Nedbalek, Joyner join LA Tech men’s basketball staff

RUSTON – Louisiana Tech Men’s Basketball head coach Talvin Hester added to his support staff on Friday with addition of Dave Nedbalek as video coordinator and Austin Joyner as recruiting coordinator.

“I am really excited to add Dave and Austin to the Bulldog Family,” said Hester. “Dave coming from Oral Roberts and Austin coming from Baylor bring a winning pedigree to our staff.”

Nedbalek spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant at Oral Roberts University where he assisted with video, opponent scouting, analytics, player development and contributed to graphic design/creative content.

“I am extremely grateful for coach Hester for the opportunity to serve under his leadership at Louisiana Tech,” said Nedbalek. “Nikki and I cannot wait to get to Rustin and begin planting roots in the community. We were immediately drawn to coach Hester’s reputation as a man of extremely high character and a track record of winning the right way. This, paired with the vision and commitment of the athletic department, made LA Tech an incredible opportunity and we are thrilled to now be Bulldogs.”

While at ORU, Nedbalek was part of the 2020-21 team that won the Summit League championship and went on to be just the second No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16 after wins over Ohio State and Florida.

He also got to work with the Golden Eagles Max Abmas who was a two-time Associated Press All-American who led the country in scoring that season.

Prior to his time in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nedbalek spent five years (2015-20) as an assistant coach at the University of Texas at Tyler where he assisted with recruiting, player development and basketball operations. The Patriots were back-to-back ASC quarterfinalists in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

From 2010-15, he was the head boys’ basketball coach and athletic director at King’s Academy Christian School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Western Governors University and his Master’s in Sports Management from ORU.

Joyner recently completed his sixth season as a member of the Baylor Men’s Basketball staff after joining the Bears back in September of 2016.

“I am incredibly excited and blessed to be joining the staff at Louisiana Tech,” said Joyner. “I can’t thank coach Hester enough for this amazing opportunity. I look forward to continuing the elite tradition of Louisiana Tech Basketball and serving the community of Ruston. How ‘Bout Them Dogs!”

While at BU, he assisted in all aspects of the program including scouting reports, recruiting and operations. The Bears achieved a 157-50 record in the six seasons, including an 81-13 mark from 2019-22 while winning back-to-back Big 12 Conference titles and the 2021 NCAA national title.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Joyner received his Bachelor of Science in Education and Master’s in Sports Pedagogy from Baylor