2026-27 Staff and Roster

[GoBearcats31]

Here's a look at the Utah State gang -- seems like there is room for at least one more assistant position on staff:

Jerrod Calhoun, Head Coach https://gobearcats.com/staff/jerrod-calhoun
Mantoris Robinson, Associate Head Coach https://gobearcats.com/staff/mantoris-robinson
Ben Asher, Assistant Coach https://gobearcats.com/staff/ben-asher
Johnny Hill, Assistant Coach https://gobearcats.com/staff/johnny-hill
Max Bent, Assistant Coach https://gobearcats.com/staff/max-bent
Paul Molinari, Chief of Staff https://gobearcats.com/staff/paul-molinari
Curran Walsh, Director of Player Personnel and Analytics https://gobearcats.com/staff/curran-walsh

Notably, this staff has a combined 1 season played at the high major level (Johnny Hill played his last season at Purdue) and three were former student managers, not counting Calhoun as a student assistant at UC.


Players? TBD

[bearcatbret]

Here is a summary of the experience and primary roles of the new coaches:
Calhouns Cincinnati Staff Taking Shape Before Portal Surge | Fanrecap.com

[fmirzamd]

Four more names are joining the aforementioned pillars in Max Bent, Curran Walsh, Johnny Hill, and Ben Asher. They are set up and ready to attack the transfer portal when it opens tomorrow.
could not open the Enquirer report.

[bearcatbret]

CJC bringing most of his USU staff along. Scott Springer from the local rag.
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...2/89460718007/

I think that Eric Haut was probably the most important part of the staff. Unfortunately, he is the only one not coming along for the ride.

[longtimefan]

CJC bringing most of his USU staff along. Scott Springer from the local rag.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-cincinnati/2026/04/05/meet-jerrod-calhouns-cincinnati-bearcats-assistant-basketball-coaches-big-12/89460718007/

[Rufus]

The NCAA appears to be okay with this current arrangement. Carson Beck, the starting QB for the U of Miami last season stated that HE HAD NOT ATTENDED CLASSES IN 2 YEARS. What kind of crap is that? How can you be a student and not go to class.

This current model of college sports with the portal and NIL is going to collapse on itself. The NCAA is creating a system where only the richest schools will be able to consistently compete for championships every year. Some adjustments to the current system are needed. The NCAA may be setting itself up for a lawsuit down the road from a non-power conference school because of not having the money to attract talented players. Caps and restrictions are needed to even the playing field. Also, why not sign a player to two, three, or four years. That would maintain some stability from one year to the next.

I believe that NIL is good. However, paying a college kid millions of dollars is way too much. The NCAA should get the agents and lawyers out of it. Anytime lawyers get involved, it drives salaries and costs up.

You have just stated what has been said here in the forum and in many other places many times in the past. The NCAA created a monster by allowing money to paid to athletes without having a schematic making it fair for everyone. MLB is essentially in the same boat. How can smaller teams with meager payrolls compete with the LA's, NY's and SF's who have 400 million invested in players? "For the love of money is the root of all evil" is more truer today than it was back when Paul penned these words. As long as we have people who will spare no amount, or feel no shame in their efforts to claim a championship we will have this problem. I agree with you in that it seems that the NCAA is content in allowing this scenario to continue as is.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

Sure, but are these guys students? I miss the days where we could watch guys like Kenyon or Gary Clark develop over 4 years, and we knew they were Bearcats. Even MLB has rules so that all players aren’t free agents every year. I guess we just have to get used to one year mercenaries wearing the CPAW, then moving on. I also never considered a 4 year full ride as exploitation.

The NCAA appears to be okay with this current arrangement. Carson Beck, the starting QB for the U of Miami last season stated that HE HAD NOT ATTENDED CLASSES IN 2 YEARS. What kind of crap is that? How can you be a student and not go to class.

This current model of college sports with the portal and NIL is going to collapse on itself. The NCAA is creating a system where only the richest schools will be able to consistently compete for championships every year. Some adjustments to the current system are needed. The NCAA may be setting itself up for a lawsuit down the road from a non-power conference school because of not having the money to attract talented players. Caps and restrictions are needed to even the playing field. Also, why not sign a player to two, three, or four years. That would maintain some stability from one year to the next.

I believe that NIL is good. However, paying a college kid millions of dollars is way too much. The NCAA should get the agents and lawyers out of it. Anytime lawyers get involved, it drives salaries and costs up.

[longtimefan]

Baba Miller is showing up as a second rounder on most 2026 mock drafts -- he won't be on the 26-27 Bearcat roster regardless

Guys have been going to court to get 6th year after being denied by the NCAA, some won. That’s where we are now.

[zykarious]

The answer is mostly no.

Most of their key guys are out of eligibility (barring anything crazy from the NCAA). Only three potential transfers played significant minutes.

Falslev, starting SG, could compete in the big 12, he's a big, strong, guard. He is from Utah and attended the new Utah State coaches press conference (which doesn't mean he's staying there, but he's listening).
Elamin, starting PF, is a long, lanky forward with tons of athleticism. Probably needs to put on 15 lbs to make it through a season in the big 12.
Templin was their 6th man and doesn't really have the athleticism, does have size at 6'9" though. Could provide us a veteran off the bench, but if he's starting we are probably in trouble.

There are a number of back-end bench guys who could transfer here and fill the end of our bench. Haven't looked into any of those guys much. Will assume they won't be getting real minutes until it's proven otherwise.

Templin declared he is returning to USU, so Falslev and Elamin are the two USU guys to keep an eye on now as guys who could start here next year.

[longtimefan]

Sounds like Jaquon Parker. 6'3 and 5.6 boards per game in our 2012 sweet sixteen season. I'll take that. Give me production, size or not.

Heck yeah, Jaquon was relentless, one of my favorite Bearcats all time. If there’s anybody close, grab them.

[sedz]

I know that, I’m wondering about Big 12 size and athleticism. For example their top rebounder was a 6’4 guard who averaged 5.7 boards a game.

Sounds like Jaquon Parker. 6'3 and 5.6 boards per game in our 2012 sweet sixteen season. I'll take that. Give me production, size or not.

[zykarious]

I know that, I’m wondering about Big 12 size and athleticism. For example their top rebounder was a 6’4 guard who averaged 5.7 boards a game.

The answer is mostly no.

Most of their key guys are out of eligibility (barring anything crazy from the NCAA). Only three potential transfers played significant minutes.

Falslev, starting SG, could compete in the big 12, he's a big, strong, guard. He is from Utah and attended the new Utah State coaches press conference (which doesn't mean he's staying there, but he's listening).
Elamin, starting PF, is a long, lanky forward with tons of athleticism. Probably needs to put on 15 lbs to make it through a season in the big 12.
Templin was their 6th man and doesn't really have the athleticism, does have size at 6'9" though. Could provide us a veteran off the bench, but if he's starting we are probably in trouble.

There are a number of back-end bench guys who could transfer here and fill the end of our bench. Haven't looked into any of those guys much. Will assume they won't be getting real minutes until it's proven otherwise.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I know that, I’m wondering about Big 12 size and athleticism. For example their top rebounder was a 6’4 guard who averaged 5.7 boards a game.

I'm sure Utah State transfers won't be the ONLY players we add.

[longtimefan]

Utah St was a top 30 NCAA team that beat Nova and showed better against Arizona than most of our league. They probably would have finished in the top half. So yes, they have Big 12 caliber players.

I know that, I’m wondering about Big 12 size and athleticism. For example their top rebounder was a 6’4 guard who averaged 5.7 boards a game.

[sedz]

Big 12 players?

Utah St was a top 30 NCAA team that beat Nova and showed better against Arizona than most of our league. They probably would have finished in the top half. So yes, they have Big 12 caliber players.