s teams have had unparalleled success against teams ranked nationally in the Top 25, with eight wins in the past two seasons, the most of any West Region team.
2024-25:
- Wins over #15 Central Washington (away), #6 Point Loma, #21 Cal Poly Pomona (away), and #24 Chico State
2023-24:
- Wins over #5 Chico State (away), #25 Cal State Los Angeles, #19 Chico State (Round of 32), and #3 Gannon (Elite Eight)
ELITE RECRUITING SUCCESS:
2024-25:
- Returned only four players, 18.6 percent of scoring and 15.3 percent of rebounding, from a Final Four team
- Evan Oliver: First Team All-CCAA, Second Team All-D2CSC West Region, Second Team NABC All-West District
- Andrew Henderson: First Team All-CCAA, three-time CCAA Player of the Week, Second Team NABC All-West District
- Nic Welp: Honorable Mention All-CCAA
2023-24:
- Returned only five players, 18.3 percent of scoring and 28.7 percent of rebounding, from a Final Four team
- Chris Mitchell: First Team All-CCAA, West Regional Most Valuable Player, one-time CCAA Player of the Week
- Evan Guillory: West Regional All-Tournament Team
- As an assistant, Argenal has been a part of signing five McDonald All-Americans and has led recruiting signing classes at Arkansas that have ranked as high as #2 in the country by 247Sports. The 2022 Arkansas recruiting class was ranked #2 for high school and #5 for transfers and the 2023 class was ranked #7 for transfers and overall #12 in the nation.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Over the past two seasons, the Yotes have been a consistent name, represented in the national and regional polls.
2024-25:
- Spent six weeks ranked in the NABC Top 25, reaching as high as #10
- Spent eight weeks ranked in the D2CSC Top 25, reaching as high as #5
- Spent 16 weeks (entire season) ranked in the D2CSC Top 10 Regional Rankings, reaching as high as #1
2023-24:
- Spent 11 weeks ranked in the NABC Top 25, reaching as high as #5
- Finished season ranked #5 in the NABC Top 25
- Spent 10 weeks ranked in the D2CSC Top 25, reaching as high as #5
- Finished season ranked #5 in the D2CSC Top 25
- Spent 16 weeks (entire season) ranked in the D2CSC Top 10 Regional Rankings, reaching as high #1
DEVELOPING PROS:
Argenal has nine former players that are currently playing in the NBA or NBA G League.
- Anthony Black - Orlando Magic
- Ricky Council - Philadelphia 76ers
- Caleb Martin - Dallas Mavericks
- Cody Martin - Phoenix Suns
- Jackson Rowe - Golden State Warriors
- Nick Smith - Charlotte Hornets
- Stanley Umude - Milwaukee Bucks
- Jordan Walsh - Boston Celtics
- Jaylin Williams - Oklahoma City Thunder
STYLE OF PLAY- BY THE NUMBERS:
Over two seasons Argenal’s Yotes have ranked in the Top 50 of the NCAA in multiple defensive and offensive categories creating a rugged defensive identity with a fast paced versatile offensive attack. Along with team success – multiple Yotes have had individual success breaking into the Top 50 amongst the best in the country.
NCAA Top 50 Team Statistical Numbers
#3 Rebound Margin - +9.3
#8 Three Point Percentage Defense - 29.8%
#12 Rebound Per Game - 41.03
#15 Scoring Defense - 66.0 Points Allowed per game
#16 Offensive Rebounds Per Game - 13.51
#20 Scoring Margin - 10.3 PPG
#24 Field Goal Percentage Defense - 41.4%
#34 Defensive Rebounds Per Game - 27.51
#35 Turnovers Forced Per Game - 15.89
#41 Free Throws Attempted Per Game - 22.5
#48 Free Throws Made Per Game - 16.1
NCAA Top 50 Individual Statistical Numbers
#4 Total Assists - Evan Oliver - 200
#6 Total Rebounds - Robby Robinson - 307
#8 Total Steals - Evan Oliver - 81
#11 Assists Per Game - Evan Oliver - 5.7
#12 Double-Doubles - Robby Robinson - 13
#18 Steals Per Game - Evan Oliver - 2.31
#22 Field Goals Attempted - Andrew Henderson - 472
#22 Defensive Rebounds - Robby Robinson - 6.49
#25 3PTS Attempted - Sedrick Altman - 217
#28 Field Goals Made - Evan Oliver - 222
#28 Rebounds Per Game - Robby Robinson - 2.94
#32 Total Points - Andrew Henderson - 604
#33 Total Rebounds - Chris Mitchell - 256
#35 Free Throws Attempted - Chris Mitchell - 139
#37 Offensive Rebounds Per Game - LeAndrew Knight - 2.94
#42 Field Goals Attempted - Robby Robinson – 432
#45 Tota Points - Chris Mitchell - 569
#46 Field Goals Attempted - Evan Oliver - 433
“Gus embodies what I’m looking for to lead our men’s basketball program. He has a proven track record of supporting student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, on the court, in the community, and as people. His experience graduating student-athletes while coaching at a national level will position him well to build a strong championship culture in our men’s basketball program. I am excited to welcome the Argenal family to our campus and can’t wait to see our team under Gus’s leadership.” – Shareef Amer, CSUSB Athletics Director
Before Arkansas, Argenal spent time at Cal State Fullerton and Nevada, and was also the head coach at CCAA-competitor Cal State East Bay from 2013-17. Before that, he also spent time as an assistant coach at Rice, UC Davis, Chico State, UTSA, and Arizona State. In total, Argenal has over 19 years of collegiate coaching experience.
“I want to thank athletic director Shareef Amer, President Morales, and the rest of the dedicated hiring committee for this incredible opportunity. I could not be more excited to be a part of a campus community that gives its student-athletes an elite collegiate experience. Coyote basketball has a storied tradition of winning in the CCAA and on the national stage; my goal is to build an incredible culture of winning, in and out of the classroom through hard work, brotherhood, and passion. My team will be aggressive and attack on both sides of the ball utilizing a position-less style that takes advantage of mismatches and plays with great pace for 40 minutes. Go Yotes!” – Gus Argenal
Prior to coaching, Argenal was a point guard who played at UC Davis and still holds the Aggies single-game record with 13 assists. His senior season he topped the Aggies in assists and steals and helped the 2003-04 team post an 18-9 record. He received his undergraduate degree in history from UCD in 2004 and earned a master’s degree in education from Arizona State in 2005.
He is married to UC Davis women’s basketball standout, the former Hannah Turner. The couple has two boys, Bo and Ace.
