The Sun Belt Conference's 2026‑27 men's basketball season will introduce three fresh faces on the sidelines, as Jon Cremins, Ryan Cross and Adam Howard accept head‑coaching posts at Georgia State, the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Troy University respectively. Their appointments follow extensive assistant careers that have helped shape competitive programs across the league.
Cremins' Path to Georgia State
A native of Atlanta, Cremins spent eight years on Mark Byington's staff, rotating through Georgia Southern, James Madison and Vanderbilt before joining the Panthers. Prior to his collegiate work, he guided Spartanburg Methodist College to a 55‑11 record and consecutive NJCAA Division I Championship game appearances, showcasing a knack for rapid program development.
Cross at ULM
Ryan Cross arrives in Monroe after six seasons at UAB, where his contributions helped the Blazers secure two NCAA Tournament berths and an NIT appearance. Before that, he served eight years under Keith Richard at ULM, a period that included three of the Warhawks' most successful campaigns in Sun Belt history.
Howard's New Challenge at Troy
Adam Howard succeeds Scott Cross, who steered the Trojans to back‑to‑back regular‑season and tournament titles. Howard brings a résumé that includes assistant roles at NC State, Nebraska, South Alabama, Morehead State, Southern Miss, Tennessee and his alma mater Western Kentucky, where he reached the Sweet 16 as a 12‑seed in 2008.
The influx of seasoned assistants turned head coaches signals the conference's intent to maintain its recent competitive edge, as each newcomer blends recruiting acumen, tactical depth and a deep familiarity with Sun Belt dynamics.