Jeremy Bialek has joined the Houghton College Department of Athletics as the 11th head coach of the men’s basketball program, Houghton Director of Athletics Matthew Webb announced today.
Bialek comes to Houghton after serving as assistant coach at Trinity Christian College for the past three seasons. At TCC, Bialek was charged with practice planning, game strategy, individual development, opponent scouting and video breakdown. He helped the Trolls to its best three-year cumulative winning percentage in the last nine seasons and to its first National Tournament appearance in more than 10 years. While serving as recruiting coordinator, he brought in six all-state players, an Indiana Top-15 player and New England Top-150 player. He also helped develop a Second Team All-American and three all-conference selections.
Bialek also served as the head coach for Trinity’s men’s and women’s golf programs for the past two seasons, guiding the women to its first NCCAA National Tournament appearance in program history.
“Jeremy brings years of experience both in winning basketball games, but also in developing young men,” said Webb. “With his drive to succeed on the court, his attention to detail, and his passion for investing in young men for the Kingdom, Jeremy is a natural fit to lead our program. I am optimistic about the future of Houghton men’s basketball.”
Prior to his stint at Trinity, Bialek was a coach at the high school level for more than 20 years where he won 440 games, the NCHBC National Championship, two NCHBC Midwest Regional crowns, six ICBA state titles and seven conference championships while also producing a NCHBC Maravich Award winner (National Player of the Year), a NCHBC National Defensive Player of the Year, 14 NCHBC All-Americans and 20 players who went on to play in college, with four going to NCAA Division I schools, one playing in the NBA and two playing professionally overseas.
Bialek spent 19 seasons as the head coach at Indianapolis Homeschool. During his tenure with the Wildcats, his teams compiled 14 straight winning seasons and advanced to seven National Final Fours. At the close of his WIldcat tenure, Bialek stood 15th in career wins amongst all active boys’ high school coaches in Indiana and won more state titles than any other coach in the history of the ICBA state tournament with six. In 2018-2019, his Cats ended the season ranked in the CBS Sports MaxPreps National Top 250 and as No. 8 in Indiana. Bialek’s 2017-2018 team finished the season as the second best three-point shooting high school team in the nation, making 9.8 per contest. The 2014-2015 squad averaged 85.5 points per game finishing 12th in scoring among all high schools in the U.S.
He began his career at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis as a varsity assistant from 1995-2000. In his five campaigns, the Falcons won a sectional title and finished as Marion County runners-up twice. He then spent the 2000-2001 season as a varsity assistant at Fayetteville-Manlius High School in Syracuse, N.Y. before coming back to Indiana.
“I’ve been blessed to see many special places, but there is only one Houghton College. With Houghton’s faith foundation, nationally respected academics, and growing athletic department, it is hard for me to put into words what this opportunity means to me, my wife, and the rest of Team Bialek,” said Bialek. “I am very grateful to Houghton President Wayne Lewis, Jr., Athletic Director Matt Webb, and the entire search committee for entrusting this program to me. It is time for Highlander Basketball to come to life! The climb is never easy, especially in a conference like the Empire 8, but it is always rewarding. We’re fearlessly heading to higher ground. On Houghton!”
Bialek attended high school at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, earning varsity letters in basketball, cross country and track. He played basketball under New York State Hall of Fame Coach Buddy Wleklinski, where he was part of CBA’s 1991 Sectional title.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in telecommunication arts from Butler University and a master’s degree in media management from the Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Communications.
In addition to his coaching experience, Bialek has served in academic advising and data analytics roles at Trinity, served for 11 years as a pastor and church leader, and has 10 years of experience as director of operations and sales in the radio industry.
Bialek is the son of former Utica College men’s basketball coach Joseph Bialek. He and his wife Julie have 11 children (Ali, Jair, JD, Jonah, Annalisa, Jordan, Jacob, Judah, Josiah, Jamin and Amelia).
What Others Are Saying About Coach Bialek:
“Over 13 years at Indiana Wesleyan University, we have come into contact with hundreds of coaches at all levels. Rarely have we known someone with the combination of spiritual maturity, natural leadership, and basketball success as Coach Bialek. With his heart and willingness to serve, there is no doubt he can elevate the people in any program or leadership position.”
Jeff Clark, assistant coach
Indiana Wesleyan University (NAIA)
NAIA National Champions: 2014, 2016, 2018
“Coach Bialek understands what it means to coach the heart of an athlete. It goes way beyond X’s & O’s. Although he has been extremely successful in his coaching tenure, the most impressive thing is how he goes about it. His kids truly care about him and you can tell by the way they compete. Spend an hour with Coach Bialek and you can see why. He truly is much more than just a great basketball coach.”
Scott Moore, head coach
Grace College (NAIA)
2022 NCCAA National Coach of the Year
2022 NAIA Sweet 16
“Coach Bialek is respected in basketball circles, and he is deserving of the recognition he receives. His players love him and they have won consistently because of his leadership, both on and off the floor. His leadership style is one of humility yet strength, and it’s easy to see why he’s been so successful and will continue to be.”
Boomer Roberts, head coach
Purdue University Northwest (NCAA Division II)
2017 NCCAA Region Coach of the Year
2017 NAIA Division II Sweet 16 at Trinity International
