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Rick Pitino made mention of the reports earlier this week, but now it seems to be nearly official. Mike Balado appears headed to Arkansas State to be the next head coach of the Red Wolves.
Louisville assistant Mike Balado in final negotiations to become coach at Arkansas St, source told ESPN. Formal announcement expected Monday
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) March 18, 2017
"He's more than ready to be a head coach," Pitino said of Balado earlier this week. "I just want him to make sure – I don't want him to leave; I want him to stay. Same thing with Kenny Johnson and David Padgett. I want to make sure he takes the right job, because certain guys sometimes take the wrong job."
Arkansas State went 20-12 and finished third in the Sun Belt in its first season under first year head coach Grant McCasland. Earlier this week, McCasland accepted the head coaching job at North Texas.
Balado has been on Louisville’s staff since 2013, when he was added to replace Kareem Richardson after Richardson accepted the head coaching job at UMKC. Balado was recommended by Richard Pitino, who had employed Balado on his staff at Florida International.
Best of luck to Coach Balado moving forward, but let’s go ahead and extend your time at Louisville by a couple of weeks.