D.J. Balentine promoted to Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach
UE’s all-time leading scorer returned to the program in 2023
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Following his first season on the University of Evansville men’s basketball coaching staff, D.J. Balentine has been promoted to Assistant Coach for the Purple Aces.
“Anyone who has spent time around DJ, the person, quickly learns how positively contagious his energy is. Anyone who has spent time with DJ, the basketball coach, quickly learns how great of a basketball mind DJ has,” Aces head coach David Ragland exclaimed. “DJ did a wonderful job in year one of preparing and presenting our player personnel portion of each scout. He does a really good job helping our student athletes display confidence in their game by clearly communicating directions so that they can effectively execute what is being asked of them.”
“We were excited to bring DJ back home last season and now ecstatic to elevate him as an assistant coach as he has earned this opportunity through his hard work and commitment to our program.”
Balentine joined Coach Ragland’s staff in 2023 as the Director of Player Development. His work helped UE advance to the postseason for the first time since 2015 when the Aces won the CIT Championship. Balentine was a junior on that squad.
“I couldn’t be more thankful to continue to build success at a place that means so much to me. This University is special, and with that being said, I want to thank everyone in athletics and administration for this opportunity to elevate my position,” Balentine said. “I am extremely grateful for Coach Rags and the rest of the staff; he has given me much responsibility and instilled confidence in me to further my coaching and to better this program. With Coach Ragland and the entire staffs’ ability, even greater things are on the horizon. GO ACES!”
