San Diego Hires Iowa State Assistant as New Head Coach

JR Blount will take over the Toreros program after serving as an assistant with the Cyclones.

Mar. 9, 2026 at 8:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to sources, the University of San Diego has hired Iowa State assistant coach JR Blount as its next head coach. Blount has spent the past several seasons as an assistant with the Cyclones program.

Why it matters

This hiring represents a significant move for the San Diego Toreros basketball program as they look to rebuild and return to prominence in the West Coast Conference. Blount is seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks and his arrival could help energize the program and attract top talent.

The details

JR Blount has been an assistant coach at Iowa State for the past 4 seasons, helping the Cyclones reach the NCAA Tournament in 3 of those years. Prior to that, he served as an assistant at several other Division I programs, establishing a reputation as a strong recruiter and player development coach.

  • Blount has been an assistant coach at Iowa State since 2022.

The players

JR Blount

An up-and-coming assistant coach who has spent the past 4 seasons at Iowa State, helping the Cyclones reach the NCAA Tournament 3 times.

University of San Diego

A Division I basketball program that competes in the West Coast Conference and is looking to hire a new head coach to revitalize their program.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“JR Blount is one of the brightest young minds in college basketball and we’re thrilled to have him lead our program.”

— University of San Diego Athletic Director (University of San Diego Press Release)

What’s next

Blount will be formally introduced as the new head coach of the San Diego Toreros at a press conference on Monday, March 13th.

The takeaway

The hiring of JR Blount as the new head coach of the San Diego Toreros represents a significant investment in the program's future, as they look to leverage Blount's strong recruiting and player development skills to return the team to the NCAA Tournament.