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."
Welcome Coach
Head Coach | Arkansas State Red WolvesThe New Leader of The Pack
Welcome Coach Balado
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.
Experience
A lead assistant from an elite program
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.
University of Louisville
Assistant Coach
2013 - 2017During Balado’s four seasons working with head coach Rick Pitino at Louisville, the Cardinals posted a 106-32 overall record for a .768 winning percentage. In the 2016-17 campaign, he helped lead Louisville to a 25-9 record and a No. 2 seed in the Midwest Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
Florida International
Assistant Coach
2012 - 2013During the 2012-13 season, Coach Balado helped the Florida International University Panthers to an 18-14 record, their first winning season in 13 years and fourth-highest win total in school history.
High Point University
Assistant Coach
2009 - 2012Balado worked three seasons at High Point University (2009-12) as an assistant coach. He assisted in all areas of the Panther basketball program with a heavy concentration on recruiting.
University of Miami
Assistant Coach
2008 - 2009Coach Balado helped the Hurricanes compile a 19-13 record and a berth in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). With the Hurricanes, he worked on player development, scouting and game preparation.
Florida Atlantic University
Assistant Coach
2005 - 2008Balado spent three years on the Florida Atlantic University basketball staff. In his first two seasons at FAU (2005-07), the Owls had consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the 1990s. The Owls produced their best Atlantic Sun Conference record in school history (14-6) in his first season at FAU. The 2007-08 team set a program records with 2,367 points scored and 1,150 rebounds.
Media
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
Introduction Press Conference
Mike Balado is introduced by Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir as the head coach of the men’s basketball program at Arkansas State University.
Coach Balado and Family
Mike Balado is pictured with his wife Alicia and twins Aiden and Addy.
Welcome to the Pack
Mike Balado is presented with a personalized jersey by Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir.
Meeting with the Media
Mike Balado visits with radio host Matt Stoltz in the locker room after his early morning press conference.
What They're Saying
Rick Pitino
Louisville Head Coach
"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."
Richard Pitino
Minnesota Head Coach
"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."
Dick Vitale
ESPN College Basketball Analyst
“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.”
Jeff Goodman
ESPN College Basketball Insider
“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.”
Dr. Chuck Welch
ASU System President
“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.”
Terry Mohajir
A-State Director of Athletics
“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.”
Contact
Convocation Center
217 Olympic Drive
Jonesboro, AR 72401
217 Olympic Drive
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone
870-972-2781
870-972-2781