After leading the Baker University men’s basketball team to a record of 33-30 over two seasons and making an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament, head coach Brett Ballard is parting ways with BU to be an assistant coach at the University of Tulsa.
The announcement comes one day after University of Kansas Assistant Coach Danny Manning accepted the head coaching job with Tulsa. Manning and Ballard both spent time as the director of basketball operations at Kansas under head coach Bill Self and also served in other roles on Self’s staff at KU. Both Ballard and Manning were on Self’s staff when the Jayhawks won a national championship in 2008.
While Ballard is excited to be one of Manning’s assistants with the Golden Hurricane, he is thankful for the time he was able to spend as Baker’s head coach.
“Well it is just so bittersweet for me right now,” Ballard said. “I’m just torn up inside that I won’t be able to coach these kids next year. You know, I am excited. It is an incredible opportunity and I feel great going to work for a guy that I have the upmost respect for in Coach Manning.”
Ballard indicated that there will be a press conference at Tulsa next week and he will assume his duties as an assistant coach shortly after.
Although the Wildcats were surprised by Ballard’s decision, junior Ben Steinlage explained that the team is pleased Ballard got the chance to go with Manning.
“Just kind of speaking on behalf of everybody, I guess, but no one obviously saw this coming,” junior Ben Steinlage said. “You know, at the same time, this was a great opportunity for him and he deserves it by all means. He’s a great coach. Certainly no one is mad at him and, you know, he’s a great guy.”
Athletic Director Theresa Yetmar led the committee to hire Ballard two years ago and University President Pat Long believes Yetmar can make another successful acquisition.
“Athletic Director Theresa Yetmar will begin the search for a new coach immediately, and I am confident in her leadership to find us another outstanding coach,” Long said via email. “Rest assured, Baker basketball is on the upswing. We all look forward to many more trips to Municipal Auditorium for the NAIA Championships in the near future.”