Calhoun vows to keep Utah State at championship level

LOGAN, Utah (ABC4 Sports) – Jerrod Calhoun has some big shoes to fill, but he has the energy to do the job.

“I think you guys are going to realize Coach Calhoun goes a hundred miles an hour,” he said at his introductory press conference Tuesday. “Whether it’s fundraising, being in this community, Logan fits us.”

Calhoun replaces Danny Sprinkle, who left after one season in Logan for the University of Washington.

Jerrod Calhoun hired as USU head basketball coach

Calhoun spent the last seven seasons at Youngstown State, where he took over a program that had four consecutive losing seasons and led them to back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time ever. As he talked to people about coming to Utah State, he liked what he heard.

“One thing they constantly said was how special Logan is and how how special the Spectrum is,” Calhoun said. “You get goose bumps as you go in there. The Hurrd, I cannot wait to meet you guys.”

The Mountain West is a big step up from the Horizon League, where Calhoun was named Coach of the Year in 2023. It’s unclear which players from last year’s team that won the conference title and an NCAA Tournament game for the first time since 2001 will be returning, but Calhoun wants to make his pitch to them.

“I mean, they just got done playing, making history,” Calhoun said. “I cannot thank them enough. The Aggies became my favorite team last year. I told Coach Sprinkle this two nights ago. I fell in love with this group of players. I told these guys, if they come back, if they run it back, we can win a national championship. I truly believe that. This is not a rebuild. This is a reload.”

Danny Sprinkle leaves USU for Washington

Calhoun is Utah State’s fifth coach in the last eight years. Craig Smith, Ryan Odom and Sprinkle all left for other programs, but he said he wants to make roots in Logan and keep the Aggies at this championship level.

“I know the expectation level around here, and I welcome that,” Calhoun said. “I want to take that head on. I understand the expectations of this program. The goal here is quite simple. Let’s win a national championship go Aggies.”

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