source: Ball State University Athletics

Ball State University has signed men's volleyball head coach Mike Iandolo to a contract extension, the program announced Thursday, as reported by Ball State Daily News. The deal comes off the best season the program has seen in years.

In his first official season leading the Cardinals, Iandolo guided Ball State to a 26-5 overall record (17-1 at home, 13-3 in conference).

The team claimed the MIVA regular-season title, won the MIVA Tournament championship, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals after defeating Pepperdine in a fifth-game overtime in the regional round. Ball State had not earned an NCAA Tournament berth since 2022.

From Assistant Coach to National Coach of the Year

Iandolo joined Ball State's staff as an assistant coach in August 2021 under then-head coach Donan Cruz. When Cruz departed last summer, Iandolo was elevated to interim head coach.

The interim designation was removed weeks before the 2026 season began, according to Off the Block. During his tenure as an assistant and head coach, he helped the Cardinals capture two MIVA Tournament championships.

The AVCA named him National Coach of the Year for the 2026 season.

What Both Sides Said About the Deal

Athletics director Jeff Mitchell said he was grateful for the impact Iandolo has made across five years with the program, calling the future exceptionally bright with Iandolo continuing to lead the team, per ballstatesports.com.

Iandolo thanked Ball State president Geoffrey Mearns and Mitchell for their belief in him and their commitment to the program. He also thanked fans and alumni, noting that the community's support is central to what the Cardinals have built.

The expectation going forward, Iandolo added, is to compete for championships at the highest level, and he is committed to doing the work to make that a reality. Financial terms were not disclosed, as noted by the Journal Gazette.

Where Ball State Men's Volleyball Stands Heading Into 2026-27

The Cardinals return as one of college volleyball's programs on the rise. Two MIVA Tournament titles in five years is a benchmark few programs in the conference can match.

Iandolo enters his second full season with the security of an extension and a national coaching award on his resume.

Ball State's home court advantage stood out last season too, a 17-1 record at Worthen Arena reflecting the crowd support Iandolo has repeatedly credited as a program asset.

The MIVA will again feature stiff competition from programs like Lewis, men's volleyball programs and McKendree, but the Cardinals have established themselves as the standard to chase.