With Joe Scott Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for the Air Force Falcons in 2026-2027? Who Should Replace Joe Scott in 2026?
Full Story on Scott Being Fired as Air Force’s Head Coach
The Falcons own one of the worst records in college basketball so far this season. In fact, Air Force just secured its third straight 20-loss campaign and its fifth over the last seven years. Due to a lack of improvement from the men’s basketball program, the school decided to make a coaching change. In the midst of the ongoing 19-game losing streak, the university fired Joe Scott after six seasons in his second stint as head coach. He was initially suspended indefinitely back in January because of reports of cadet-student mistreatment. Assistant coach Jon Jordan took over the team on an interim basis and will continue to do so for the remainder of 2025-2026.
At the time of the decision, the 3-23 Falcons have not won a basketball game in nearly three months. Air Force will likely finish dead last in the Mountain West Conference standings for the third consecutive year. Perhaps the college basketball squad’s biggest win of this season so far came on November 19, where they edged out Alabama State 66-64.
In 14 games during the 2025-2026 season, the defense gave up 80 points or more per contest. On the other side, the offense has only scored 65 points or less per contest in 18 games this year. Scott became the fourth men’s basketball head coach to be fired this season after Steve Lavin (San Diego), Jerome Tang (Kansas State), and Marvin Menzies (Kansas City).
Joe Scott’s Career with the Air Force Falcons
Scott took over as the leading man in Colorado Springs in 2022 after the dismissal of Dave Pilipovich. In his return to the program, the former was unable to take the Falcons to any March Madness tournaments. Air Force has not accomplished a winning record since finishing 18-14 during the 2012-2013 campaign. Also, the team has not played in the NCAA Tournament since the Round of 64 in 2006. The men’s basketball club has never made it past the first round of the NCAA Tournament in its history. Overall, Scott compiled a 97-183 record and 36-119 in the Mountain West Conference (both stints).
Before rejoining the Air Force, Scott served as an assistant coach for Georgia (2018-2020) and Holy Cross (2016-2018). He did have prior head coaching experience for Denver (2007-2016), Princeton (2004-2007), and Air Force (2000-2004). Scott helped the Pioneers reach the NIT Tournament in 2013 as well as two 20-win seasons. In his first stint with Air Force, Scott led the Falcons to the NCAA Tournament in 2004.
What’s Next for the Air Force Falcons?
Many Falcons college basketball fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Joe Scott in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Scott as Air Force Falcons Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Joe Scott as Air Force HC
Internal Candidates
Jon Jordan-Air Force
- Air Force Assistant Coach (2000-2005)
- Denver Assistant Coach (2007-2016)
- Air Force Assistant Coach (2022-2026)
- Air Force Interim Head Coach (2026-Present)
Top Head Coach Candidates for Air Force Falcons to Consider
Matt Logie-Montana State
- Lehigh Assistant Coach (2007-2009)
- Lehigh Associate HC (2009-2011)
- Whitworth HC (2011-2019)
- Point Loma HC (2019-2023)
- Montana State HC (2023-Present)
- 12-8 Record with Bobcats This Season
- Took Montana State to the NCAA Tournament in 2024
Jerrod Calhoun-Utah State
- Walsh Assistant Coach (2004-2007)
- West Virginia Assistant Coach (2007-2012)
- Fairmont State HC (2012-2017)
- Youngstown State HC (2017-2024)
- Utah State HC (2024-Present)
- 22-3 Record with Aggies This Season
- Helped Utah State Reach NCAA Tournament in 2025
- Also Led Fighting Falcons to DII National Championship Game in 2017
Jerome Tang-Kansas State
- Heritage Christian Academy-TX HC (1993-2003)
- Baylor Assistant Coach (2003-2017)
- Baylor Associate HC (2017-2022)
- Kansas State HC (2022-2026)
- Guided Wildcats to Elite Eight in 2023
- Also Won 2021 National Championship with Bears
Josh Schertz-Saint Louis
- High Point Associate HC (2003-2008)
- Lincoln Memorial HC (2008-2021)
- Indiana State HC (2021-2024)
- Saint Louis HC (2024-Present)
- 24-1 Record with Billikens This Season
- Led Saint Louis to NIT Tournament in 2025
- Also Helped Railsplitters Reach NCAA DII Tournament Trips
- 3 Final Four Berths with Lincoln Memorial
- Coached in 2016 DII National Championship Game
Leading Candidate to Replace Joe Scott as Falcons HC in 2026
Eric Olen-New Mexico
- UC San Diego Assistant Coach (2004-2013)
- UC San Diego HC (2013-2015)
- New Mexico HC (2025-Present)
- 18-4 Record with Lobos This Season
- Guided Tritons to NCAA DI Tournament in 2025
- Also Took San Diego to 2 NCAA DII Sweet 16 Appearances
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