COACH JUSTIN LUNT
Head Coach
Justin Lunt, now in his sixth year as the head men's basketball coach at Pacific University, continues to leave an indelible mark on the program's history.
The 2023-2024 season marked a historic turning point for Pacific men's basketball as Lunt steered the team to a 15-11 overall record and a 9-7 standing in NWC play. This season was defined by a series of milestones, including the team's first winning record in 10 years and only the third winning season in the last 25 years. Additionally, the Boxers reached the NWC semifinals, clinching a third place regular season finish, and securing their first postseason play since the 1999-2000 season, ending a 24-year drought. Individual accolades abounded, with Devin Fortune and Luke Winkler both earning NWC Player of the Week honors, and Winkler securing a spot on the First team All-NWC, while Jake Blazona received an honorable mention.
Lunt's impact extends beyond the court, as he was once again recognized among the Silver Waves 50 Most Impactful NCAA Division III Head Coaches in 2023, marking the second time in his career (the first being in 2020) that he has received this honor.
During Lunt's tenure at Pacific, he has had six of All-NWC honorees and coached 32 in his career between Pacific and Puget Sound. In five seasons, the Boxers are 58-80 under Lunt and 30-50 in NWC action. Lunt has an overall record of 238-209 and is 136-136 in NWC play.
Prior to coming to Pacific, Lunt spent 14 years at the University of Puget Sound - two as an assistant and 12 as the head coach. With the Loggers, he posted a 180-129 overall record with a 106-86 mark against Northwest Conference teams as head coach. On three occasions (2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09), the Loggers finished first in the Northwest Conference in the regular season, while also finishing as Conference runner-up four times and reaching the Conference tournament on seven occasions reaching the title game five times. Puget Sound also reached as high as No. 3 in the national polls under Lunt. During the 2008-09 season, the Loggers won the NWC title and went to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Division III tournament. The 2008-9 team won a school record 19-consecutive games eclipsing the old mark of 14 (1975-76).
The 2008-09 season earned Lunt Northwest Conference Coach of the Year. While overall during his time at Puget Sound, he coached an All-American (as assistant coach), four all-region selections, and 26 All-NWC honorees. He also had a player in Derek Jobe be named D3Hoops.com Rookie of the Year in West Region in 2011-12 and Jason Foster was named NWC Player of the Year.
Lunt began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at St. Martin's College (NCAA Division II) in Lacey, Washington. Lunt began his coaching career at nearby Fife High School and was the Varsity Assistant Head Coach and Head JV coach for three years. While there, he helped the Trojans reach the state playoffs in 2002 for the first time since 1992.
Lunt is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University with a bachelor's degree in Recreational Administration. Lunt lives in Forest Grove with his wife Lindsey and four daughters, Madeleine, Quinn, Indie and Rowan.
