One of the greatest players in Coppin State men’s basketball history is back in West Baltimore, this time as a head coach tasked with getting the program rolling again.
Larry Stewart, who starred for the Eagles two-plus decades ago, was officially introduced in an introductory news conference on May 5. Stewart replaces Juan Dixon, who went 51-131 in six seasons prior to being let go following the 2022-23 season.
Stewart scored 1,824 points and pulled down a program-record 1,052 rebounds in 91 games for Coppin from 1988-1991, earning MEAC Player of the Year honors during his final two seasons. The 6-foot-8 forward played four seasons with the Washington Bullets, one with the Seattle SuperSonics and 12 overseas.
Stewart began his coaching career as an assistant at Bowie State in 2009, then jumped to the Division I ranks as an assistant at Morgan State (2015-2019), Maryland Eastern Shore (2019-2021) and again at Morgan (2022-23). Now, he gets his shot to be the boss.
“Before my press conference, I walked around the campus. I took that moment to bring it all in, to [see] first and foremost how it was when I first walked on that campus, and then to see where it is now,” Stewart said on Glenn Clark Radio May 8. “… I did have that moment. I did shed some tears because again, this is a place where I grew up at and have very, very special memories.”
Stewart helped ignite one of the most successful era of Coppin hoops. From 1988-1998, the Eagles went 205-95 under legendary head coach Fang Mitchell. Since then, the program has put together just three winning seasons and one NCAA Tournament trip. It has developed a reputation as one of the toughest jobs in Division I hoops.
Stewart understands the lay of the land has changed since he played at Coppin, and he acknowledges that building the right culture and finding the right recruits will be a process.
“The main thing for me is that I always realize is that it’s not about me. It’s about these young men. It’s about teaching and growing, and it’s about getting the Coppin brand back to where it once was,” Stewart said. “… I’m going to look to build a program based on being the best on doing the little things because we all know those are the things that typically lose you basketball games. I’m just looking forward to the challenge. It’s not going to be easy. I’m just ready to get to work.”
That process has to start somewhere, even with the roster in a state of flux given the realities of the transfer portal and a coaching change.
“We have to be accessible, right? It’s not about me, it’s about Coppin. It’s about getting this brand back to where it once was,” Stewart said. “That has always just been my philosophy. I’ve been blessed with the will to be the best. I’ve been blessed with the love of this game of basketball. I’ve also just been blessed with the desire to be of service. That’s where it’s going to start. Me and my program, we have to be accessible, and we will be in the community or wherever we’re needed.”
For more from Stewart, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Justin Eastman/Coppin State