Brandon Branch At A Glance

• Comes to Three Rivers after a stint at Kansas State as a graduate assistant.
• Came from Memphis Day Academy Prep School in Memphis, where he led the school to a 51-15 record from 2019-22
• Also served as a lead youth basketball instructor for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies 
• Familiar with the Sunflower State after spending one season (2018-19) as a graduate assistant coach at Southwestern College in Winfield, helping the Moundbuilders to a 28-5 record and a trip to the round of 16 of the NAIA Tournament

Features (click on headline for link)

• Father First: Local Coach Put Career on Hold to Be Full-time Father  (ABC 24 Memphis, January 6, 2022)  

 
Branch helped the Wildcats to a remarkable first season in 2022-23, as the team defied preseason expectations to win 26-games and advance to the school's 13th trip to the Elite Eight. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history, trailing the school-record 29 in 2009-10 and the 27 in 2012-13, and just the eighth 25-win campaign.

Branch assisted in the development of a pair of All-Americans in 2023 Bob Cousy Award winner Markquis Nowell and forward Keyontae Johnson, who became the first duo in school history to each earn the recognition from The Associated Press when they were selected to the Third Team. Both players were named to the All-Big 12 First Team, while Johnson was the league's Newcomer of the Year.
 
A native of Memphis, Tenn., Branch came to K-State after a highly successful 3-year tenure (2019-22) as head coach at Memphis Day Academy Prep School. He led the school to a 51-15 (.773) record with three consecutive winning seasons, while 85 percent of players earned college scholarships. He won coach of the year honors in 2018-19 after the school posted a 20-2 record and won the conference tournament.
 
In addition to his duties at Memphis Day Academy, Branch served as a lead youth basketball instructor for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. He led on-court programming at a variety of camps, clinics and special events.
 
Branch spent one season (2018-19) as a graduate assistant coach at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., where he helped head coach Matt O’Brien lead the Moundbuilders to a 28-5 record and a trip to the round of 16 of the NAIA Tournament. The team won the KCAC Tournament Championship with a 78-75 win over No. 1-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan.
 
Branch earned his first coaching opportunity in 2016-17 at Whitehaven High School in Memphis, where he worked alongside head coach Faragi Phillips to manage both the Varsity and Junior Varsity Programs. He helped the Tigers post a 22-7 record, including a 12-3 mark in AAA District 16 play, and a trip to the semifinals of Region 8. The 22 wins were the most by the school in 20 years.
 
Branch started his journey towards coaching at Memphis in 2015, as he served as a student manager for head coach Josh Pastner during the 2015-16 season. The Tigers won 19 games and advanced all the way to the AAC Tournament Championship, where they fell to UConn.
 
In 2015, Branch founded Branching Out Athletics, a grassroots youth program which incorporates basketball training through camps, clinics and AAU activities with off-the-court education through life skills and career development.
 
Branch played one season (2014-15) at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tenn., for Hall of Fame head coach Bill Carlyle before transferring to Memphis.
 
Branch earned a bachelor's degree in education sport and leisure management from Memphis in 2017, while he also earned an associate degree from Walters State Community College in 2015.
 
Branch has a son, Jeremaih.