San Diego Hires Iowa State Assistant JR Blount as New Head Coach

Blount replaces Steve Lavin, who was fired last month after a 12-21 season.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The University of San Diego has hired JR Blount, an assistant coach at Iowa State, as its new head men's basketball coach. Blount, 38, has been part of four straight NCAA Tournament teams at Iowa State and is looking to turn around a Toreros program that has only had one winning season in the past seven years and hasn't reached the NCAA Tournament since 2008.

Why it matters

The hiring of Blount represents a pivotal moment for the San Diego men's basketball program, which has struggled in recent years. Blount is seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks and will be tasked with rebuilding the Toreros into a consistent contender in the West Coast Conference, especially with Gonzaga's pending departure for the Pac-12.

The details

Blount has spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach at Iowa State, helping the Cyclones to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances. Prior to that, he was an assistant at Colorado State for three seasons. As a player, Blount was a four-year starter at Loyola Chicago, averaging 13.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game from 2005-09.

  • Blount was hired as San Diego's new head coach on March 10, 2026.
  • He replaces Steve Lavin, who was fired last month after a 12-21 season.

The players

JR Blount

A 38-year-old assistant coach who has been part of four straight NCAA Tournament teams at Iowa State.

Steve Lavin

The former head coach of the San Diego Toreros, who was fired last month before finishing out a 12-21 season.

Kimya Massey

The athletic director at the University of San Diego, who announced Blount's hiring.

T.J. Otzelberger

The head coach at Iowa State, where Blount has served as an assistant for the past five seasons.

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What they’re saying

“JR is an outstanding leader, a relentless competitor and one of the brightest rising coaches in college basketball. Even more importantly, throughout this process I came to know him as a humble leader with strong integrity and deep family values. JR has been a part of winning at every level of his career and understands what it takes to build a program that competes with toughness, discipline and consistency. Just as importantly, he believes in developing young men holistically and leading in a way that reflects the values of this university.”

— Kimya Massey, Athletic Director, University of San Diego (statenews.net)

“I'm incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead USD men's basketball. This is more than just a coaching position for me -- it's a chance to become part of a community and build something meaningful. I come to USD with a deep desire to win -- to compete relentlessly, to develop our young men to their fullest potential and to build a program our fans can be proud of. Winning championships is important, but so is building a culture of toughness, accountability and love. We're going to work every day to represent USD the right way, on and off the court. I'm ready to get started.”

— JR Blount, New Head Coach, University of San Diego (statenews.net)

What’s next

Blount will begin assembling his coaching staff and recruiting players to help turn around the Toreros program.

The takeaway

The hiring of JR Blount represents a fresh start for the San Diego men's basketball program, which has struggled in recent years. Blount's track record of success at Iowa State and his reputation as a rising star in the coaching ranks have the Toreros optimistic that he can rebuild the program into a consistent contender in the West Coast Conference.