University of San Diego Welcomes JR Blount to Lead Torero Men’s Basketball

The University of San Diego (USD) community gathered today at the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center to welcome JR Blount as the 15th head coach of its men’s basketball program. 

Blount, a native of Milwaukee, is headed to America’s Finest City after five seasons as an assistant coach on T.J. Otzelberger's staff at Iowa State, where the Cyclones have compiled a 124-52 record, won the 2024 Big 12 Tournament Championship, and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2022, 2024 and 2026 during his tenure.

"I truly believe this is a seminal moment in the history of our basketball program and our athletic program and USD as well," said Kimya Massey, associate vice president and executive director of athletics at USD. "We have intentionally and strategically built an infrastructure for this program that will allow for success and higher expectations as we move forward. Achieving that success starts with the leadership of the program. From the very first conversation I had with JR, I knew there was something special about him. His humble nature, focus on his family, and his love and passion for basketball is evident."

Blount joins the Torero family ready to mentor the next generation of student-athletes through a culture of character and competition, employing a coaching philosophy that is rooted in the university’s mission of holistic growth and a commitment to developing leaders on and off the court. 

"I will be visible and accessible as a head coach, not just for our players, but for our student body, our campus and our community," Blount said. "I want people to see our program, feel our energy, and know that we are here to represent something bigger than ourselves. We want to build a program that is rooted in love and relentless consistency. With that comes accountability, toughness, unity and development — a program that our players are proud to be a part of, that our community can rally behind and that represents USD the right way, both on and off the court."

His arrival on campus coincides with the University of San Diego committing significant resources to ensure that its men’s and women’s basketball programs are equipped to compete at the highest level. These investments include the brand-new $35 million Basketball Performance Center, $5 million in comprehensive upgrades and renovations to the 5,100-seat Jenny Craig Pavilion, and expanded resources to support student-athletes, including access to NIL opportunities and revenue-sharing initiatives.

Blount was selected to lead the Toreros through a rapidly changing national and West Coast Conference landscape, driven by both his coaching credentials and personal character. With the departure of Gonzaga, Oregon State, and Washington State, and the addition of new member institutions — including Seattle University, which joined this past season, Denver in 2026-27, and UC San Diego in 2027-28 — the conference is entering a new era of competition and opportunity. As a product of Catholic education, his values and integrity align with the University of San Diego's mission. Across the interview process, his commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes and reputation for high moral character stood out.

"His values and his approach to coaching, and to being a husband and a father, are all very much aligned with USD's beloved mission, our vision and our core values," said President James T. Harris III, DEd. "He's the kind of person who leads with integrity, compassion and discipline. What was clear to me, and I'm sure will be clear to you very soon as you get to know him, is that JR's Catholic education has helped shape his life. I'm confident that as our next head coach, he'll be a role model for our young men in our basketball program, and a role model for everyone else on campus."

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.

Blount will be joined in San Diego by his wife Ashley and their three daughters: Maya, Zuri and Gema.

You can find video and interviews from today's event by clicking here.