CINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati has found its next men's basketball coach.
After firing Wes Miller earlier this month, UC quickly nabbed Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun to take over the program.
Calhoun's deal is a 6-year contract. UC will pay him $3.7 million in the first year, with an annual raise of $100,000.
"Jerrod is a tireless worker, has an incredible passion and talent for developing not just players, but people, and has won at every stop along the way," UC athletic director John Cunningham said in a release announcing the hire. "He’s one of the best offensive minds in college basketball and has the pedigree to take Cincinnati basketball to the next level in the Big 12 and nationally."
Calhoun, 44, is an Ohio native who graduated from Cincinnati after working as a student assistant under former coach Bob Huggins for the 2003-04 season. Huggins — whom Calhoun called the best practice coach ever — was in the audience for Calhoun's introductory press conference.
"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 the release. "I am deeply grateful to John Cunningham and President Neville Pinto for their trust and confidence in me to elevate this program and guide our student-athletes as we pursue championships. Our goal is to build a program that consistently makes Bearcats fans proud, both on and off the court. Sarah, our children and I are excited to get to work at a place that means so much to our family."
Following his graduation, Calhoun was an assistant at Walsh University before rejoining Huggins as an assistant at West Virginia. He then served as head coach at Fairmont State, where he led the Fighting Falcons to an NCAA Division II championship game appearance, and Youngstown State, before joining Utah State in 2024.
In both seasons at Utah State, Calhoun's Aggies have made it to the big dance, losing in the first round in 2025 and the second round in 2026.
Calhoun's arrival comes as the Bearcats look to return to glory after Miller's disappointing tenure. Despite a storied history that includes six Final Four appearances and two national titles, the men's basketball program hasn't been to the tourney since 2019. During Miller's five seasons with the team, UC has appeared in the NIT twice.
The move will be a big leap for Calhoun, who has never coached a Power 4 team. The Bearcats will have to face top teams like Arizona, Houston and Iowa State — who all made this year's Sweet 16 — to make the tournament.
