Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Capko Introduced as 21st Ball State Men's Basketball Head Coach
March 24, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Chris Capko was introduced as the head coach of the Ball State men's basketball team on Tuesday afternoon at the Ball State Alumni Center.
Following opening remarks from Ball State University president Geoffrey Mearns and director of athletics Jeff Mitchell, Capko made an opening statement and took questions from local media.
"Just standing here in front of you all is a surreal moment for me," Capko said. "I've been dreaming of this moment for a long, long time.
"My staff and I will work tirelessly to ensure that we turn over every rock in the state to recruit the best players that we can and make you all proud."
When asked about the characteristics he wants in future players and assistant coaches, Capko said he zones in on four core values.
"In the recruiting process, I look at one, self-motivation. Is the guy self-motivated, or do I have to hold his hand to get in the gym? Two, is he honest, and can I be honest with him? Through the ups and downs in a season, you have to have honest conversations with people. The third is toughness. I want someone who has a tendency to be tough and can figure it out through mistakes. The last value I use is reliability. I want reliable guys that can help put a winning product on the floor."
Capko was previously an associate head coach the last five seasons, including the most recent two at SMU. Prior to that, the Lakeland, Fla., native was the associate head coach at USC under Andy
Enfield for three seasons after getting promoted from an assistant coach in advance of the 2021-22 season.
The new head man at Ball State was attracted to Muncie after speaking with the administration about the future direction of the program.
"I felt extreme confidence in Jeff [Mitchell] and President Mearns that they are going to provide me with resources to be competitive and that they are going to give me every avenue and every opportunity to allow us to compete," Capko said. "From my standpoint, I felt alignment with them and I felt they are going to do whatever to help us be successful."
The 2025-26 campaign will be the 20th of Capko's coaching career and first head coaching role, as he has previous stops at Florida International, Georgia Southern and Stetson in addition to SMU and USC as an assistant after getting started in the career as a graduate assistant at Marshall (2007-09). Capko played at South Florida from 2004-07 after beginning his college career at Florida in the 2002-03 season.
More information about Capko's career can be found at last week's press release. Season ticket deposits for the 2026-27 schedule are being accepted at this link.
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Following opening remarks from Ball State University president Geoffrey Mearns and director of athletics Jeff Mitchell, Capko made an opening statement and took questions from local media.
"Just standing here in front of you all is a surreal moment for me," Capko said. "I've been dreaming of this moment for a long, long time.
"My staff and I will work tirelessly to ensure that we turn over every rock in the state to recruit the best players that we can and make you all proud."
When asked about the characteristics he wants in future players and assistant coaches, Capko said he zones in on four core values.
"In the recruiting process, I look at one, self-motivation. Is the guy self-motivated, or do I have to hold his hand to get in the gym? Two, is he honest, and can I be honest with him? Through the ups and downs in a season, you have to have honest conversations with people. The third is toughness. I want someone who has a tendency to be tough and can figure it out through mistakes. The last value I use is reliability. I want reliable guys that can help put a winning product on the floor."
Capko was previously an associate head coach the last five seasons, including the most recent two at SMU. Prior to that, the Lakeland, Fla., native was the associate head coach at USC under Andy
Enfield for three seasons after getting promoted from an assistant coach in advance of the 2021-22 season.
The new head man at Ball State was attracted to Muncie after speaking with the administration about the future direction of the program.
"I felt extreme confidence in Jeff [Mitchell] and President Mearns that they are going to provide me with resources to be competitive and that they are going to give me every avenue and every opportunity to allow us to compete," Capko said. "From my standpoint, I felt alignment with them and I felt they are going to do whatever to help us be successful."
The 2025-26 campaign will be the 20th of Capko's coaching career and first head coaching role, as he has previous stops at Florida International, Georgia Southern and Stetson in addition to SMU and USC as an assistant after getting started in the career as a graduate assistant at Marshall (2007-09). Capko played at South Florida from 2004-07 after beginning his college career at Florida in the 2002-03 season.
More information about Capko's career can be found at last week's press release. Season ticket deposits for the 2026-27 schedule are being accepted at this link.
Â
Men's Basketball // Coach Capko 1st Day on Campus
Tuesday, March 24
Men's Basketball // Coach Capko has arrived! Walk and Talk upon arrival
Monday, March 23
Men's Basketball // Welcome Coach Capko!
Friday, March 20
Men's Basketball // Post Game Press Conference vs Central Michigan
Saturday, March 07