G. Michael Graham Photo. Grant Brannen (black sweatshirt) watches during team introductions at a game earlier this year. Brannen guided the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds basketball team for seven years before taking the same postion at Walton-Verona on Tuesday.
By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
One of the
hottest boys basketball head coaching jobs in Northern Kentucky came open
Tuesday.
Veteran Newport
Central Catholic Thoroughbreds Head Coach Grant Brannen announced he’s taking
the same position at nearby Walton-Verona. This comes after the Thoroughbreds
finished 30-3 this past season with Ashland Invitational, All “A” State and 36th
District championships.
“I have been a part of the NewCath family since I was
in the second grade,” Brannen, a 1998
NewCath grad, said. “For over 15 years,
I loved every minute of teaching and coaching at my alma mater. Graduating,
teaching, and coaching at NCC was a dream come true. This is a special place
and will always be a part of my family’s life.”
NewCath
finished 146-62 in Brannen’s seven seasons as head coach. The Thoroughbreds
recorded six 36th District titles and four All “A” 9th Region titles during
that span. NewCath finished 9th Region runner-up in 2011 to Dixie Heights and
2012 to Boone County. Eventual state quarterfinalist Covington Holmes bounced
NewCath, 55-50 in the first round of the 9th Region Tournament this year.
Brannen said
his daughter Caroline and son Jefferson “will
eventually be Thoroughbreds.” Brannen’s wife, the former Anna McSorely,
graduated from NewCath in 1999.
“Grant is an unbelievable coach, an even better
teacher, and an even better person,”
said Rob Detzel, NewCath Director of Athletics. “It is a sad day for NCC, as we are losing one of our great alums. We
are, however, very happy for Coach Brannen and wish him nothing but the best at
his new position.”
Brannen
teaches Sociology, Geography, United State and World History in addition to
Health and Physical Education at NewCath. He will also teach at Walton-Verona.
Brannen
took over as head coach for Detzel in 2006 when Detzel took the AD position.
Detzel succeeded former head coach Ron Dawn years before that.
“It is with mixed emotions that I inform all that
Grant Brannen is not returning as a teacher and coach next year,” said Carl Foster, NCC Principal. “We are losing a great coach and more importantly, an excellent role model
for our student-athletes. We thank him for his commitment to our students in
the classroom and the success he has built with our basketball program.”
Two
starters graduate from this year’s team in Michael Bueter and Nick Seibert. The
Thoroughbreds graduate three other seniors in Jake Haas, Colin Dupont and
Brennan Devoto.
But NewCath
does return a lot of talent starting with rising 6-foot-8-inch senior Jake
Schulte and rising juniors Zach Pangallo and 6-6 Drew McDonald. The
Thoroughbreds also have some talent coming up like 6-4 rising sophomore Ben
Weyer.
“I want to thank the coaching staff and all the young
men who I had the honor of coaching,”
Brannen said. “I am thankful for the
experiences and memories we share.”
Brannen has
a huge task in front of him at Walton-Verona. The Bearcats finished just 9-21
last year. They lost 53-47 to Simon Kenton in the 32nd District semifinals at
Williamstown.
NewCath has
begun the process of filling in the opening. A couple media outlets have reported
that Ron Dawn has accepted the offer to return to his old position. Dawn guided
the Thoroughbreds to the All “A” and 9th Region championships in 2000.
Dawn
coached the NewCath girls program for four years between 2008 and 2012. He
guided the Thoroughbreds to the All “A” championship in 2010 and the 9th Region
crown in 2011.