Mar 19, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Northern Iowa head coach Ben Jacobson speaks at a press conference ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images Utah State announced the hire of Northern Iowa’s Ben Jacobson to succeed Jerrod Calhoun as its head coach on Monday.
Jacobson, 55, has coached at Northern Iowa for 20 seasons, compiling a 397-259 record and leading the Panthers to the NCAA Tournament for a fifth time in 2025-26. He took them to the Sweet 16 in 2010.
He’ll supervise the Aggies’ move from the Mountain West to the Pac-12 Conference next season.
“Utah State is one of the country’s premier men’s basketball programs, and we needed a leader who embodies that tradition and is committed to building on our rich history,” Utah State AD Cameron Walker said in a statement. “Ben is not only an exceptional person, but across the industry is regarded as one of the best coaches in the country. He will be a tremendous leader and builder of men for our program. As we enter the new Pac-12, it’s critical that our leader drives us to new heights. Ben shares that same passion and vision, and I am thrilled to welcome him and his wife, Dawn, to Cache Valley.”
Calhoun departed last week to become the head coach at Cincinnati after guiding the Aggies to a 55-15 record with two NCAA Tournament appearances in two seasons.
Jacobson, who is reportedly signing a five-year deal, will be the springboard program’s fifth head coach since 2020. Craig Smith, Ryan Odom, Danny Sprinkle and Calhoun all moved on to bigger jobs after taking the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to join Utah State as it enters its next chapter in the Pac-12,” Jacobson said in a statement. “I’m grateful to Cameron Walker for trusting me to lead such a historic program and to continue its tradition as one of the top men’s basketball programs in the West. I look forward to getting to know Aggie Nation and the HURD, and for my family to become part of the Cache Valley and Logan community.”
Jacobson was an assistant at North Dakota, North Dakota State and Northern Iowa before taking over the Panthers in 2006. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year five times while winning four MVC regular-season championships and five MVC tournament titles.
–Field Level Media
