Ball State men’s basketball coach Chris Capko has named four assistant coaches among a cast of six full-time hires to complete his staff prior to the 2026-27 basketball season.
Hired March 20 as the Cardinals’ new coach, Capko has assembled a staff that mirrors his own strengths – regarded for recruiting, pro development, analytics and organizational efficiency – and has heavy ties to the Midwest and Mid-American Conference.
Assistant coach Pershin Williams is the staff’s most experienced new hire, working the past three years at Georgia Tech following a four-year stint at Kennesaw State and three at Columbus State. Overall, his 13 years of college coaching experience include a penchant for recruiting, including a top-20 class at Georgia Tech. He has NCAA Tournament experience at both Kennesaw State and Columbus State, and his infectious personality has helped him grow into an up-and-coming talent in college coaching.
“I have known Pershin for over 15 years as a friend, colleague and coach,” said Capko. “I know how hard he works and have full confidence our program will benefit from his leadership. Pershin has experience at every level of college basketball and will be instrumental in helping us recruit and develop student-athletes who will help us compete for championships in the MAC. He will fit in seamlessly with the rest of the staff to help us hit the ground running.”
Returning to the Ball State staff is assistant coach John Clancy, who coached the 2025-26 season with the Cardinals and was retained by Capko. Prior to joining the Ball State staff a year ago, Clancy spent two years as an assistant at Western Illinois, and prior to that spent two years as head coach at Triton College in River Grove, Illinois, where the team advanced to the NJCAA national semifinals. He was named the Region IV Coach of the Year and IBCA Junior College Coach of the Year. Clancy has extensive ties to the state of Illinois, including four years at Southern Illinois where he worked as director of operations, and in the Chicagoland area where he began his coaching career at the high school level.
Added Capko: “John is one of the most energetic and hardest-working people in the business. We have gotten to know each other very well over the past 5-10 years. He was a successful junior college coach at Triton and another guy who has a great feel for the MAC and the Midwest. I know John will bring the right energy and effort every day to help compete for championships, and I am so happy that we get this opportunity to work together.”
An Indiana native who played four seasons at Wabash College, Jordan Surenkamp spent the past season at Radford University, following nearly a decade in the NBA. He was an assistant and head coach in the G-League from 2021-22 to 2024-25, spending time in the Pelicans’ and Hornets’ organizations. He coached the Hornets Summer League team in 2002, and served for two seasons as the Hornets’ video coordinator. He began his coaching career at South Alabama as a graduate assistant in 2013, prior to venturing into the NBA.
“I am excited that Jordan has decided to join our staff at Ball State,” said Capko. “I met Jordan when he was a GA at South Alabama and have seen him work himself through the business. His experience as a G-League head coach will be extremely valuable to me and the staff. Jordan has worked with some of the best coaches in basketball and his experience at both the professional and college levels will benefit the program.”
Manny Dosanjh comes to Ball State after four years on the sidelines at MAC rival Western Michigan. The Broncos reached the MAC Tournament in two of his four seasons at WMU. Prior to joining the Broncos, he was a grad assistant at Michigan State for two years. Dosanjh was a junior college Academic All-American while playing at Delta College (2015-17), prior to playing and graduating from Oral Roberts – and beginning his coaching career at Orangeville Prep in Ontario, Canada.
“Manny and I have gotten to know each other very well throughout the past five years,” added Capko. “He has an infectious spirit and special ability to relate with student-athletes today. I know he is a relentless worker, top notch person and one of the best young coaches in the game. His experience in the Midwest and our conference is very important to me and something I know I will be able to lean on. Our program will benefit greatly from Manny and I’m excited for his future at Ball State.”
Capko has hired Beruk Asfaw as the Cardinals’ director of basketball operations, a post he has held the past two years at Towson State, and one season at Pacific. Prior to his stint at Pacific, Asfaw was a graduate assistant at USC while Capko was the Trojans’ associate head coach.
“Beruk and I worked together for two years at USC. He is very sharp, detailed, organized and someone I trust will carry out with detail, some of the most important parts of our program. Beruk will be dedicated to this program and has a bright future ahead of him as a coach in this business.”
Rounding out the staff is Ellis Spar who joins the program as video coordinator and director of analytics and strategy. He recently finished two years as a grad assistant at Providence, and spent three undergraduate years working with Capko as a student manager at USC.
“Ellis was a student manager for us during my tenure at USC. I thoroughly enjoyed being around him every day and always knew, that if I was in position to hire him, I would. He is very sharp, detailed, organized and passionate about the game. He will be an incredible coach and will be an integral part of our program here at Ball State.”
