5 Shocking Changes And Fresh Faces: The CSUSM Basketball Outlook For 2025-2026
Contents
The New Era of CSUSM Basketball: Head Coaches and Key Program Facts
The 2025-2026 season marks a definitive new chapter for the CSUSM Cougars, highlighted by the appointment of two new leaders who bring fresh strategies and energy to the court.Men’s Basketball Leadership: Brady Bergeson Takes the Helm
The biggest news for the Men's Basketball program is the arrival of Brady Bergeson, who was officially announced as the fourth head coach in program history on June 30, 2025. Bergeson takes over from Nick Booker, who was named head coach on June 5, 2023. This rapid change signals the university's commitment to revitalizing the program's competitive edge in the CCAA. Bergeson's mandate is clear: build a consistent winner while upholding the program's academic standards, which saw the team post its best-ever GPA (3.35) in the spring of 2020.Women’s Basketball Leadership: Jana Pearson’s Vision
On the Women's side, the team is now led by Jana Pearson, who was named the third head coach in the program's history. Coach Pearson is already making her mark, having released the 2024-2025 schedule and overseeing the preparation for the 2025-2026 season. A significant highlight for the program is that CSUSM will host the 2025 CCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament from March 6-8 at The Sports Center, a major event that puts the university at the center of conference action.2024-2025 Season Review and Key Player Entitites
The 2024-2025 season was one of rebuilding for both Cougars teams, but it was not without its moments of brilliance and the emergence of foundational players for the future.Men’s Basketball: The Comeback Kids and Defensive Anchors
The Men's team finished the 2024-2025 season with an overall record of 6-22 (6-16 in CCAA play). Despite the record, the Cougars showed grit, notably rallying from a 16-point deficit to secure an 83-76 victory over Chico State. * Jaden Tengan: A crucial name for the Cougars, Tengan was the team's leading scorer among returning players, averaging 9.0 points per game. His leadership and scoring ability will be vital in the new system under Coach Bergeson. * Nic Welp: Welp was recognized as a CCAA award winner for the 2024-2025 season. He was instrumental in the team's perimeter defense, often tasked with guarding the opponent's best players, showcasing his commitment and defensive intensity. * Micah Boone: Boone is another key player who featured prominently in the 2024-2025 season and is expected to be a factor in the 2025-2026 campaign.Women’s Basketball: Focus on Defensive Efficiency
The Women’s team concluded their 2024-2025 campaign with an 8-20 overall record. While the overall scoring average was 59.9 points per game, the team demonstrated a focus on defensive and rebounding metrics, indicating a foundation for a more structured, low-scoring approach in the future. The team began the 2025-2026 season with a 4-5 overall record, showing an immediate improvement in the early stages of the schedule.The Exciting 2025-2026 Outlook and Key Entities
The upcoming 2025-2026 season is filled with anticipation due to the new coaching staff and a roster featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent. The Cougars are preparing for a challenging schedule that includes matchups against regional rivals and tough CCAA opponents.Men’s Roster and Future Potential
The 2025-2026 Men's Basketball roster features a core group of players poised to define the new era. The blend of experience and new blood is a classic strategy for a program overhaul. * Key Roster Entities for 2025-2026: * Mikey Aikhionbare * Keavie Love * Aaron Ragen * Max Tengan * Micah Boone * Dexter Stratton * Chris Carrillo This group of players, under Coach Bergeson, will be tasked with improving the team’s overall scoring margin and competitive consistency within the CCAA. Early schedule announcements show the Cougars facing opponents like UC San Diego and Concordia University (Calif.) in non-conference play.The CCAA Challenge and NCAA Division II Ambitions
Both CSUSM programs compete in the CCAA, which is one of the premier conferences in NCAA Division II athletics. The conference schedule is a grind, requiring both mental and physical toughness. The Cougars' ultimate goal is to qualify for the CCAA Tournament and, eventually, earn a bid to the NCAA Division II National Tournament, a milestone that would cement the success of the new coaching regimes. The university's athletic department, located in the greater San Diego area, is committed to providing a top-tier student-athlete experience, evident in its conference-leading academic success. The Cougars led the conference with 126 CCAA All-Academic Honorees in a recent year, demonstrating a strong commitment to the student-athlete model.The CSUSM Basketball Identity: Resilience and Academic Excellence
The Cal State San Marcos Cougars basketball program is building its identity on two pillars: on-court resilience and off-court academic excellence. While the 2024-2025 records (6-22 for men, 8-20 for women) suggest a challenging year, the program is clearly focused on the future. The appointments of Brady Bergeson and Jana Pearson provide the necessary fresh perspective and new leadership to drive this change. The upcoming seasons will be a critical test for the new coaches as they implement their systems and integrate the returning talent with new recruits. Fans and followers of CSUSM Athletics are eagerly anticipating the rise of the Cougars as they look to climb the CCAA standings and become a regular contender on the regional stage. The future of basketball in San Marcos is undoubtedly looking bright, marked by significant change and renewed ambition.
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