In Reply to: When evaluating a coach, it's foolish to do so based on one posted by ej on January 10, 2026 at 09:24:15
by a fast start without evaluating the competition. So let’s do a little vetting …
Jarrod Calhoun has just over a 13 year career … 12 of those years have been in Division II. At DII Fairmont State he was 124 and 38 and played in the Mountain East Conference. Not a bad record but it is D II. At Youngstown State (Not a D I program) he was a whopping 118-105. Granted he did a nice job turning the program around but again not exactly the Big 10. In his one year at Utah State he did a nice job to get to the NCAA after finishing 3rd in the Mountain West … A D I school but got blown away by an ok UCLA team by 25 points.
He is off to a fast start this year (let’s see where he finishes) … but is he ready for prime time at UCLA? Could be but remember this … in the big leagues donors are ruthless and I am not sure his unproven resume will be seen as filling up the coffers. Also, will the top recruits or portal guys want to come to a coach who has a full year and a third of D I coaching experience? Maybe because it’s UCLA and if we can pay an enough NIL but that is a gamble.
I have seen one Utah State game and was not impressed, although I did enjoy the 25 points win. I am sure he is a good coach, and you are of course entitled to your opinion, but I don’t think the Bruins should take a gamble on an unproven D I coach… In other words, if we cannot get a proven winner at the D i level, I’d stick with Cronin.
I wish him well and respect your opinion of him but and not willing to put UCLA’s present and future in his hands at this point. All speculation of course but IMO he is just not ready … eye test or no… ;-)