Utah State basketball bets on continuity with Ben Jacobson
Apr 9, 2026, 12:35 PM | Updated: 8:22 pm
LOGAN — In search of coaching continuity, the Utah State Aggies believe they’ve found their answer.
The all too familiar limbo of a coaching search ate away at the fan base following the departure of Jerrod Calhoun to Cincinnati. Within a week, the Aggies turned to a proven winner.
Director of Athletics Cameron Walker pried Ben Jacobson from Northern Iowa to be the program’s next men’s basketball head coach.
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“I’ve been here for about 10 days now, and I just can’t get over the energy around town,” Jacobson beamed. “The excitement is just terrific right now for me.”
That enthusiasm—and what it represents—help explain why this move made sense for both sides.
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Why Utah State, and why now?
Following his introductory press conference, Jacobson was asked the question on many fans’ minds: Why Utah State, and why this moment?
The answer was rooted in timing—both personal and professional.
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“Ben Jacobson is one of the great coaches in our sport, and Utah State is fortunate to land a coach of his caliber.” @CoachHoiberg #ShowMe x #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/M5p7K9tUR6
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) April 1, 2026
Jacobson pointed to Utah State’s basketball history and the community’s passion, describing Cache Valley as the ideal place for the next chapter of his career and life.
“Personally, it also lined up for Dawn and me,” Jacobson said. “Our boys are 22 and 20, in places where they maybe don’t need us quite as much.”
That mindset—choosing fit and stability over convenience—has quickly defined Jacobson’s early days on the job.
Recruiting begins with the current players
After signing, Jacobson immediately shifted his focus to construction.
“The way you build now starts with the players already here,” he told DJ & PK during a KSL Sports Zone appearance on April 8. “Retention of our roster is our top priority.”
Unlike recent coaching transitions, the cupboard isn’t bare. USU appears to have avoided a mass exodus, in stark contrast to 2023, when Danny Sprinkle inherited a roster that returned zero points from the previous season.
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𝙏𝙍𝙐𝙀 𝘽𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙜𝙜𝙞𝙚 pic.twitter.com/SUktLzSJjV
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) April 6, 2026
In fact, Jacobson has already secured the commitments of Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year Karson Templin and MW POTY Mason Falslev for their senior seasons. That duo, along with returning redshirt freshman Brayden Boe and Kingston Tosi, gives the program a solid foundation to build on.
Jacobson credits the community for helping make that possible.
“The way this community embraces our athletic department, our university, and our basketball program is second to none,” he said. “Those guys really appreciate it, and they’re glad to be back.”
While some of the heavy lifting is done, significant work remains as Jacobson and his staff continue shaping USU’s 2026-27 roster.
Who is Ben Jacobson?
For an Aggie fan base meeting its fourth head coach in six seasons, optimism is shrouded in hesitation. Successful seasons have often been followed by an abrupt coaching change, leaving fans longing for continuity.
Jacobson understands that skepticism —and believes his résumé speaks for itself.
“If you look at what I’ve done, my track record, if you will, it would scream continuity,” he said when introduced on March 31.
The 56-year-old grew up in Mayville, North Dakota, before starring at Mayville-Portland High School. He was the valedictorian of his graduating class. He went on to the University of North Dakota, becoming the program’s all-time assists leader.
After transitioning into coaching in the early 1990’s, Jacobson spent time on staffs at North Dakota and North Dakota State before landing at Northern Iowa in 2000.
He took over the Panthers’ program in 2006 and went on to build one of the most consistent winners in the Missouri Valley Conference. His teams made five NCAA Tournament appearances, earning five Missouri Valley Coach of the Year awards, the most in league history.
A long-term home
Jacobson’s history of sustained success and program building represents something the fan base has been craving: trust.
For Jacobson and his family, Logan represents opportunity—not just for wins, but for roots.
In a career defined by stability, Utah State makes sense—not as a stepping stone, but as a destination.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
