Welcome Coach
Mike Balado
Head Coach | Arkansas State Red Wolves
"If you play for the name on the front, the name on the back will prosper."

"If you play for the name on the front, the name on the back will prosper."
Arkansas State University has hired Mike Balado as the head coach of its men’s basketball program. Balado comes to A-State after most recently spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville. He becomes the 16th head coach in program history.
“It’s a great tribute to our emerging brand that we can hire a lead assistant from an elite program,” Mohajir said. “Without a doubt, I think there is no one in the country more prepared to lead our program at this time than Mike Balado.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to be the head men’s basketball coach at Arkansas State University,” Balado said. “The vision that (Athletics Director) Terry Mohajir and (System President) Dr. Chuck Welch have for this prestigious university is off the charts. I look forward to helping all these young men fulfill their dreams in the classroom, on the court and in life after basketball.”
Balado played collegiate basketball at St. Thomas University in Miami, where he was a two-year starter and captain, while helping his team win the regular season conference title in 1997. He was the recipient of a student-athlete leadership award as a senior and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 1998. He earned a Master’s of Education in Exercise and Sport Science from Augusta State in 2000.
A native of Miami, Fla., Balado speaks fluent Spanish. He is married to the former Alicia Nigro and the couple has twins, Aiden and Addy, born in June 2009.
Mike has proven himself to have outstanding coaching knowledge and exceptional recruiting abilities, along with the talent and desire to engage a community. Most importantly, he cares deeply about his players and their development as people, students and basketball players.
Live: A-State Athletics' press conference introducing Mike Balado as A-State Men's Basketball head coach! #WolvesUp
Posted by Arkansas State Athletics on Monday, March 20, 2017
Mike Balado is introduced by Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir as the head coach of the men’s basketball program at Arkansas State University.
Mike Balado is pictured with his wife Alicia and twins Aiden and Addy.
Mike Balado is presented with a personalized jersey by Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir.
Mike Balado visits with radio host Matt Stoltz in the locker room after his early morning press conference.
"I've been blessed with so many outstanding assistant coaches throughout my career. Mike Balado is a hard working, special person that will put Arkansas State on the college basketball map. He is an outstanding recruiter and a great tactician."
"Mike Balado is one of the top up-and-coming coaches in the country. Mike is a terrific recruiter and on-the-court coach. He will have Arkansas State competing for Sun Belt titles year in and year out."
“Mike has an incredible work ethic. He has tremendous basketball wisdom and is very energetic. There is no doubt to me, that he will be a success.”
“Mike has grinded his way through the ranks and has earned this opportunity. He has been a part of some really good teams at Louisville – and he is someone who is versatile and adaptable. He can recruit, coach and relate to people. There aren’t many coaches who can do all three.”
“It took about five minutes of talking to Coach Balado to realize he is the man to lead our basketball program. His enthusiasm, energy and experience at a high-level program make him the perfect fit. Most importantly, he made it very clear that he had done his research and wanted this job. When we made the offer he said, ‘Let’s go win some championships.’ I have no doubt that is exactly what we are about to do with Coach Balado.”
“It’s a great tribute to our emerging brand that we can hire a lead assistant from an elite program. Without a doubt, I think there is no one in the country more prepared to lead our program at this time than Mike Balado. Mike has proven himself to have outstanding coaching knowledge and exceptional recruiting abilities, along with the talent and desire to engage a community. Most importantly, he cares deeply about his players and their development as people, students and basketball players. He will do a wonderful job representing our athletics department and men’s basketball program.”
Coach Balado is the right man at the right time to lead Red Wolves Basketball. Help us continue to compete for championships and request information about season tickets.