Fairmont State Head Men's Basketball Coach Jerrod Calhoun Steps Down to Accept Position at Division I Youngstown State University
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on March 27, 2017 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Fairmont State head men's basketball coach Jerrod Calhoun has stepped down to accept the same position at Youngstown State University, a NCAA Division I program that competes in the Horizon League."We are extremely happy for Jerrod and his family and wish them the best of luck at Youngstown State," said Director of Athletics Tim McNeely. "Over the past five seasons, Jerrod has built the Fairmont State basketball program into a regional and national power, capped by the school's first NCAA Division II National Championship Game appearance last week in Sioux Falls."
"Jerrod has received an excellent opportunity to coach Division I basketball in his home state and we congratulate and thank him for everything that he has done for Fairmont State University and the city of Fairmont," McNeely added.
Calhoun wrapped up his fifth season at Fairmont State by leading the Falcons to their first-ever NCAA Division II Championship Game appearance, falling to Northwest Missouri State 71-61 in the finals. Fairmont's historic 2016-17 season included its first regular season conference championship in 21 years and the programs second NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance. Fairmont's 34 wins this season were also a single-season program record.
In five seasons at Fairmont State, Calhoun compiled a record of 124-38, totaling five 20-win seasons and four NCAA Tournament appearances while at FSU. Calhoun was named the 2017 Mountain East Conference and Basketball Times National Coach of the Year.
Photo is courtesy of Fairmont State University. Below is a letter from Coach Jerrod Calhoun to Falcon fans and the Fairmont community:
A letter from Coach Calhoun to the Fairmont community
My family and I cannot thank the Fairmont State community enough for the support we have received over the last five years. I am proud of everything we accomplished, proud to leave the program in great shape for the future and thankful for the incredible memories and relationships made.
I have an incredible opportunity to return to Northeast Ohio and become the head men's basketball coach at Youngstown State University. As I weighed my options and explored this opportunity I found many similarities to the situation I am leaving here. You build with people, and I am forever grateful for the people who supported us in every imaginable way.
We had tremendous moments and seasons here, all of which were made possible by the effort and passion put forth by our players. Our administration and fans brought similar passion, and being able to head up a program that made so many people proud is one of the biggest honors of my life.
Fairmont State Basketball will continue to thrive. Again, I can't say enough about Dr. Rose and the administration and the fans who make the program unique. We were fortunate enough to recruit champions, and those players will continue to give Fairmont State their best on and off the floor.
I'll be watching from afar, and I am fully confident the Falcons will keep winning. This was a difficult decision for me because Fairmont State is a special place and will always hold a special place in my heart.
I will always be a Falcon. Thank you.
Coach Calhoun
