SACRAMENTO – Michael Czepil has been named head coach of the men’s basketball team at Sacramento State, reuniting with freshman head coach David Patrick. Czepil is the second coach hired by Patrick, who took over as Hornet’s head coach in April.
Czepil arrived in Sacramento State after serving in a similar position at UC Riverside. The Melbourne, Australia-born player coached for four years at UC Riverside (2018-22), including his first two seasons with Patrick, who was Highlander head coach at the time. Czepil was appointed head coach in 2020.
“I am pleased to announce Coach Czepil as my assistant head coach,” said Patrick. “He’s played for me and coached alongside me, so I have a lot of confidence and trust in him. Mike brings his international and peer coaching experience into our program. Leadership ability. , high-level teaching and hiring make him the perfect fit for our program.”
Czepil, who has 12 years of college, international, and professional coaching experience, has helped UC Riverside achieve the best of three years over the course of the program. I era. After rebuilding during the 2018-19 season, Czepil is part of the Riverside staff that has coached the team to a 47-35 overall and 24-19 record at the Big West Conference over the past three seasons.
Prior to joining Highlanders, he was assistant coach for the Australian Under-18 national team during the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in April 2018. He was responsible for the team’s defensive planning and Australia ended. The tournament was in second place with a record 5 -2 points (best finish in Australian history) while limiting opponents to 37% shots throughout the tournament.
For two years (2016-18), Czepil led the Victoria Metropolitan high-performance basketball program in Melbourne. In that role, he oversaw participation in the Australian Junior Basketball Championship, the nation’s premier children’s basketball event. While in Melbourne, Czepil identified many athletes in the final baseline to represent the national team.
His first head coaching experience was in 2015-17 when he led the Werribee Basketball Association senior men’s program at the Big V, Australia 3rd division professional basketball league.
He played four years at Nicholls State (2005-09), including one season for Patrick, who served as assistant coach during the 2005-06 season. Czepil received his first coaching experience at his alma mater, where he was assistant coach for three seasons (2010-13). Czepil, who has demonstrated recruiting prowess throughout his coaching career, landed his first major player in Liam Thomas (Sydney, Australia), who finished as block leader. Nicholls State all-time and Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
As a player, Czepil was a two-time team captain and graduated from Nicholls State in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He then earned a master’s degree from his alma mater in education in 2013.
