CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah University is excited to announce the new men's basketball head coach, Rob Jeter.
The introductory press conference will be held in the Sharwan Smith Student Center Ballroom at 11am M.T. on Thursday, April 13.
Jeter will join the Thunderbird family from Western Illinois University, where he spent the last three years as the head coach. Jeter inherited a team that won just five games the year prior and in his previous two seasons, had the Leathernecks over .500 both years.
"My family and I are so excited to join the SUU family and community, we are truly blessed to have this opportunity and to continue the successes that Todd Simon has had." Said, Coach Jeter, "I want to thank Doug and President Benson for this opportunity. Let's go Thunderbirds!"
Jeter carries over 25 years of coaching experience and seven NCAA Tournament appearances. His previous stops included the University of Minnesota, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and a head coaching stint at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
In 11 years with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was awarded Coach of the Year three times and had five, 20+ win seasons. Jeter led the Panthers to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a first-round win over 6-seeded Oklahoma in 2006.
Jeter left Milwaukee (2005-2016) as its all-time winningest coach (Division I era) with an overall record of 185-170. The Panthers claimed the Horizon League's regular-season titles in 2006 and 2011 and tournament titles in 2006 and 2014.
"After conducting a nationwide search, we are confident that Rob Jeter is the right person to lead our men's basketball program. He brings an impressive resume to SUU, and we are thrilled he, Deanna, and their children are joining the T-Bird family," said SUU Athletics Director Doug Knuth.
"We are excited to welcome Rob and his family to T-Bird Nation," said SUU President Mindy Benson. "We are confident that Rob's experience and leadership skills will continue to elevate the men's basketball program and look forward to next season."
Jeter's most recent trip to the NCAAs occurred in 2019 as an assistant at Minnesota. The Gophers ended their season in the second round but earned their first tournament win in six years to go alongside another 20-win season (22-14).
Prior to Minnesota, Jeter was on staff at UNLV from 2016-18. The Runnin' Rebels doubled their wins in year two to produce a 20-win season, and Jeter had a hand in recruiting the 12th-best class in the country that included McDonald's High School All-American Brandon McCoy and National Junior College Player of the Year Shakur Juiston.
From 2001-05 Jeter was an assistant at the University of Wisconsin under Hall of Fame head coach Bo Ryan. The Badgers had much success during this run, including four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including berths in the Sweet 16 in 2003 and the Elite Eight in 2005.
Jeter played college basketball for Ryan at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and captained his team to the NCAA Division III title in 1991. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1991 and a master's from UWP in 2001.
Jeter was inducted into the UW-Platteville Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 and was also inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame class for the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He became a three-time HOFer in 2013 when Platteville's 1991 national championship team received the school's highest honor.
Jeter comes to Cedar City with his wife, Deanna, and their four children.
Testimonials
Ed Conroy – Citadel University Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Terrific hire for Southern Utah! Rob Jeter has been around winning programs his entire playing and coaching career. He is an outstanding teacher of the game that produces balanced teams which excel on both ends of the floor. His players will enjoy how he helps them develop their game and then plays to their strengths."
Marvin Menzies – University of Missouri-Kansas City Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Rob Jeter is an excellent hire for SUU! In my time working with Rob, and coaching against him it is clear he operates from a family-first mentality. This should translate well within the Cedar City community. A strong X & O's coach, as well as an excellent recruiter and developer of men. It is my opinion Rob will keep the Thunderbirds on an upward trajectory!"
Richard Pitino – University of New Mexico Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Southern Utah made an amazing hire with Rob. Coach Jeter has won everywhere he has been. His team will play the right way and will be terrific in the community. Southern Utah will be playing for championships very soon."
Bo Ryan -- Hall Of Fame Head Coach
"Rob has got a great bloodline when he got to Platteville everything turned around. As a player, he was the leader of every team he was on. As a coach, he would pick up something he wanted to do better at every job he had. He was a student of the game. He's got a very talented family, his boys are very skilled and he has done a phenomenal job coaching them up as well. He was the first assistant I hired at Milwaukee, and he was the first assistant I hired at Wisconsin. In fact, if he would've been on staff with me when I retired he would've been the head coach of Wisconsin. You guys are getting a good one there, I can promise you that. He is very hands-on, he loves to get into drills with the team, he is going to give you 100% at all times. He's been a winner everywhere he has been."
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