Coach Mike Chalas

  • Coach Mike Chalas will start the 24'-25' season as the new Assistant Coach at Gannon University. Prior to Gannon, Coach Chalas was an Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development at Nova Southeastern University. During his three seasons at NSU, Coach Chalas took part in creating history for the program. Only being part of 4 losses and 99 wins in three seasons. In his stint covering 2021-24’, Coach Chalas helped the Sharks achieve three consecutive Sunshine State Conference regular season and tournament titles, three straight NCAA South Region Championships (features that never happened before in school history). In addition to helping NSU reach back-to-back National Championship Final games. Winning its first NCAA Division II National Championship 2022-2023 in program history.

  • Coach Chalas envisions to build a player that is a whole athlete. That curates to the player’s physical attributes as well as the mental. That allows them to maximize their potential as an athlete and as a human being.

    Through this Coach Chalas assisted developing two back to back National Players of the Year, three All-Americans, two back to back SSC Players of the Year, and a SSC Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in program history.

    Due to the landscape of today’s college basketball industry, it must be taken into account the jumps that players are taking from school to school. Player development is at the core for Coach Chalas and company. In his tenure thus far at NSU, Coach Chalas has helped develop 5 players that have transitioned to play at the D1 level.

  • Coach Chalas has had the privilege to develop players internally that have gone on to have professional basketball careers. But Coach Chalas is not limited to just the Sharks. His focus on developing players at all levels has transcended him to be sought out by pros at every level; NBA, G-League, FIBA, BSN (Puerto Rico), LNB (France), ASEAN (Hong Kong), ENBL (Beligum), and BNXT (Europe).

    Coach Chalas is big on being great at what you have to do most. His experienced eye dissects nuances often overlooked, shaping raw potential into refined mastery. Beyond the Xs and Os, He cultivates an unwavering work ethic, nurturing discipline and mental fortitude. His mentorship extends far beyond the court, he has an innate ability to connect with others which allows him to foster a relationship of growth, not just in skill, but in character, unlocking a player’s full potential.

Greatness is in the details not in platforms.

  • A couple of paragraphs isn't enough for what Coach Chalas meant to me as a player, and still means to me as we continue our friendship and journey alongside each other in the Coaching profession. He embodies everything you want a Coach and mentor to be. Every time we were in the gym, we went in with a purpose. His ability to study my game in a short amount of time and attack my strengths and weaknesses was what took my game to the next level. His unwavering dedication and commitment to not only me but also my teammates is a huge reason that NSU Basketball is 67-1 in his tenure as an Assistant. Being able to see Coach Chalas on the other side only furthers my respect for him as a Coach and human being. He does everything for the purpose of not only enhancing the skills of each players game, but also teaching life skills and how to respect others around you. I have seen him train numerous amount of professionals alongside of hundreds of kids in the community. His demeanor and hunger doesn't change an ounce no matter who he is training in the gym. He has built a family like atmosphere with his kids at SBA and it has been special to watch. In such a competitive field of "developmental training" in South Florida, I truly believe he is one of one when it comes to developing the youth in the community. He makes everyone around him 1% better each day.

    Nick Smith (DII National Champion Coach; Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Nova Southeastern University)

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