New Jersey Institute of Technology Athletics

Michael Bindas, who has been an assistant coach for the Highlander fencing teams the past two seasons, has been elevated to Men's and Women's Fencing Head Coach in July 2024 Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Lenny Kaplan announced.

"I am very excited to elevate Mike into the head coaching position," said Kaplan. "It was important for us to find a coach with the knowledge and involvement in not only the New Jersey fencing scene, but nationally and internationally as well.  Mike checks all of those boxes, and I am looking forward to watching our teams continue to grow under Mike's tutelage."  

Bindas joined the NJIT fencing coaching staff as an assistant coach in September 2022, coaching the Highlanders for two seasons until being named the next head coach to succeed Jason Henderson.

"I am honored and thrilled to accept this promotion," said Bindas. "This opportunity allows me to further contribute to the team's success and growth. I look forward to embracing the challenges ahead and continuing to work hard with the passion and dedication that have always driven me in my career."

Bindas, the 2022 Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association (MACFA) Coach of the Year at Drew University, was the Interim head coach of the Rangers (2022) and served as an assistant coach since 2019 before being promoted to head coach.

Prior to his arrival at NJIT, Bindas led the Drew Rangers in 2022 to a third-place finish for the men at the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association (MACFA) Championships, earning MACFA Coach of the Year. The Ranger men finished 57-14, setting a school record for single-season victories. 

Bindas helped develop Michael DeSando '23, who was honored as the 2022 United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) Division III Men's Foil Athlete of the Year while Amira Mutakabbir '25 was selected as the USFCA Division III Women's Epee Athlete of the Year. DeSando was also recognized as a USFCA Honorable Mention All-American and a USFCA All-Region selection while Caira Blake '24 was named to the USFCA All-Region squad for the women's team.

Bindas arrived at Drew as an Assistant Coach for the Rangers for the 2019-20 season, helping the men's team finish 55-19 and the women's squad go 46-18.  One year later, he helped the men's team send a school-record six competitors to the 2021 NCAA Championships while a combined six men's and women's athletes earned All-America honors. He was honored as the USFCA Division III Men's Fencing Assistant Coach of the Year.

For over two decades, Bindas has been active in fencing as a competitor, collegiate coach, club coach, and high school coach in both the United States and France. He has guided numerous athletes to victory at both Regional and USA National fencing events. 

Before Drew, Bindas led the Montclair (NJ) High School fencing team to medals at the 2018-19 New Jersey State Championships (second place) and the 2017-18 Epee Team New Jersey State Championships (first place).


Updated June 2024