Joel Wallace joined LeTourneau as an assistant coach for the men's basketball program in July 2021 and was promoted to Associate Head Coach in June 2024. He enters his fifth year with the program in 2025-26.
Wallace was named the TABC Small College Assistant Coach of the Year following the 2023-24 season. He was instrumental in assisting with an offense that averaged 83.0 points per game while shooting an ASC-best 48.5 percent from the field. LeTourneau had five players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Deonte Jackson at 22.2 points per game, and ranked third in the ASC in assists per game at 15.11.
The YellowJackets had another stellar season offensively in 2024-25 averaging 83.7 points per game with All-American -- and ASC Player of the Year -- Deonte Jackson scoring 23.8 per contest. Wallace coached four players to All-ASC honors and three of those averaged at least 14 points per game.
LeTourneau has averaged at least 80 points per game in all four seasons in which Wallace has been on the coaching staff.
Wallace spent two seasons as a graduate assistant with the Minot State men's basketball program as the Beavers made history in 2021. After finishing third during the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season, Minot State made its first-ever semifinals appearance in the tournament.
Under his leadership, point guard Max Cody averaged 15.8 points, 6.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game en route to garnering All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first team honors. Forward Kody Dwyer converted 71.3 percent of his field-goal attempts, finishing third among all NCAA players across all three divisions.
Prior to Minot, Wallace spent two years at Ridgewater College as an assistant coach under head coach Nate Thooft. The new staff began the process of turning the program around, doubling the win total from year one.
The Bellevue, Neb., native began his coaching career as a student assistant at Southwest Minnesota State under head coach Brad Bigler. The Mustangs advanced to the NCAA Regional Final after capturing the 2017 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship in Wallace's final season with the program. Southwest Minnesota State posted a 28-6, including a 17-5 mark in league play, clinching the South Division Regular Season Title.
He gained valuable experience working camps and elite camps for Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Greg McDermott (Creighton) and former Nebraska and current San Jose State coach Tim Miles.
Wallace completed his undergrad at Southwest Minnesota State University and earned his Bachelor of Science in mental and physical health and wellness as well as a minor in coaching. He completed his Master of Science in sports management from Minot State in 2021.
He resides in Longview, Texas, with his wife, Mallory, and their daughter (Jovie).
