SAN DIEGO — University of San Diego Athletics has named JR Blount the 15th head coach in San Diego men's basketball program history, USD Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Kimya Massey announced on Monday. 

Blount arrives in San Diego with a reputation as one of college basketball's rising coaching talents after helping lead Iowa State to four NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons.

He joins the Toreros after five seasons on T.J. Otzelberger's staff at Iowa State, where the Cyclones compiled a 124-52 record during his tenure, won the 2024 Big 12 Tournament Championship and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2022 and 2024 — one of the most successful stretches in program history. Iowa State finished in the AP Top 15 in each of those four seasons and climbed as high as No. 2 nationally in each of the last two years. During the 2025-26 season, the Cyclones opened with a 16-0 start, highlighted by victories over No. 1 Purdue, No. 2 Houston, No. 9 Kansas and No. 14 St. John's.

"After a thorough and highly competitive national search, we are proud to welcome JR Blount as the next head coach of USD men's basketball," said Massey. "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. 

"This is a pivotal moment for our program and JR's vision aligns with our belief that San Diego men's basketball should compete in the upper tier of the WCC and position itself to be a regular NCAA Tournament participant. We are excited about what lies ahead under his leadership."

"As a product of Catholic education and deeply committed to USD's mission and values, Coach Blount is an outstanding role model for the young men in our Torero basketball program," said USD President James T. Harris III. "He brings an impressive resume with deep experience, a winning track record and — above all — a commitment to the overall wellbeing of our student-athletes."
 
"I'm incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead USD men's basketball," Blount said. "We are so thankful to Athletic Director Kimya Massey and President Harris for this opportunity. This is more than just a coaching position for me — it's a chance to become part of a community and build something meaningful. My wife and our three daughters are excited to make this move together and we can't wait to invest in this university and the relationships that make it special. 
 
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."

Blount played a key role in Iowa State's rise under Otzelberger, helping orchestrate one of the most significant program turnarounds in recent Division I history. In his first season with the Cyclones in 2021-22, Iowa State rebounded from a two-win campaign the year before to finish 22-13 and advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Cyclones quickly established a national reputation for defensive toughness, ranking among the nation's best in scoring defense, defensive efficiency, steals and turnovers forced.

Over the next three seasons, Blount helped Iowa State sustain that momentum. In 2022-23, the Cyclones advanced to the NCAA Tournament and recorded nine wins over AP Top 25 opponents, tied for the most in school history. In 2023-24, Iowa State won the Big 12 Championship, finished 29-8, posted an undefeated 18-0 record at Hilton Coliseum and advanced to the Sweet 16. Most recently, the 2024-25 Cyclones finished 25-10, climbed as high as No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, earned another NCAA Tournament appearance and closed the season ranked No. 17 nationally.

Known for his work in player development, recruiting and culture-building, Blount has mentored multiple all-conference and All-America caliber players throughout his coaching career. At Iowa State, he developed some of the Big 12's top performers while contributing to a program identity rooted in toughness, connectivity and competitive excellence.

Prior to Iowa State, Blount spent three seasons at Colorado State, where he helped elevate the Rams into one of the Mountain West's top programs. During his tenure in Fort Collins, Colorado State signed the highest-rated recruiting class in program history and posted consecutive 20-win seasons, including a 20-8 finish and a run to the NIT semifinals in 2020-21. He also played a leadership role in Colorado State's Together Initiative, which promoted social justice and racial equality on campus.

Blount also previously served in coaching roles at Drake and Saint Leo and began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where the program won the 2010 NCAA Division III National Championship.

A former three-year team captain and two-time team MVP at Loyola University Chicago, Blount later played professionally for the Leicester Riders of the British Basketball League during the 2010-11 season. He earned degrees in psychology and sociology from Loyola in 2009 and later received his master's degree in education from UW-Stevens Point in 2012.

A native of Milwaukee, Blount and his wife, Ashley, have three daughters: Maya, Zuri and Gema.

What They're Saying … About Head Coach JR Blount

"Coach Blount's vast impact on our program has propelled us to three straight 25-plus-win seasons. His innate ability to teach, develop and maximize his players' talents separates him in the basketball coaching world. JR is a skilled teacher, gifted recruiter and an amazing tactical, in-game coach. JR, his wife Ashley, and their three daughters — Maya, Zuri and Gema — will not only be a tremendous asset to the Torero basketball family, but they will also be valued members of the community. Torero Basketball is in great hands." — T.J. Otzelberger, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Iowa State
 
"JR is the entire package! He is a terrific teacher, great connector, tireless worker, and knows how to evaluate and recruit. He is also a tremendous person and family man. I am so thrilled to see him get this opportunity. San Diego got a great one!" — Niko Medved, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Minnesota
 
"JR is a winner in every sense of the word. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the habits, discipline, and attention to detail that championship programs are built on. JR is a high-character, high-integrity coach who is deeply passionate about teaching the game and developing young people. San Diego is getting a driven leader, an outstanding teacher, and a great family man who will build a successful men's basketball program." — Daniyal Robinson, Head Men's Basketball Coach, North Texas
 
"JR is so ready for this opportunity. I have worked closely with Coach Otzelberger over the past several years, helping mentor and prepare JR for this day. JR will bring the same effort, accountability, and respect to the USD program that he helped foster at Iowa State. The USD student-athletes, administration and fans will be proud to have JR as their head coach." — Jamie Pollard, Director of Athletics, Iowa State
 
"JR Blount is one of my best friends and one of the best coaches and people I know. He's an incredible developer, a great leader, and someone who genuinely impacts everyone around him. I'm thrilled for JR and his family — the University of San Diego is getting a special person and coach." — Ali Farokhmanesh, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Colorado State
 
"JR Blount possesses the whole package. He's a tireless worker who's won everywhere he's been. He builds deep relationships with players that drive performance. And his top-notch character is what any set of parents would want their son around. This is a home run hire for San Diego!" — Shaka Smart, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Marquette
 
"JR Blount is an outstanding hire for the University of San Diego. Having known JR since he was a high school player in Milwaukee, I have seen him grow tremendously in this sport and know he is the leader that can take the Toreros to another level. He has a special talent to build a strong culture and form genuine relationships with his players, the community and alumni. On the court, he has an outstanding strategic mind and ability to prepare his team to contend for championships. I look forward to watching his continued success."
— Dennis Gates, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Missouri
 
"Salute to JR on becoming the head coach at the University of San Diego. What a tremendous honor! JR is a relentless worker who believes in building young men on and off the court. He takes pride in the fundamentals, developing players on the offensive end, and building elite defense that travels every night. More importantly, he's a man of character who pours into his players and holds them to a championship standard. USD is in great hands!" — Cuonzo Martin, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Missouri State