FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Athletics Department has announced Lamine Balde as its next Head Men's Soccer Coach.

Balde comes to FSU having most recently served as an assistant coach at Division I Lafayette College since 2024.

"I am incredibly honored to be named the head coach of the Frostburg State Men's Soccer program.", said Balde. "I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Athletic Director Rubin Stevenson and the search committee for their trust and this incredible opportunity to lead these young men."

In his time with Lafayette, Balde helped the Leopards to back-to-back winning seasons, including earning the 2025 Patriot League Tournament Championship as the conference's six seed, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to joining the Maroon and White, he served as head coach at Division III Elmira College for three seasons. During the 2023 season, he led the Eagles to their first-ever Empire 8 Conference Championship, going unbeaten in conference play and advancing to the NCAA Tournament while being named the Empire 8 Coach of the Year.

Said previous Head Men's Soccer Coach and current Assistant Athletic Director for Personnel, Keith Byrnes, "I am excited that Lamine will be taking over the program. He was highly recommended by his peers and he did a great job of presenting his vision for the program. I think we got a person of great character who will guide the program with strong leadership and professionalism."

Balde began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Bethany College, from 2015-17. He also spent time coaching at the club level with FC Pittsburgh and Arsenal Football Club of PA before returning to the college ranks as an assistant coach at Division III Washington & Jefferson College from 2019-21. "Stepping into this role after Keith, I have a profound respect for the foundation he established here. My goal is to build upon his work while we continue to raise our standards on the pitch and in the classroom." – Balde

As a player, he was twice an All-Conference selection for the Bison, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management in 2015 before earning his Master of Arts of Teaching in 2017. Balde also spent time playing for a pair of NPSL squads in the Fort Pitt Regiment and the Indy Eleven.