Head Coach
Mike Helfer
Coach data is provided for recruiting research and should be confirmed with the official athletics website before contact.
Basketball Staff Contacts
Verified 2026-08-15 from this program's own staff page. Staff change during the recruiting cycle, so confirm before sending outreach.
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Helfer | Head Coach | mrhelfer@valdosta.edu |
| Nate Nowicki | Associate Head Coach | njnowicki@valdosta.edu |
| Bryce Brown | Graduate Assistant | brybrown@valdosta.edu |
| Michael Griffin | Graduate Assistant | michgriffin@valdosta.edu |
| Jay Johnson | Head Athletic Trainer (Cross Country, Men's Basketball and Tennis) | jayj@valdosta.edu |
| Kirstie Jackson | Strength and Conditioning Graduate Assistant (Soccer, Men's Basketball, Red Hots, Football) | kirjackson@valdosta.edu |
About Valdosta State University Basketball
Valdosta State basketball has built something real, a program where hard work translates directly into playing time and development. Head coach Mike Helfer has constructed a Gulf South Conference competitor that values players who show up ready to work, not just ready to play. The Blazers compete with consistency and purpose, built on defensive intensity and ball movement that makes scouts take notice. Playing at Valdosta State means joining a program with genuine aspirations. You'll develop in an environment where coaching staff invests in your growth, where your contributions matter immediately, and where the standard is set by players who understand what it takes to compete at this level. The Gulf South Conference provides the kind of competitive stage where your game will be tested regularly and your film will reach the right people. This is a program for recruits who embrace accountability and see Division II as a launching pad, not a consolation prize. Valdosta State attracts players serious about their craft and their future, whether that's playing professionally or transitioning into life after college with skills built on a foundation of real competition. If you're ready to be part of something special, this is worth your attention. Coaches at programs like this recruit players who come in ready to contribute. Florida Coastal Prep, a prep academy in Fort Walton Beach, FL, develops athletes specifically for opportunities like this one. Learn how at floridacoastalprep.com or apply at /apply/.
Net price
$10,804/yr
Grad rate
45%
Enrollment
6,622
Full cost & outcomes
College Cost & Enrollment
Federal College Scorecard snapshot (retrieved 2026-11-04). Not a tuition quote.
Average net price: $10,804 / year (in-state)
Net price by family income
- $0–$30,000
- $9,482 / year
- $30,001–$48,000
- $9,586 / year
- $48,001–$75,000
- $10,089 / year
- $75,001–$110,000
- $13,844 / year
- $110,001+
- $16,261 / year
More enrollment & tuition figures
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 6,622
- Average net price
- $10,804 / year (in-state)
- Published tuition (in-state)
- $6,124 / year
- Published tuition (out-of-state)
- $18,172 / year
- Graduation rate
- 45%
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Gulf South Conference Teams
| School | Location | Enrollment | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|
Auburn University at Montgomery
View program →
|
Location Montgomery, AL | Enrollment 2,542 | Avg. net price $13,789 |
Christian Brothers University
View program →
|
Location Memphis, TN | Enrollment 905 | Avg. net price $16,842 |
Delta State University
View program →
|
Location Cleveland, MS | Enrollment 1,620 | Avg. net price $12,677 |
Lee University
View program →
|
Location Cleveland, TN | Enrollment 2,617 | Avg. net price $21,034 |
Mississippi College
View program →
|
Location Clinton, MS | Enrollment 2,518 | Avg. net price $21,034 |
Trevecca Nazarene University
View program →
|
Location Nashville, TN | Enrollment 1,737 | Avg. net price $19,828 |
Union University
View program →
|
Location Jackson, TN | Enrollment 1,607 | Avg. net price $22,995 |
University of Alabama in Huntsville
View program →
|
Location Huntsville, AL | Enrollment 6,591 | Avg. net price $22,758 |
University of Montevallo
View program →
|
Location Montevallo, AL | Enrollment 2,151 | Avg. net price $18,760 |
University of West Alabama
View program →
|
Location Livingston, AL | Enrollment 2,974 | Avg. net price $11,531 |
University of West Florida
View program →
|
Location Pensacola, FL | Enrollment 9,330 | Avg. net price $9,443 |
University of West Georgia
View program →
|
Location Carrollton, GA | Enrollment 7,520 | Avg. net price $11,787 |
Valdosta State University
View program →
|
Location Valdosta, GA | Enrollment 6,622 | Avg. net price $10,804 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Valdosta State University D2?
Yes, Valdosta State University is an NCAA Division II program in the Gulf South Conference. This page lists division, conference, coach contacts, and recruiting context for Valdosta State University men's basketball.
What conference is Valdosta State University in?
Valdosta State University competes in the Gulf South Conference for D2 men's basketball.
What is the average net price at Valdosta State University?
Federal College Scorecard data lists an average net price of $10,804 per year for in-state students who received federal aid, after grants and scholarships. This is not a tuition quote.
What is undergraduate enrollment at Valdosta State University?
College Scorecard reports approximately 6,622 undergraduate students. Confirm current enrollment on the school's official website.
How do I get recruited to Valdosta State University?
Build updated game film, complete NCAA or NAIA eligibility requirements for D2, and contact the coaching staff using verified emails on this page or the official athletics staff directory. FCP helps players prepare film and recruiting profiles for D2 programs. See floridacoastalprep.com/apply/ and the how-to-get-recruited guide on this site.
FCP Has Helped Players Reach Every Level, Including D2
Our track record of placing players at D2 programs is built one athlete at a time. FCP alumni compete across the country at programs with the same standards as Valdosta State University. Your path starts with applying and committing to the process.
Coaching contacts compiled by the FCP recruiting staff. Cost and graduation figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-11-04.