Minot State University Director of Athletics Andy Carter today named Mike Brandt the Head Coach of the Beavers women’s basketball team.
Coach Brandt has more than 30 years of coaching experience and over 500 collegiate career wins as a head coach. While at Southern Methodist University (SMU) as an Associate Head Coach, he helped lead the Mustangs to the 2017 NIT and molded three AAC All-Conference players as well as two AAC All-Freshman Team Members. Prior to his position of Associate Head Coach for SMU (2016-2019), Brandt spent the previous 14 seasons as head coach at USC Aiken. He posted a 254-166 record and led the Pacers to the NCAA Tournament five times, including three straight appearances from 2011-2013.
Mike Brandt Introductory Press Conference
When: Tuesday, April 6
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: Minot State Dome
Location: South Ticket Lobby
Face masks Required
Any questions or additional media requests can be sent by email or phone to the Assistant Athletic Director of Communications and Media Relations: [email protected] | (701) 858-4094
Athletic Director Andy Carter on the process that led to hiring Coach Brandt. “I was so impressed with our women’s basketball team members and our search committee. They fully invested themselves into this process and the result speaks for itself. We have a bright future and I am eager to see the hard work and growth take place that is necessary for us to be a top program in the NSIC.”
Carter continued. “Mike is a proven head coach at the NCAA DII level. We knew from the very beginning that he would have a plan and jump in with both feet to execute his vision for Beaver women’s basketball. I am thankful that we were able to attract a coach of his stature, but was even more so impressed with his character, integrity, and desire to build our program in the right fashion. I have no doubt in his ability to do just that and am excited for our university and our women’s basketball program.”
Brandt is the all-time career wins leader for a coach at USC Aiken. He guided the Pacers to a program-record 27 wins in 2010-11 and again in 2011-12, winning the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship in 2012. The Pacers No. 1 regional ranking enabled them to host the program’s first-ever NCAA Regional Championship. USC Aiken was consistently ranked in the top-25 and reached as high as No. 3 in the NCAA Division II national rankings during his tenure. Brandt was on several WBCA Committees including the All-America Committee and the USA Today/WBCA Top-25 Committee.
Coach Brandt on being named Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Minot State University. “I am both very excited and very appreciative of the opportunity to develop a quality basketball program at Minot State University. While on campus, I appreciated the hospitality and friendliness of the selection committee, administrative staff, women’s basketball team, and of course Athletic Director Andy Carter and President Steven Shirley. I was comfortable about the position throughout the process – and obviously, MSU was also. I am ready to get to work!”
Brandt continued. “The Northern Sun is an extremely competitive conference and I am looking forward to being a part of it.”
“My plan of action is to travel north as soon as possible and get to know the current players – as my recruiting starts with them!”
Prior to taking over at USC Aiken, he spent 13 seasons at the helm of the women’s basketball program at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. For the first seven years of his tenure, he also assisted with the men’s program. He was named NJCAA District G Coach of the Year in 2002 after leading his team to the Region IX championship. Brandt guided his team to at least 20 wins eight times, including six consecutive seasons, and broke the program single-season wins mark five times. Brandt is also the all-time wins leader at Northeastern, finishing with a 253-129 mark. During his time at Northeastern, he coached five NJCAA All-Americans, 52 academic award winners, and numerous all-region players.
Brandt began his coaching career in the high school ranks at Winfield High School in Winfield, Kan., in 1986. After two seasons at Winfield, he spent a season as the boys’ varsity coach at Wray High School in Wray, Colo., before advancing to the college ranks.
Brandt played point guard at Northeastern Junior College, leading his team to a 21-2 record after Christmas. He earned an Associate of Arts in liberal arts in 1984 and earned a Bachelor’s in physical education with a minor in computer science from Sterling College in 1986. In 1988, Brandt completed his studies for a Master of Education at Southwestern College.
Coach Brandt will travel to Minot and begin his new role as Head Coach of the women’s basketball team on Apr. 5.
