Marquette basketball head coach Shaka Smart has hired Jeremy Ballard as an assistant coach, following the departures of two previous assistants. Ballard comes from Florida International University (FIU), where he became the program's winningest coach with over 100 victories. His tenure at FIU included leading the Panthers to various school records, including being second in total steals nationally. Ballard previously worked with Smart at VCU, contributing to significant wins and NCAA appearances. He expressed excitement about joining Marquette and continuing a championship culture.

By the Numbers
  • Ballard is the winningest coach in FIU history with over 100 career victories.
  • Under Ballard, FIU achieved a 20-win season and set multiple school records, including 2,798 points and 10.6 steals per game.
State of Play
  • Ballard joins Marquette after the assistant coaches' exit, indicating a shift in coaching strategy.
  • Smart has emphasized the need for value addition through experienced coaching, which Ballard brings.
What's Next

Ballard is expected to leverage his coaching experience to enhance Marquette鈥檚 performance and player development, aiming for a strong upcoming season. His familiarity with Smart's coaching system may lead to immediate impacts in recruitment and defense strategies.

Bottom Line

Ballard鈥檚 hiring represents a strategic move for Marquette to build a competitive program by integrating proven leadership and successful player development, key to achieving future championships.