Utah State announces head coaching search as Jerrod Calhoun heads to Cincinnati
Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing story; updates will be provided as more information becomes available. This article was last updated on March 26 at 8:42 a.m.
After two seasons at the helm of Utah State University Men’s Basketball, head coach Jerrod Calhoun is leaving USU for his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati.
Calhoun will replace former head coach Wes Miller, who was fired by Cincinnati last week after an 18-15 overall finish in the 2025-26 season, finishing No. 9 in the Big 12 after a 9-9 conference record. Miller served as the coach of the Bearcats from 2021-26, finishing with an overall record of 100-74 with zero NCAA tournament appearances.
Calhoun’s contract with Cincinnati is expected to be for six years and starting at $3.7 million annually, a significant increase from his $1.55 million salary at Utah State.
Matt Norlander of CBS Sports was the first to report Calhoun’s move on March 23, with each university confirming the change on the morning of March 24. Utah State announced a nationwide search for a new head coach will begin immediately in a press release.
“I am thankful for Jerrod’s efforts the last two seasons leading our men’s basketball program, including two NCAA tournament appearances, regular-season and tournament championships and most recently, a victory in the first round of the NCAA tournament,” said Cameron Walker, USU vice president and director of athletics. “I wish him, Sarah and their daughters all the best.”
Sources within the team told The Utah Statesman that the news broke while the team was still traveling back from San Diego to Logan after losing in the round of 32 on March 22, prior to Calhoun addressing the matter with the team.
The Bearcats have not made the NCAA tournament since 2019, though their NIL pool for the upcoming season is expected to be over 10$ million. According to Calhoun, Utah State’s NIL was $2.4 million for the 2025-26 season.
Calhoun is an Ohio native and a graduate of Cincinnati, where he began his coaching career under former UC and West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins.
“It is a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to lead the Bearcats’ program — one that I know intimately as an alum and hold in the highest regard,” Calhoun said in a Cincinnati press release on March 24. “Our goal is to build a program that consistently makes Bearcats fans proud, both on and off the court.”
Walker will now begin a search for Utah State’s fifth head coach in seven years.
“Utah State Men’s Basketball is one of the premier basketball programs in the country,” Walker said. “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.”
Utah State coach Jerrod Calhoun motions to the crowd after cutting down the net following the Aggies championship win over San Diego State at the Mountain West tournament in Las Vegas. (Mark Greenwood/The Utah Statesman)
In two seasons in Logan, Calhoun posted an overall record of 55-14, finishing in the top three in the Mountain West and appearing in the NCAA tournament in both seasons. In the most recent campaign, Calhoun led the Aggies to a 29-6 record, winning both the Mountain West regular and tournament championships and defeating Villanova University in the opening round of the NCAA tournament before falling to top-seed University of Arizona in the round of 32.
Utah State Men’s Basketball won 25 games and qualified for the NCAA tournament in the 2025-26 season for the fourth-straight year, both program records. The Aggies have also qualified for seven of the last eight NCAA tournaments, winning in the round of 64 twice, previously in the 2023-24 season and again in 2026.