Story: Adam Nelson (@HD_DirtKing)
I mentioned this one earlier today in the DAILY DIRT…it’s now official. Tarleton State has hired Eric Haut as their new head men’s basketball coach. Here’s the official release from TSU:
One of the top names in the NCAA coaching carousel is now a Tarleton State Texan. Eric Haut has been named the 16th men’s basketball head coach in program history, announced Thursday by Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley and Vice President and Director of Athletics Steve Uryasz.
Haut will come to Stephenville from Utah State, where he has served as Associate Head Coach for two seasons (2024-26). The Aggies are the No. 1 seed in the 2026 Mountain West Men’s Basketball Championship and appear destined for the NCAA Tournament next week. Tarleton State will announce press conference details to introduce Haut at a later date.
“I am incredibly grateful and honored for the opportunity to lead the Tarleton State men’s basketball program,” said Haut. “I want to sincerely thank President Dr. James Hurley and Vice President and Director of Athletics Steve Uryasz for their trust and belief in our vision for the future. From the moment Shontay and I stepped on campus, it was clear that Tarleton State is a special place. The commitment from the administration, the quality of the facilities, and the level of institutional support make this a tremendous opportunity to build something special. Our family is truly excited to become part of the Tarleton State and Stephenville communities. We are grateful for the warm welcome and look forward to calling this place home. We are eager to build a championship-level program that embraces the responsibility of representing this university with competitiveness, toughness, and the grit that reflects both the student body and the Stephenville community. I can’t wait to get to work. Bleed Purple!”
Haut has helped guide the Aggies to a 51-14 (.785) record through his two seasons, plus an NCAA Tournament appearance last year, a Mountain West Championships semifinals run last year, and the MWC’s No. 1 seed and likely NCAA Tournament appearance this year. He has been an associate head coach for eight seasons across Utah State, Northern Kentucky (2021-24) and Kent State (2016-19). Altogether, Haut has coached at the NCAA level for 22 years, two at Utah State, five at Northern Kentucky (2019-24), 11 at Kent State (2005-08, 2011-19), three at TCU (2008-11) and one at Western Kentucky (2004-05).
“We’re proud to share that Eric Haut will be the next head coach for Tarleton State Men’s Basketball,” said Uryasz. “Everyone we’ve spoken to about Coach Haut throughout this process has praised his intelligence, leadership, accountability and work ethic. We’ve been so impressed with Coach Haut in our interactions and from what we’ve seen and heard. Undoubtedly, he is the right man for the job.”
Haut has consistently participated in the NCAA Tournament, with next week’s 2026 edition his likely eighth appearance. It will mark his sixth NCAA Tournament in a coaching capacity along with two from his playing days at Kent State, where he advanced to the Elite Eight.
“On behalf of Tarleton State University, we want to welcome Coach Eric Haut as our new men’s basketball head coach,” said President Hurley. “We are excited for Coach Haut and his family to join our community and build upon the legacy of our storied basketball program. I want to commend Vice President Uryasz, (CSA President) Drew Turner and the search committee for attracting some of the best candidates from all across the nation, but in the end, we got our guy!”
In 2025-26, Utah State has shined on both sides of the court, No. 1 in the conference in scoring (83.0 points per game, 39th nationally), No. 1 in steals per game (8.6, 27th nationally), No. 1 in turnover margin (+3.4 on average, 17th nationally), No. 1 in field goal percentage (.501, 14th nationally), No. 1 in assists per game (17.7, 17th nationally), No. 1 in assist/turnover ratio (1.66, 22nd nationally) and No. 1 in fast break points (14.0 per, 36th nationally).
In 2024-25, Utah State boasted one of the most efficient offenses in the nation, ranking 11th in assist/turnover ratio (1.60), 14th in assists per game (17.1) and 20th in field goal percentage (.484), leading the Mountain West in each category. Defensively, the team set a program record with 291 steals. The Aggies went 26-8 overall and 15-5 in conference, finishing third in the Mountain West and a Mountain West Championships semifinalist. The Aggies advanced to the first Round of the NCAA Tournament as a 10-seed, falling to 7-seed UCLA.
“Eric is one of the smartest basketball minds I’ve been around,” said Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun. “He was an integral part of our success over the last two years at Utah State. His ability to connect with players, teach the game, and bring energy every day makes him special. Tarleton State is getting a tremendous coach and an even better person.”
At Northern Kentucky, Haut helped the Norse to a 98-56 (.636) overall record, including a 53-31 (.631) mark in the Horizon League. Haut also helped NKU win the Horizon League twice (2019-20, 2022-23) with an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023 (2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The Norse advanced to at least the semifinals of the Horizon League Championship in all five seasons he was on staff, including three championship game appearances (2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23).
“Tarleton State has made a home run hire in Eric Haut,” said Northern Kentucky head coach Darrin Horn. “It’s really simple – Eric is a winner. Period. He is a relentless recruiter, and maybe more important in today’s college basketball, a tremendous evaluator who understands how to assemble a winning team. His team will be fun to watch because they will play hard and unselfishly on both ends. He is also a devoted family man who will connect with people and build great relationships in the Tarleton State community. Tarleton State is in great hands.”
Haut coached 11 years in total at his alma mater Kent State. During the 2016-17 season, he helped the Golden Flashes to a 22-14 record, a Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship, and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. In his first coaching stint with Kent State, the Golden Flashes made the NCAA Tournament in two of his three seasons on staff. The Golden Flashes went 28-7 overall in 2007-08 with a MAC regular season and tournament championship. In 2005-06, Kent State captured the MAC east division and tournament championships.
“Eric is going to do a fantastic job at Tarleton State,” said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff. “He is a home run coach and human being. Coach Haut has had a ‘winning impact’ everywhere he has been and knows what it takes to get Tarleton State to an elite level. I am obviously happy for him and his wife, Shontay, but equally happy for the TSU community to have him as their head men’s basketball coach.”
Haut had a storied playing career at Kent State that resulted in an NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 2002, NCAA Second Round effort in 2001. He was named a Second Team All Mid-American Conference selection, helping Kent State win a conference record 30 games during its run to the 2002 Elite Eight. He was one of the top shooters in school history, finishing with 200 three-point makes, the second-most in program history. In all, he appeared in 123 games and helped Kent State post a 98-34 overall record to go along with four consecutive Mid-American Conference East Division titles and four Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship game appearances.
A Lansing, Michigan, native, Haut graduated from Kent State in 2004 with a degree in finance.
