Sports24 March, 20262 min read
Cincinnati hires Jerrod Calhoun as Bearcats' new head coach
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Cincinnati hires Jerrod Calhoun to lead its basketball program. Calhoun, an Ohio native and Cincinnati alumnus, returns home.
Coaching Hire Announcement
Cincinnati has officially hired Jerrod Calhoun as its new men's basketball head coach. The Bearcats have agreed in writing to hire Calhoun away from Utah State on a six-year contract. Sources confirming the agreement came from multiple major sports outlets.
“Cincinnati is bringing Jerrod Calhoun home. The Bearcats have agreed in writing to hire Calhoun away from Utah State on a six-year deal, sources told CBS Sports. A public announcement is expected in the coming 24 hours.”
A public announcement is expected within 24 hours as the university finalizes the coaching transition. The move represents a strategic decision to bring in an experienced coach with recent NCAA Tournament success.
Coach's Cincinnati Connection
Jerrod Calhoun's return to Cincinnati carries significant personal and professional significance. The 44-year-old coach is a proud alumnus of the University of Cincinnati. This homecoming represents a full-circle moment for Calhoun.
He will now lead the program where he once played and studied. The decision brings a coach with both local ties and proven success. His background at UC provides firsthand understanding of the program's culture.
Utah State Success
Calhoun's recent coaching success at Utah State formed the foundation for Cincinnati's interest.
“Calhoun returns to Cincinnati after building a strong résumé that includes recent NCAA Tournament success at Utah State. Calhoun, 44, a University of Cincinnati alumnus, led the Aggies to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. Utah State's season ended Sunday with a 78-66 loss to top-seeded Arizona after entering as a No. 9 seed, capping a 29-7 season that included a double sweep of the Mountain West.”
In just two seasons with the Aggies, he led them to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
This demonstrates his ability to build a competitive program quickly.
His Utah State team finished the recent season with an impressive 29-7 record.
The team achieved a double sweep of the Mountain West conference.
The Aggies entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 9 seed.
They fell to top-seeded Arizona in a 78-66 defeat.
This capped another successful campaign under Calhoun's leadership.
Strategic Timing
The timing of Cincinnati's hiring decision appears strategically calculated. It came immediately after Utah State's elimination from the NCAA Tournament. According to reports, the move came just one day after Calhoun's Aggies team lost to Arizona.
This rapid sequence suggests Cincinnati had been monitoring Calhoun's situation. They moved quickly to secure his services once his season concluded.
The timing indicates Cincinnati's urgency in filling their coaching vacancy. It also shows confidence in Calhoun's ability to transition immediately into the role.