Utah State hires Youngstown State’s Jerrod Calhoun as men’s basketball coach
Calhoun is USU's fourth coach in the last five years
David Dermer, Associated Press
Youngstown State head coach Jerrod Calhoun reacts during a Horizon League tournament game on March 2, 2023, in Youngstown, Ohio.LOGAN — Jerrod Calhoun, who led Youngstown State to consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in program history and has seven 20-win campaigns overall, has been named the head men’s basketball coach at Utah State University, athletic director Diana Sabau announced Saturday.
“Jerrod Calhoun embodies all the qualities we are looking for as the next leader of our men’s basketball program,” Sabau said. “He is energetic, enthusiastic, a player’s coach and is motivated to keep our current student-athletes in Logan. He is a formidable recruiter, an exceptional motivator, and has a keen understanding of the competitive nature of NIL and will be a great partner in growing the Blue A Collective.”
Calhoun spent the last seven seasons (2018-24) as the head coach at Youngstown State, where he logged a 118-106 (.527) record. During his last two years at YSU, his teams posted a 46-20 (.697) record, which included a 29-11 (.725) league mark, as the Penguins posted consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in their Division I history.
During his time at Youngstown State, Calhoun led the Penguins to the 2023 Horizon League regular season championship and three postseason appearances, including the 2023 National Invitation Tournament.
Calhoun also served as the head coach at Fairmont State for five seasons (2013-17), leading the Fighting Falcons to a 124-38 (.765) record and four appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament, including a national runner-up finish in 2017.
“I am honored that Diana and President (Elizabeth) Cantwell have entrusted me with the privilege of leading the storied Aggie program,” said Calhoun. “I could not be more excited about the opportunity to work alongside them.”
During his time at Youngstown State, Calhoun led the Penguins to five-straight winning seasons for the first time in their Division I era (since 1981-82) after posting a 22-10 mark in 2023-24. During his last three years, the Penguins won a Horizon League-best 41 conference games and a league-high 65 games overall. YSU also won 41 home games over the last three years, including a Division I school record 14 games in each of its last two seasons.