Weber State University Athletics
Photo by: Robert Casey
Kaleb Canales introduced as new Weber State men’s basketball head coach
4/3/2026 2:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Canales comes to Weber State with more than 25 years of coaching experience, including 18 seasons in the NBA.
A new chapter of Wildcat basketball officially began Friday as Kaleb Canales was introduced as the new head coach of the Weber State men's basketball program.
Canales is the 11th head coach in the program's Division I history and arrives in Ogden with nearly two decades of NBA coaching experience. He also spent last season as the associate head coach at Troy, where he helped lead the team to the NCAA Tournament.
He was introduced to the public on Friday following the announcement of his hire.
In his lone season at Troy, Canales helped guide the Trojans to a 22–12 record, capturing both the Sun Belt regular-season and tournament championships, and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
A native of Laredo, Texas, Canales began his coaching career in 2001 as a high school assistant coach before moving to the collegiate ranks at UT Arlington for the 2003-04 season, where he helped lead the Mavericks to a Southland Conference title.
He then embarked on an 18-year career in the NBA, beginning with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2005 as a video intern. He was promoted to video coordinator, then to assistant coach in 2009.
In 2012, he served as the Trail Blazers' interim head coach for 23 games and became the first Hispanic head coach in NBA history. He also served as Portland's head coach in the NBA Summer League.
Canales then spent five seasons as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks (2013–18), followed by two years with the New York Knicks and one season with the Indiana Pacers.
In 2023, he was named associate head coach of the Texas Legends in the NBA G League. He also served as head coach of the Calgary Surge in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
Canales, 47, has also been an active participant in the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program and has served as associate head coach of the Mexico Men's National Team since 2021.
He earned his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from UT Arlington in 2001 and a master's degree in Sports Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth in 2005.
He and his wife Cristi, have a son, Bauer, and a daughter, Sloane.
Canales is the 11th head coach in the program's Division I history and arrives in Ogden with nearly two decades of NBA coaching experience. He also spent last season as the associate head coach at Troy, where he helped lead the team to the NCAA Tournament.
He was introduced to the public on Friday following the announcement of his hire.
In his lone season at Troy, Canales helped guide the Trojans to a 22–12 record, capturing both the Sun Belt regular-season and tournament championships, and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
A native of Laredo, Texas, Canales began his coaching career in 2001 as a high school assistant coach before moving to the collegiate ranks at UT Arlington for the 2003-04 season, where he helped lead the Mavericks to a Southland Conference title.
He then embarked on an 18-year career in the NBA, beginning with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2005 as a video intern. He was promoted to video coordinator, then to assistant coach in 2009.
In 2012, he served as the Trail Blazers' interim head coach for 23 games and became the first Hispanic head coach in NBA history. He also served as Portland's head coach in the NBA Summer League.
Canales then spent five seasons as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks (2013–18), followed by two years with the New York Knicks and one season with the Indiana Pacers.
In 2023, he was named associate head coach of the Texas Legends in the NBA G League. He also served as head coach of the Calgary Surge in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
Canales, 47, has also been an active participant in the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program and has served as associate head coach of the Mexico Men's National Team since 2021.
He earned his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from UT Arlington in 2001 and a master's degree in Sports Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth in 2005.
He and his wife Cristi, have a son, Bauer, and a daughter, Sloane.
The new head ball coach!
— Weber State Men's Basketball (@WeberStateMBB) April 3, 2026
Welcome Kaleb Canales!
??@13_assist #WeAreWeber // #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/mNodKcFEwF
Kaleb Canales introduced as new Weber State men's basketball head coach - 04/03/26
Friday, April 03
Kaleb Canales introduced as new WSU head coach
Friday, April 03
Viljami Vartiainen made seven 3-pointers in Weber State win over Montana - 02/21/26
Thursday, February 26
2025-26 Weber State Men's Basketball intro hype video
Thursday, February 26