November 8, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Florida International Panthers coach Jeremy Ballard speaks during a first-half timeout against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Image Florida International fired men’s basketball coach Jeremy Ballard on Wednesday after going 113-141 in eight seasons.
Ballard, 44, has led the Panthers to just one postseason appearance, reaching the second round of the CIT in his first year with the Westchester, Fla., program in 2018-19.
Florida International finished its 15-17 campaign (8-12 Conference USA) with a 75-72 loss to Missouri State in the first round of the conference tournament on Tuesday.
Including a 20-14 record in his debut season at FIU, Ballard’s only other winning record was 19-13 the following season. The Panthers haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament since their lone appearance in 1995.
“I want to thank Jeremy for putting his heart and soul into this program over the past eight years,” said FIU athletic director Scott Carr. “Jeremy is one of the greatest human beings and leaders I have ever met, and his authenticity was communicated to the student-athletes he coached and the culture he established.
“Jeremy has left the program in a better position than he inherited, and we want to thank him for that improvement. However, our on-court success has not been at the level we aspire to be. We want to compete for conference championships and NCAA Tournament berths. Once those standards are in place, a comprehensive national search will begin immediately and there will be no further comment until completed.”
Ballard was an assistant coach at Pitt, VCU, Illinois, Tulsa and his alma mater Colgate before joining FIU.
Assistant coach Jesse Bopp has been named interim head coach of the Panthers.
–Field level media
