Aggers Takes Over at Loyola

Having seen how he rescued a once-moribund Eastern Washington men’s basketball program, Loyola Marymount hired Steve Aggers as its coach to lead the Lions out of the depths.

Aggers, 50, was introduced at a news conference after signing a five-year contract Wednesday morning. Financial terms were not disclosed. He replaces Charles Bradley, who resigned.

A former assistant at Pepperdine from 1990-94, Aggers acknowledged that he is in for a big challenge. Loyola Marymount went 2-26 this past season, the worst in school history, and did not record a win against a Division I opponent.

“This will be a three-to-five-year plan,” he said. “It’s not going to be a sprint. This is going to be a marathon.”

Twice named Big Sky Conference coach of the year, Aggers led Eastern Washington to a 15-11 record this season and a share of its first conference title in school history.

Aggers said recruiting Southern California will be a priority.