Marquette men's basketball is strengthening its bench with a familiar face. Head coach Shaka Smart has hired Jeremy Ballard as an assistant coach, reuniting with a trusted colleague from their successful run together at VCU over a decade ago.

Ballard, 44, joins the Golden Eagles after a six-season stint as head coach at Florida International. His experience building a program and his deep understanding of Smart's coaching philosophy make him a valuable addition as Marquette looks to build on its recent success.

"Jeremy Ballard is one of the best coaches I have been around in 27 years in college basketball," Smart said in a statement, highlighting the significance of this hire. Ballard's resume also includes assistant roles at Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Illinois State, and Colgate, bringing a wealth of diverse experience to Milwaukee.

The move comes at a key time for Smart's staff, which saw assistant Nevada Smith become head coach at Siena and DeAndre Haynes depart after the season. Securing a proven coach like Ballard, who already knows the system, is a strategic win for team continuity and player development as the offseason progresses.