NEWS: Jerrod Calhoun to UC

[GoBearcats31]

Haven't watched yet myself, but a short-ish video from Field of 68 with a reaction to the Calhoun hire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFKRgMiR6mg

[GoBearcats31]

Jerrod Calhoun Named Cincinnati Men’s Basketball Head Coach

https://gobearcats.com/news/2026/03/...all-head-coach


A press conference will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Fifth Third Arena. The event is open to the public and doors will open at noon.

Calhoun’s deal is a six-year contract, pending board approval. It 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,” Cunningham said. “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. I’m looking forward to welcoming his wife, Sarah, and children, Jordan, Kennedy, Kendall and Quinn to the Cincinnati family.”

...


“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. “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.”


Screenshot 2026-03-24 120234.jpg

[leo from jersey]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HEHx8L-a...jpg&name=small

[leo from jersey]

Terry Nelson said he was speaking for the Bearcat BB Alums --- **** of a coach - The school has the facilities, fans, academics, growing sports programs, cheerleaders, dance team etc. Now it is time for the team to win.

[leo from jersey]

one more because it is groovy time in Clifton
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HDQDRvSX...g&name=900x900

[GoBearcats31]

Twitter/X = @CoachCalhoun_UC

Just hit the follow, while unfollowing @CoachWesMiller

#TheMovement

[longtimefan]

He had a 5.8 BPM in February and March. So yes, he improved over the season. 3.1 last year, 5.0 this year. I think 7 or so is a reasonable expectation for next year if he continues to improve. I don't think that's worth half of our budget. He would have to be first team all conference to earn that.

If $3.5mil is half our budget, we won’t compete for the top of the Big 12, it doesn’t matter who the coach is.

[leo from jersey]

If $3.5mil is half our budget, we won’t compete for the top of the Big 12, it doesn’t matter who the coach is.

other sources are saying 10 plus. Who knows as one source may have speculated and the others just repeated. It was from on3 and Pete Nakos who is viewed as in the know.

[BearKatz]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HEHx8L-a...jpg&name=small

Is that Nick Williams next to Hicks?

[leo from jersey]

Is that Nick Williams next to Hicks?

don't know but it would be nice for Hicks to speak to the new players. Eric is my favorite modern era Bearcat. Ron Bonham and the one and only Oscar are my other favorites.

[GoBearcats31]

Dan Hoard: One of the things I loved about my years as a minor league baseball broadcaster was getting to know future stars when they were just getting started.
I first saw Fred McGriff as a skinny, 21-year-old kid who was overmatched in Triple-A. Thirty-nine years later, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Before he was named American League Rookie of the Year (2007) and MVP (2008), I watched Dustin Pedroia defy expectations as a diminutive minor league shortstop. His listed height was 5’8, his actual height was closer to 5’6, and he carried himself like he was 6’5.
I suspect I am going to have a similar experience with Jerrod Calhoun.
I got to know Jerrod when he was a 22-year-old student assistant at UC in the 2003-04 season. What stood out as the time was how well-connected he was to high school recruiting in the state of Ohio. He seemed to have a relationship with numerous coaches and most of the highly-ranked players.
As a student assistant, he tried to anticipate how he could best help the coaches before they even requested it. And he soaked up knowledge from a great staff like a sponge, learning from Bob Huggins (935 wins, two Final Fours), Mick Cronin (527 wins, one Final Four) and Andy Kennedy (411 wins, including the most in Ole Miss history).
I was in my fourth year as UC’s radio announcer, and I remember my broadcast partner Chuck Machock being impressed with Jerrod as well. They shared Cleveland-area roots, and Chuck took an instant liking to a young coach with a great work ethic and no ego.
I have enjoyed watching Jerrod’s coaching journey ever since, and I am fired-up that his next stop is Cincinnati.
The UC basketball program has landed an up-and-coming star.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

other sources are saying 10 plus. Who knows as one source may have speculated and the others just repeated. It was from on3 and Pete Nakos who is viewed as in the know.

As I previously posted, maybe some of our deep pockets can dig deeper.

[Cincatz13]

He is here folks. Went to Lunken and saw the whole entourage! Excited for a new era.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

Totally agree. I'd like to keep Thiam but not at that price. There are only a handful of programs in the country that can afford to take that chance. Just ask Kansas (Peterson) and BYU (Dybantsa) how paying 1 guy that much of your budget worked out for a deep run in the tourney.

I am hoping that Calhoun is a much better judge of how to assemble a TEAM than Miller who largely seemed to just want to grab talented pieces and throw them together. That obviously did not work.

One of the problems with dealing with Thiam is his handler and big man coach. Calhoun may not want to be bothered by that arrangement. Given this, Thiam may not be back. Also, Thiam had a very good conference season. My guess is he may likely throw his name in the NBA draft hat. If he does, some team will draft him. Thiam showed that he can score inside consistently. Great size and good hands. Not a bad rebounder (could be better). Low motor, however. Very good upside. Lots of potential.

Thaim may have his mind on going pro.

[bearcatbret]

The grade for this hire (spoiler a B+)"
Grading the Jerrod Calhoun hire for Cincinnati basketball