GCS Announces Dave Nedbalek as Varsity Boys Basketball Coach

Grace Community School is excited to introduce Dave Nedbalek as our new varsity boys basketball coach.  Coach Nedbalek is returning back to Tyler after coaching at the NCAA Division I level the past 5 years.  Coach Nedbalek has served as a Graduate Assistant, Assistant Coach, and Director of Player Development & Video at Oral Roberts University during his two stints at the university from 2020-2025.  He was part of ORU’s magical ride to the sweet 16 in 2022.  He spent a year as the Video Coordinator at Louisiana Tech during the 2022-2023 season.  Coach Nedbalek began his career in the college ranks as an Assistant Coach at the University of Texas at Tyler from 2015-2020.  Prior to moving to the college level, he served as the Head Coach and Athletic Director at King’s Academy Christian School and was involved in the Point Guard College Basketball Camps.  

Coach Nedbalek will be taking over the Grace Basketball Program from Eddie Francis, who led the program for 3 seasons and is resigning his basketball duties to focus on his role as Athletic Director. Francis led the Cougars to a 66-44 record, 3 playoff appearances, and 3 consecutive 20 win seasons for the first time in over 20 years at Grace. Francis says, “I’m proud of what Grace Basketball has accomplished over the past 3 seasons.  I’d like to thank our players, parents, and coaches for changing the culture of our basketball program, for helping lay a solid foundation for future success, and most importantly, for using our athletic platform to honor and glorify God.  I’ll cherish the relationships we’ve built and the memories we’ve shared.  I look forward to working closely with Coach Nedbalek as we strive to make Cougar Basketball a perennial power and a program that sets a Christian example for others to emulate.”

Coach Nedbalek is a native of Tyler and a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School.  He received his BS degree in Human Resource Management from Western Governors University in 2020 and his MS degree in Sports Administration from Oral Roberts University in 2022.  Dave and his wife, Nikki, and their son, Trae, are excited about being back in Tyler and part of the Grace family. Coach Nedbalek says, “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the next Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Grace Community School. Coming back to my home to work under the leadership of my former coach and for my wife and I to raise our son at a school and in a community as special as Grace is a dream scenario for us. God has blessed me throughout my career with the opportunity to learn under the leadership of some incredible men of God, and Coach Francis is no exception.  Grace has a rich tradition of competitive excellence and I am excited to build upon that foundation. I can’t wait to get my family settled in the great state of Texas this spring and get to work with our athletes. I look forward to bringing an exciting style of play that our players will love and that will excite not only Cougar fans but all of East Texas.”  In addition to his role as Head Basketball Coach, Nedbalek will teach 5th grade PE and serve as the school’s College Recruiting Coordinator.