A New Era Dawns for Pepperdine Basketball
The Incoming Coach: Griff Aldrich's Journey to Malibu
Sources reveal that Pepperdine University is nearing a final agreement to bring Griff Aldrich aboard as the new head coach of their men's basketball team. Aldrich, who currently serves as an associate head coach for the Virginia Cavaliers, is set to take the reins of the Waves program.
Aldrich's Impressive Coaching Pedigree
At 51 years old, Aldrich boasts a notable coaching career. Prior to his tenure at Virginia, he spent seven seasons, from 2018 to 2025, as the head coach for Longwood. During his time with the Lancers, he amassed an impressive record of 127 wins against 100 losses, guiding the team to the NCAA Tournament in both 2022 and 2024.
A Return to Alma Mater and a Stellar Season
In the 2025-26 season, Aldrich made a return to his alma mater, joining Ryan Odom's coaching staff at Virginia. His contributions were instrumental in a highly successful season for the Cavaliers, who concluded with a remarkable 30-6 record, reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Transition Following Schilling's Departure
Aldrich's arrival at Pepperdine comes on the heels of Ed Schilling's dismissal. Schilling's two-season tenure with the Malibu-based program concluded on March 9, having recorded a 22-45 overall record, with an 8-28 standing within the West Coast Conference.
