Gannon University men’s basketball coach Easton Bazzoli has announced the addition of Mike Chalas as an assistant coach.

“I am absolutely fired up to have Mike joining the staff here at Gannon,” exclaimed Bazzoli. “You cannot find anyone that has a bad word to say about him. Mike is experienced in “The System” as a coach and recruiter and he is one of the best player development coaches in the country. His ability to teach the game, along with his natural connectivity as a genuine relationship builder will be a massive benefit to our program. I cannot wait for this south Florida winner to join us in Erie!”

As Bazzoli mentioned, Chalas is very familiar with “The System”, which Gannon coach Jordan Fee instituted a year ago at Gannon and Bazzoli intends to continue with the Golden Knights. Chalas has served on Jim Crutchfield’s coaching staff at Nova Southeastern since 2021-22, working with Fee for two seasons. Chalas was the Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development.

Nova Southeastern won the Division II national championship in 2022-23, finishing with a perfect 36-0 record while leading Division II in scoring. This past season the Sharks advanced to the Division II championship game before losing on a late 3-pointer to Minnesota State, 88-85. The Sharks finished at 32-3. In 2021-22 Nova Southeastern also reached the Elite Eight, ending the year at 31-1 with the lone loss coming in the semifinals. All told Nova Southeastern was 99-4 during Chalas’ three seasons.

Now Chalas will look to continue the incredible turnaround Fee and Bazzoli engineered this past season.  “This is an honor,” related Chalas. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I am excited to get to work alongside Coach Bazzoli and continue to add to the success they have brought to the program. Can’t wait to be in the beautiful city of Erie, Pennsylvania and be part of the amazing support that GU has!”

Chalas was part of a coaching staff that led Nova Southeastern to its first Sunshine State Conference championship in 2022, followed by titles in 2023 and 2024. The Sharks won back-to-back-to-back NCAA South Regional titles. As Director of Player Development Chalas worked with two Division II National Players of the Year — Sekou Sylla in 2022 and RJ Sunahara in 2023.

Originally from Pembroke Pines, Fla., Chalas returned to his alma mater, where he played a combined 58 games as a Shark from 2014-16. Chalas started 19 games as a senior in 2015-16. As a senior he averaged 4.8 ppg. while finishing second on the team in assists with 53 and third in 3-pointers with 35.

Chalas has created Synergy Basketball Academy, a company that focuses on developing the skills of a wide range of players including those at the high school and college level. 

“Mike Chalas has been an integral part of our success here at Nova Southeastern University,” commented Nova Southeastern head coach Jim Crutchfield. “Though his strength has lied in the development of our players both physically and mentally, his abilities as a coach have evolved in every aspect of our profession. Highly organized and focused, Mike has taken on a larger role in both the day to day practices and game day preparations. His development of our players has been obvious, but what I’ve witnessed over the past three years has been the development of himself. Mike is really good at what he does and the cool thing is that he’s only getting better.”