UC Davis Coach Jim Les Enters 15th Season Still Seeking Tournament Return
DAVIS, CA – As UC Davis men’s basketball prepares for the 2025-26 season, head coach Jim Les embarks on his 15th year at the helm, continuing his pursuit of another NCAA Tournament appearance and building upon a program foundation rooted in fundamentals and resilience.
Les’s tenure with the Aggies began in 2011, and despite a challenging landscape, he has consistently kept the program competitive. the pinnacle of his time at UC Davis came in 2017, when he led the team to its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth after a historic Big West Tournament championship victory. The Aggies faced North Carolina in the tournament, marking a meaningful moment in program history.
Since that magical run,UC davis has remained competitive,adding another Big West regular-season title in 2017-18. Les holds a 210-216 record with the Aggies and a 364-356 record throughout his head coaching career.
Last season,the Aggies finished 15-17,going 9-11 in conference play,and now aim to build momentum heading into the new season. UC Davis opens its 2025-26 campaign at home against Menlo College at the University Credit Union Center, followed by a matchup with North Dakota State.A challenging early schedule includes road tests at Portland, Nevada, and Colorado before Thanksgiving, with December trips to Hawaii and Oregon adding further tests.
Known as a meticulous teacher of the game, Les emphasizes fundamentals, toughness, and discipline in his program. As he enters his 15th season, he remains driven by the same competitive spirit that defined his playing career, relentlessly pursuing the next chapter of tournament success for the Aggies.
