Iowa State assistant JR Blount was introduced as USD’s new men’s basketball coach on Tuesday, and it was a party.
Kimya Massey, JR Blount and James Harris III laugh during a press conference to announce Blount as the new mens basketball coach at USD on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in San Diego, California. The University of San Diego welcomed men’s basketball coach JR Blount to campus on Tuesday, and it was a Mariachis performed.
Cheerleaders shook their pompoms. Caterers served carne asada burritos, chips and salsa. When Blount took to the outdoor stage shortly after noon, USD students, faculty members and fans stood and cheered.In a hire that athletic director Kimya Massey called “transformational” and potentially “the most important hire we’ve ever made in this athletic program,” USD plucked the 38-year-old Blount off Iowa State’s bench with hopes he can lead the Toreros to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009. Administrators will give Blount resources — read: money for players — to pair with the sparkling new on-campus Basketball Performance Center.“I think,” Blount said, “we’re positioned great.” Consider: Just three WCC teams finished the 2025-26 season with winning records in league play. Gonzaga is gone, headed to the reconstituted Pac-12 alongside WCC brethren Oregon State and Washington State. Saint Mary’s lost longtime coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State on Monday, replacing him with 36-year-old assistant Mickey McConnell. Santa Clara is in danger of losing its coach, too. Herb Sendek remains a hot name for a number of available big-school jobs. Factor in the things that have made USD attractive since its sports teams were known as the Pioneers — great weather and a stunning campus, for starters — and this might actually be the Toreros’ time to shine. “We knew this day was coming where Gonzaga, Oregon State and Washington State were leaving . We knew there could be coaching changes at different institutions, as we’ve seen,” Massey said. “We feel like everything’s aligning.” JR Blount tears up while thanking his family during a press conference to announce Blount as the new mens basketball coach at USD on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in San Diego, California. Massey said he talked to more than 30 initial candidates before narrowing the field and picking Blount, a longtime assistant under TJ Otzelberger at ISU and, before that, under Niko Medved at Colorado State. While at Iowa State, Blount has been responsible for a defense that ranks fifth nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency.“Everyone comes in and says, ‘We’re going to play really fast.’ I’ll be honest: We’re going to start with defense,” Blount said. “We’re going to start with what we call dictating and disrupting the offense. That’ll be the most important thing.”“Because if we turn teams over and go the other way,” he said, “you can play transition effortlessly.” Blount rejoined his Iowa State team late Tuesday — “We were actually off today, so I won’t miss any practices,” he said — and will be on the bench Friday, when the Cyclones take on Tennessee at the Sweet 16 in Chicago. Blount said his USD staff should be announced sometime next week. It’s unclear how many of Lavin’s former players will return next season. Blount said he plans to bring in “high-character student-athletes from a lot of different realms,” including Europe.Hiker found dead after being reported missing on El Cajon Mountain east of LakesideThree San Diego warships carrying 2,500 Camp Pendleton Marines en route to Middle EastStricter San Diego hiring policy leaves 150 jobs unfilled as city prepares for budget cutsPadres plan to preserve Manny Machado as best they canA little-known tax break saves San Diego owners of historic homes tens of millions. The benefits aren’t equally shared. A little-known tax break saves San Diego owners of historic homes tens of millions. The benefits aren’t equally shared.
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