Football
vs
Purdue
Nov 15 (Sat)
4:00 p.m. PT
Robert Bala
- Title:
- Inside Linebackers Coach
Robert Bala joined head coach Jedd Fisch's staff as the linebackers coach in 2024. He came to Seattle after having spent the 2023 season in the same position at Alabama.
In his first season at Washington, 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, while backup Khmori House was named honorable mention Freshman All-America.
In 2023, Bala mentored Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner, a consensus All-America and first-team All-SEC selection. Turner led Alabama with 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, helping guide the team to a 12-2 overall record, the SEC championship and a berth in the College Football Playoffs.
Bala went to 'Bama after having spent the 2022 season as a defensive analyst at Liberty. During his season at Liberty, Bala helped coach a defense that finished first nationally in tackles for loss per game (9.3) and No. 3 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).
Bala has 16 years of coaching experience with stops at the Oakland Raiders, Southern Utah, Ottawa, the University of Arizona, Palomar College and Snow Junior College. He has served as defensive coordinator at both Southern Utah and Palomar College while coaching linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties during his career.
Bala played linebacker at Southern Utah, earning his degree in physical education from SUU in 2008. He was a two-year starter for the Thunderbirds and was a 2007 Academic All-Great West Conference honoree. Following his college career, he went on to earn a master's degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia College.
A graduate of Oceanside (Calif.) High School, Bala began his playing career at Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif., where he was an All-Mission Conference selection. He has earned a BS in physical education from SUU (2008) and a master's in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia College, Irvine, Calif., (2013).
COACHING HISTORY
Washington
2024-present: Inside Linebackers
Alabama
2023: Linebackers
Liberty
2022: Analyst
Southern Utah
2018-21: Defensive Coordinator, Cornerbacks, Linebackers
Ottawa (Kan.)
2017: Special Teams Coordinator
Palomar College
2015-16: Defensive Coordinator
2011-13: Defensive Coordinator
Oakland Raiders
2014: Intern
Snow College
2009-10: Linebackers
In his first season at Washington, 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, while backup Khmori House was named honorable mention Freshman All-America.
In 2023, Bala mentored Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner, a consensus All-America and first-team All-SEC selection. Turner led Alabama with 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, helping guide the team to a 12-2 overall record, the SEC championship and a berth in the College Football Playoffs.
Bala went to 'Bama after having spent the 2022 season as a defensive analyst at Liberty. During his season at Liberty, Bala helped coach a defense that finished first nationally in tackles for loss per game (9.3) and No. 3 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).
Bala has 16 years of coaching experience with stops at the Oakland Raiders, Southern Utah, Ottawa, the University of Arizona, Palomar College and Snow Junior College. He has served as defensive coordinator at both Southern Utah and Palomar College while coaching linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties during his career.
Bala played linebacker at Southern Utah, earning his degree in physical education from SUU in 2008. He was a two-year starter for the Thunderbirds and was a 2007 Academic All-Great West Conference honoree. Following his college career, he went on to earn a master's degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia College.
A graduate of Oceanside (Calif.) High School, Bala began his playing career at Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif., where he was an All-Mission Conference selection. He has earned a BS in physical education from SUU (2008) and a master's in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia College, Irvine, Calif., (2013).
COACHING HISTORY
Washington
2024-present: Inside Linebackers
Alabama
2023: Linebackers
Liberty
2022: Analyst
Southern Utah
2018-21: Defensive Coordinator, Cornerbacks, Linebackers
Ottawa (Kan.)
2017: Special Teams Coordinator
Palomar College
2015-16: Defensive Coordinator
2011-13: Defensive Coordinator
Oakland Raiders
2014: Intern
Snow College
2009-10: Linebackers
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