Utah State begins third coaching search in four years after Jerrod Calhoun’s departure
Mar 24, 2026, 4:14 PM | Updated: Mar 25, 2026, 9:48 am
LOGAN, Utah – The Utah State men’s basketball program is back on the coaching carousel—its third search in just four years—after Jerrod Calhoun left the program to become the new head coach at Cincinnati.
His departure comes on the tail end of another highly successful season for the Aggies, who reached the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in the last eight years and advanced to the Round of 32 for the second time in three seasons.
Reports: Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun takes Big 12 job
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Despite dramatic turnover at the top, USU has remained one of the country’s most consistent mid‑major programs, a fact not lost on USU Director of Athletics Cameron Walker.
“Utah State men’s basketball is one of the premier basketball programs in the country,” said Walker. “We will continue investing at a high level as we pursue championships and competitive excellence in the new Pac-12. The support of Cache Valley further enhances this amazing opportunity in Logan. Our fans and the HURD are phenomenal. We will work relentlessly to identify the next men’s basketball leader, who will continue to build on our rich tradition.”
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Calhoun’s departure leaves Utah State searching once again
Calhoun’s exit continues a recent spate of head coaching changes for an Aggie program that enjoyed the 17-year longevity of Hall of Fame head coach Stew Morrill just over a decade ago.
- Ryan Odom went 52–21 over two seasons and reached the 2023 NCAA Tournament before leaving for VCU.
- Danny Sprinkle followed with a remarkable 28–7 campaign and a first‑round NCAA Tournament win over TCU, then departed for Washington.
- Jerrod Calhoun compiled a 55–15 record across two seasons, led USU to back‑to‑back NCAA appearances, and secured a first‑round victory over Villanova in 2026.
Even as coaches moved on quickly, the Aggies consistently exceeded expectations—most notably under Calhoun, who guided the team to outright regular‑season and Mountain West Tournament titles in their final year in the league.
“I am thankful for Jerrod’s efforts the last two seasons leading our men’s basketball program, including two NCAA Tournament appearances, regular-season and tournament championships, and most recently a victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament,” said Walker. “I wish him, Sarah, and their daughters all the best.”
Utah State to reinvest Jerrod Calhoun’s $4 million buyout in the program
One upside of Calhoun’s departure is the financial windfall associated with his amended contract: Utah State is owed $4.445 million, payable within 6 months.
Walker reassured the fan base that every dollar of Calhoun’s buyout will be funneled directly back into men’s basketball operations—from staffing to roster building—as the program transitions into the Pac‑12.
What an amazing season, highlighted by two championships and a victory in the NCAA Tournament. Our Aggies played with grit, determination and resilience all season, showcasing our Aggie spirit. Proud of this team and what they accomplished.#ShowMe x @USUAthletics https://t.co/tMzexKWe8R
— Cam Walker (@CamWalker_USU) March 23, 2026
“Every dollar we save, every dollar we get goes into the program,” Walker said. “The key for the program is talent acquisition and retention. That’s on the coaching staff side, and that’s on the player side.”
Before shifting his attention to finding Utah State’s next head coach, Walker is focusing on the players who remain.
“We met with them all as a group, answered whatever questions, prepped them on the process,” Walker said. “Ultimately, I don’t have to love the next coach; they do. He can’t make me run lines. He’s not going to make me do any drills, but he’s going to be with them every day. It’s critical that it’s somebody that they, you know, respect, buy into the vision that he is selling.”
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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.
