Despite his relative young age, Leslie is a longtime Cougar and a proven winner. He has been associated with Azusa Pacific basketball as both a player and coach since the fall of 1996, serving 5 years on the Cougar coaching staff, including the past 4 as Odell’s lead assistant.
“I am very pleased to be handing the reigns to Justin Leslie,” said Odell. “As a player, he was one of the smartest competitors I ever coached, and as an assistant coach he has demonstrated superb insight, leadership, and maturity. He is ready to be the head coach, and I am confident he will do great things as a leader of young men.”
Leslie inherits a program that certainly is a gem, and he played a key role in establishing Azusa Pacific as one of the premier small college programs. He was a 4-year standout as a Cougar center, appearing in 132 games while averaging 8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds for his career. He is 1 of only 5 players in conference history to be a member of 4 Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) championship teams. He was a key reserve his first 2 seasons, and then started the final 73 games of his career. After missing most of the 2000 campaign with an injury and redshirting the season, he came back as a 2001 senior to average 12.3 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds for a 35-3 set of Cougars who were arguably the best team in program history. During his 4 full seasons as a Cougar, Leslie was part of a Cougar program that compiled an impressive 127-22 (.819) record and appeared in 4 NAIA Tournaments, twice advancing to the Fab Four and another time to the Elite Eight.
Leslie joined Odell’s coaching staff in 2001, and after a 1-year absence, he returned in 2003 as the lead assistant. He joins Odell as the only common thread amongst Azusa Pacific’s 4 NAIA Fab Four appearances (1998-99-2002-05).
Leslie’s introduction to Azusa Pacific basketball came in 1988 as a 10-year old member of then-Cougar head coach Cliff Hamlow’s basketball camp. Throughout his junior high and high school years he attended numerous Cougar basketball games, eventually signing a letter of intent to attend Azusa Pacific during his 1996 senior year at Perris (Calif.) High.
“I’m not sure words can properly convey my feelings, but I’m humbled and honored to be taking over such a prestigious program,” said Leslie. “Men like Bill Odell and Cliff Hamlow, who have gone before me, have been coaching heroes of mine and have established a legacy that I hope to continue.”
Over the past 15 years, Azusa Pacific has fashioned an amazing 437-98 (.819) record, garnering 14 NAIA Tournament berths and 13 GSAC championships. Leslie was a member of the Cougar program for 10 of those seasons.
"Justin’s strong leadership as both player and coach will undoubtedly bring him success,” said Azusa Pacific President Dr. Jon R. Wallace. “His strong character as husband, father and mentor will anchor him in our God First mission. I am thrilled with his selection as head coach of the men's basketball program."
Leslie takes over a team that returns 8 players and 3 redshirts from a 29-7 squad that advanced to the NAIA Elite Eight for the second consecutive year. Leslie’s first act as head coach was to name Jeff Rutter, a part-time Cougar assistant the past 5 years, as his lead, full-time assistant. Rutter will also direct the Cougar Athletic Association, the fund-raising arm of Azusa Pacific’s intercollegiate athletics program.
Leslie, who was an NAIA Scholar-Athlete All-American, graduated from Azusa Pacific magna cum laude in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and then earned his MBA from Azusa Pacific in 2001. He and his wife, Joy, also an Azusa Pacific graduate, reside in San Dimas, Calif., with their 2 daughters, Jill (4) and Jenna (1).
