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February 27, 2010

Branson Resigns as CSU Head Coach

Columbus, Ga. -- Columbus State head men's basketball coach Doug Branson's tenure at the school has ended after four seasons. Branson announced his resignation publicly on the post-game radio show in an interview with longtime play-by-play announcer Scott Miller after Saturday's 82-63 loss to end the regular season at Montevallo. The Cougars ended the 2009-10 season at 12-14 overall and 6-11 in Peach Belt Conference play. 


"I want to thank Doug Branson for his hard work and dedication as head coach the past four seasons and also for the great work he did as an assistant coach prior to that," said CSU Athletic Director Jay Sparks. "He has the work ethic to be a successful coach and wish him all the best in the years to come."

Branson served as interim head coach in the 2006-07 season, taking over for legendary coach Herbert Greene. He finished 17-11 in that first season, then had the interim tag removed prior to the 2007-08 season. He was forced to deal with player conduct issues both during his interim year and in each of the next two seasons that ended with dismissal of players or with players leaving the program. He posted a 13-18 mark in 2007-08, the followed with a painful 8-19 campaign in 2008-09. His overall record as head coach stands at 50-62, including a 33-51 mark after the interim tag was removed. 

This season his team started 4-1, including a road win at then #2 Valdosta State on December 7. The Cougars very nearly defeated Division I foe Alabama State on its home floor on November 24, but fell 64-58 - the only loss in the first four games. The grind of the Peach Belt Conference season finally wore down the team, finishing with losses in five of its last six games. 

Branson came to CSU as a graduate assistant coach under Herbert Greene in 1999, moving into a full-time role one season later. He was an assistant for seven seasons with Greene, a span in which Cougar teams won 22 or more games five times, including an outstanding 27-5 slate in 2002-03. CSU posted a record of 151-63 while Branson was an assistant coach and never had a losing season. Recruiting was his strength during that time, as he recruited some of the top players in CSU history. He was responsible for the likes of Yandel Brown, the program's first-ever 1st Team All-American and the single-season record holder for points scored and second-leading scorer of all time at the school, John Thomas, Corris Portis, Deshawn Bowman and the late Jed Bedford. 

The search for a head coach will begin immediately.