The head coach of Utah State, is one of a few candidates being considered for the Kansas State Wildcats head coaching position. There’s a reason his name gets mentioned, and he’s setting himself apart from the others.
It would be an understatement to say that Calhoun is only a candidate in the Wildcats’ hunt, and his name is not at the top of the list. It fulfills every requirement.
Jerrod Calhoun emerging in Kansas State head coaching search in 2026
It is no coincidence that the Utah State Aggies are among the best teams in the Mountain West Conference rankings. With just two games remaining in the regular season, their record is impressive.
Dominance has been the hallmark of the Aggies’ season. From late January to mid-February, Calhoun’s club won eight straight games. There weren’t many close games either.
Three of those victories were even blowouts, while five of those victories came by double-digit scores. During that time, the Aggies defeated Wyoming by a margin of 32 points, which was also the largest margin in league play.
Calhoun’s coaching method is directly responsible for that kind of achievement; it is not the product of chance. He has assembled a team that overwhelms rather than just wins. And his Utah State teams aren’t the only ones that use that approach. It began during his second season at Youngstown State.
Under Calhoun, the Penguins only won ten Horizon League games in 2018. A winning percentage of.375 almost doubled to.545 the next season. After two years of not-so-subtle progress, the team won the regular season championship in 2023.
It seems sense that Utah State hired him at that time. In addition, the subsequent outcomes were instantaneous.
Calhoun’s Utah State contract makes him a feasible hire for the Wildcats
Before the 2024 season began, the Aggies signed Calhoun to a contract extension that would go until March 2029. However, the buyout is not irrational.
According to earlier estimates, the third-year head coach would repay about 70% of his remaining compensation if he were to depart. That amounts to $4.445 million if that occurs later this month.
Calhoun will receive $1.85 million in total compensation for the 2025–2026 season, an increase of slightly less than 7% annually. Compared to former head coach Jerome Tang’s contract, which included over $3 million annually with a record-breaking buyout of over $18 million, that is a long cry.
Matching such numbers would probably not be necessary to bring in Calhoun, at least not immediately. That kind of financial flexibility is important in the Big 12.
Current head coaches aren’t the only ones in on the coaching carousel action
There are more people who have spoken on the head Wildcats’ coaching search in addition to the likely contenders. In February, former Indiana Pacers forward Metta Sandiford-Artest—also known as Ron Artest and Metta World Peace—expressed interest in the position.
It is improbable that Sandiford-Artest will take over at Kansas State. But there’s something intriguing about his name in the debate.
As someone who can reinvigorate the Wildcats and bring back winning culture to a program that has seemed inactive since 2022, Calhoun is currently the focus of the search. He is the kind of player that could make the Wildcats famous for many years to come.
