Robert Bala - Football Coach - James Madison University Athletics

Robert Bala

Title:
Defensive Coordinator
Phone:
540-568-6517

Robert Bala is in his first season with the James Madison football program in 2026, as he serves as the defensive coordinator.

Bala brings in nearly two decades of coaching experience to JMU, having most recently spent the 2025 season on Billy Napier’s staff at Florida, where he was co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. In the one year in Gainesville, Bala helped the Gators to a #16 national ranking in red zone defense, as teams scored at just a 75% clip.

Prior to UF, Bala was inside linebackers coach at Washington for the 2024 season. Bala helped lead the Huskies to a Sun Bowl appearance, mentoring one of the team's top units. Starting linebackers Carson Bruener and Alphonzo Tuputala earned Third Team and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten accolades while Khmori House was an Honorable Mention Freshman All-American.

Before his move to Seattle, Bala spent the 2023 campaign under Nick Saban at Alabama, where he was inside linebackers coach. Bala helped guide Alabama to a 12-2 overall record, the SEC championship and a berth in the College Football Playoffs. Defensively, the Crimson Tide ranked 16th nationally in scoring defense (19.0), 18th in total defense (316.0), 23rd on third down (33%) and 24th against the pass (191.1).

In 2022, Bala was a defensive analyst at Liberty prior being named as the Flames linebackers coach following the season. Bala helped coach a defense that finished first nationally in tackles for loss per game (9.3) and third in sacks per game (3.46). The Flames more than doubled their turnovers gained in 2022 from the previous season, ranking 11th nationally in turnovers gained (24) and 18th in passes intercepted (14).

Prior to his move to the FBS coaching ranks, Bala spent four seasons at his alma mater Southern Utah (2018-21), where he was defensive coordinator and coached the linebackers and cornerbacks.

Bala also had collegiate coaching stops at the University of Ottawa (2017), Palomar (2011-13, 2015-16) and Snow College (2009-10). He additionally served as an intern with the Oakland Raiders in 2014.

A native of Oceanside, Calif., Bala was a linebacker at Southern Utah, earning his degree in physical education in 2008. He was a two-year starter for the Thunderbirds and a 2007 Academic All-Great West Conference honoree. He began his career at Palomar College in California, where he was an All-Mission Conference selection.

Following his career, he later earned a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia College in 2013.

Bala Coaching File
2026: James Madison (Defensive Coordinator)
2025: Florida (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2024: Washington (Inside Linebackers)
2023: Alabama (Inside Linebackers)
2022: Liberty (Defensive Analyst)
2018-21: Southern Utah (Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks/Linebackers)
2017: Ottawa (Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
2015-16: Palomar College (Defensive Coordinator)
2014: Oakland Raiders (Intern)
2011-13: Palomar College (Defensive Coordinator)
2009-10: Snow College (Linebackers)