Jeremy Bialek joined the Houghton University Department of Athletics as the 11th head coach of the men's basketball program in May 2022.
In his first three seasons, Bialek has already collected as many wins as Houghton teams had accumulated in the previous six years combined. This past season, the Highlanders qualified for the NCCAA National Championship Tournament for the first time since 1983, achieved their first winning regular season record in 30 years, and won the most conference games (8) since joining NCAA Division III while qualifying for their second straight appearance in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament. During his tenure, Bialek has led the Highlanders to first-time victories over four different programs (John Jay, Sage, St. John Fisher, and SUNY Geneseo) while snapping long losing streaks against rivals Alfred and Alfred State. Prior to his arrival, only three Houghton men's players had received Empire 8 All-Conference awards during the school's membership (and never more than one in a season). In just the last two seasons, four Highlanders have been honored as all-conference. This season, Jajuan Preaster, Lou Bellamy, and Christian Sage all received Second Team All-Conference honors. The NCCAA awarded each of those players Midwest All-Region with Lou Bellamy and Jajuan Preaster named to the First Team while Christian Sage was Second Team. D3 Hoops further recognized two of those players as NCAA All-Region: Jajuan Preaster (Second Team) and Lou Bellamy (Third Team). Over the last two campaigns, individual players led conference statistical categories as well (Lou Bellamy in rebounds, Preston Thomas in three-point field goals, and Trey Flatt in steals). Jajuan Preaster also finished his career as the only Houghton player to record 1500+ points, 500+ rebounds, 250+ assists, and 150+ steals. In 24-25, Houghton finished atop the E8 in team assists/game. The previous season, the Purple & Gold topped the conference in steals. The Highlanders have also raised their performance in the classroom, producing three NCCAA Scholar-Athletes and 11 members of the NABC Honors Court. The 2024-2025 squad received the NABC's Team Academic Excellence Award as well.
Bialek came to Houghton after serving as assistant coach at Trinity Christian College for three seasons. At TCC, Bialek was charged with practice planning, game strategy, individual development, opponent scouting, recruiting, and video breakdown. He helped the Trolls to their best three-year cumulative winning percentage in 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. While at Trinity, Bialek also served as the head coach for Trinity's men's and women's golf programs for two seasons, guiding the women to their first NCCAA National Tournament appearance in program history.
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 18 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 among all active boys' high school coaches in Indiana (440) 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 for all classes 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 nation.
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 before heading back to Indiana.
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 served in academic advising and data analytics roles at Trinity, spent 11 years as a lead pastor, and worked for over a decade in radio in on-air, director of operations, and sales capacities.
Bialek is the son of former Utica University men's basketball coach Joseph Bialek. He and his wife Julie have 12 children (Ali, Jair, JD, Jonah, Annalisa, Jordan, Jacob, Judah, Josiah, Jamin, Amelia, and Justice).
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)
2024 NABC-NAIA National Coach of the Year
2022, 2024, & 2025 NCCAA National Coach of the Year
2024 NAIA Final 4
"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
Belhaven University (NCAA Division III)
2017 NCCAA Region Coach of the Year
2017 NAIA Division II Sweet 16 at Trinity International
