Former Youngstown State basketball coach Jerrod Calhoun had a great season in his first year at Utah State.

The seven year coach of the Penguins took the Utah State job shortly after the 2023-24 season ended.

"I wanted to take the next step. It was my goal to be in a multi bid league and the Mountain West is an elite conference," stated Calhoun whose team went 26-8 and earned a 10th seed in the NCAA Tournament.

"It was weird playing against a good friend in Mick Cronin and UCLA and we just didn't play well."

Calhoun is excited for the Penguins and new Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

"I was able to watch from 12 to 15 games and so proud of what Ethan (Faulkner) and his staff have done," said Calhoun of his one time assistant.

"To me what was awesome when I turned on the games was the new arena." 

Calhoun visualized a new setting several years ago and kicked off through the help of supporters.

"You have to thank guys like Gregg Smith and  Rick Fryda, they were instrumental in the locker room project. Tom Zidian and what he did for the basketball program and other teams that utilize the facility."

Calhoun credited Serve-Pro and Jimmy Dobson for their contributions and elevating YSU to another level.

The East Liverpool native feels the Penguins have momentum from reaching the Horizon League Championship game and coach Faulkner will get them to the tournament.

Calhoun also talked about the West Virginia job where his name was mentioned.

"I think a lot of people thought that was a done deal but until you come to Utah and see. We have the number one student section in the country with 35 hundred students at each game," said Calhoun.

They offered him an incredible situation and Calhoun is staying put.

"I think you can win a national championship at Utah State and I'm ecstatic to be here," he concluded.