Mayville Native Ben Jacobson Leaves Northern Iowa After 25 Years to Join Utah State

Jacobson departs UNI after leading the Panthers to 5 NCAA Tournament appearances and becoming the winningest coach in Missouri Valley Conference history.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:08am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game or match, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of navy, green, and orange, conveying the conceptual idea of transition and change in the coaching ranks.Jacobson's departure from Northern Iowa after 25 years marks the end of an era for the Panthers' basketball program.Cedar Falls Today

After 25 years with the Northern Iowa basketball program, including 20 seasons as head coach, Ben Jacobson has resigned to accept the head coaching position at Utah State. Jacobson, a Mayville, North Dakota native, leaves UNI as the winningest coach in Missouri Valley Conference history with 397 wins. He led the Panthers to 5 NCAA Tournament berths, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2010.

Why it matters

Jacobson's departure is a major loss for the Northern Iowa basketball program, which he built into a consistent contender in the Missouri Valley Conference over the past two decades. His success and longevity at UNI made him a beloved figure in the Cedar Falls community. His move to Utah State, which is joining the Pac-12 Conference, represents a significant career advancement opportunity.

The details

Jacobson, who had turned down previous offers to leave Northern Iowa, felt the timing and opportunity at Utah State was too good to pass up. The Aggies are set to join the newly expanded Pac-12 Conference on July 1. During his 20 seasons as head coach, Jacobson led the Panthers to a 397-295 (.605) record, the most wins in program history. He guided UNI to 5 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet Sixteen run in 2010.

  • Jacobson coached at the University of North Dakota from 1993 to 2000.
  • Jacobson took over as Northern Iowa's head coach in 2006 when Greg McDermott left for Iowa State.
  • This past season, Jacobson led UNI to the NCAA Tournament after the Panthers won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
  • Jacobson has agreed to a 5-year contract to become the new head coach at Utah State.

The players

Ben Jacobson

A Mayville, North Dakota native who spent 25 years with the Northern Iowa basketball program, including the last 20 as head coach. He is the winningest coach in Missouri Valley Conference history with 397 wins.

Norm Stewart

A former head coach of the Northern Iowa basketball program, leading the Panthers from 1961 to 1967 and compiling a 97-42 (.698) record.

Eldon Miller

A former head coach of the Northern Iowa basketball program, leading the Panthers from 1986 to 1998 and compiling a 164-win record.

Greg McDermott

The Northern Iowa head coach who preceded Ben Jacobson, leaving in 2006 to take the head coaching job at Iowa State.

Megan Franklin

The Northern Iowa Director of Athletics who thanked Jacobson for his 25 years of leadership and success with the Panthers' basketball program.

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What they’re saying

“The timing of it and the unique opportunity at Utah State. From a job standpoint, just the possibilities of moving into the new Pac 12 which is now going to include Gonzaga and a number of teams from the Mountain West.”

— Ben Jacobson, Head Coach

“Coach Jacobson impacted the UNI men's basketball program for 25 years. In the 125 seasons of Panther men's basketball, his leadership era will likely be reflected on as the most successful stretch in program history. His leadership meant that young men were able to pursue their goals on and off the court resulting in graduations and championships.”

— Megan Franklin, Northern Iowa Director of Athletics

What’s next

Jacobson is scheduled to be announced as Utah State's next head coach at an 11 a.m. press conference on Tuesday in Logan, Utah.

The takeaway

Jacobson's departure represents a significant loss for the Northern Iowa basketball program, which he built into a consistent winner in the Missouri Valley Conference over the past two decades. However, the opportunity to join the newly expanded Pac-12 Conference at Utah State was likely too enticing for the veteran coach to pass up as he enters the next phase of his career.