BURNABY, BC – Simon Fraser University women's basketball coach Bruce Langford would be the first to admit that he inherited the best women's basketball program in Canada when he took over from Allison McNeill 14 years ago.
 
It's not easy following a legend but somehow, someway Langford has delivered.
 
From humble beginnings – Langford began coaching YMCA softball and never played basketball – he has worked hard to learn the game over the course of a high school and university coaching career that spans more than 30 years.
 
At SFU, Langford has tried to live up to the expectations that were already in place when he arrived. Revered coach Allison McNeill set some lofty standards during her time at the Burnaby Mountain campus, having won 363 games, numerous coach of the year honours, and taken her teams to the NAIA National Championship tournament on an annual basis.
 
"I am lucky to have been in this place at this time," said Langford of taking over the SFU program in 2001. "Allison left behind the best women's basketball program in Canada. She left a program with pride, expectations of excellence, and a closeness that seemed more like a family. I have tried my best to carry that tradition forward over the years."
 
Langford has coached the Clan to seven 30+ win seasons and five CIS national championships. He, too, has won numerous coach of the year honours. Twice his teams have gone undefeated, and he has guided the Clan to 45- and 54-game winning streaks.
 
Langford has a career mark of 362-86, coaching the Clan for nine seasons in CIS and the last five in NCAA. Click here to view his coaching record.

Last week, he registered career win No. 362, leaving him one victory shy of equaling McNeill's career win total at SFU. McNeill compiled a record of 363-79 during her tenure at SFU when the Clan competed in the NAIA and its first season in CIS.
 
Simon Fraser plays Thursday against Saint Martin's College and Jan. 17 against Western Oregon (Tip-off is 7:00 PM in the West Gym both games) where Langford will have the opportunity to set a new standard for the women's basketball program. The games are available Live and On-Demand in HD here:

Jan. 15 vs. SMU - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmjy-IEvGB8
Jan. 17 vs. WOU - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_UB46V8-ak
 
"I came in nervous of trying to maintain what had been built," said Langford. "I tried to respect the history while adding a few of my own twists, but never straying too far from the core values that had been established. By being here a long time, recruiting quality people, getting help and support from many others, we have been able to win quite a few games."
 
"Allison's teams played hard, they played smart, and they played together," said Langford, who used to regularly take his high school girl's teams to Clan games. "That had a huge impact on how I wanted my players to play. I have so much respect for Allison and what she built."
 
There have been many special moments in Langford's career but few are as precious as the one's shared with daughter, Dani, a point guard for the Clan during its early years in CIS. Dani grew up idolizing Clan Hall-of-Fame point guard Andrea Schnider, the NAIA career leader in assists, and was recruited to SFU – by McNeill.
 
"I was excited when my daughter wanted to come to SFU and I was more excited when Allison recruited her to come here," said Langford. "I really wanted her to have the experience of playing for Allison."
 
Dani played one season for McNeill before her father took over as coach. Together they won the 2005 CIS Championship, capping a 38-0 undefeated season with a 70-60 victory over Winnipeg to win the Clan's second national title under Langford. Dani was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player in her final game for SFU and the 38 victories is still the program's record.
 
In 2010, Simon Fraser University became the first and only international school to compete in the NCAA at any level and in the Clan's first year of post-season NCAA eligibility, SFU advanced to the Sweet 16 in its first appearance in the NCAA tournament.
 
"Bruce cares about his players and teams and he has a wonderful philosophy of open communication and dialogue," said Brittany Fraser, who won two CIS titles as a player and one as an assistant coach with Langford. "I think more than the wins and the championships Bruce will be remembered for his 24/7 pursuit of excellence on the court, in the classroom and in the community."