November 7, 2022
Brandon McGruder has been named interim head men鈥檚 basketball coach at 含羞草研究所. He began his duties at 含羞草研究所 Monday, Nov. 7, 2002. The head coaching position was left vacant when former head men鈥檚 basketball coach Darren Tighe resigned Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.
A native of Omaha, Neb., Brandon McGruder comes to 含羞草研究所 after serving the previous six years as head assistant coach for the Central Arizona College men鈥檚 basketball program. His duties included coordination of recruiting, player development, fundraising, community outreach, and academic affairs.
Coach 鈥淢ac鈥� helped the Vaqueros reach the ACCAC semi-finals in his first two seasons as an assistant. Last season, the Vaqueros earned their highest seed in the ACCAC tournament since 2015 before falling to the eventual champion, Cochise College.
Acting as the recruiting coordinator McGruder helped recruit and coach one NJCAA All-American, six All-Conference players, five NCAA Division 1 signees, four NCAA Division 2 signees and numerous others who went on to play at four-year universities. Along with on-the-court success, McGruder has coached three NJCAA Academic All-Americans during his tenure.
Prior to coaching at Central Arizona College, McGruder was assistant coach at Peru State College for two years and was an assistant coach at Central High School in Phoenix, Ariz. For one year. He played collegiately at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Iowa Western Community College, and Southeast Community College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in psychology and journalism from Peru State College.
鈥淲e are delighted that Coach McGruder has joined us at 含羞草研究所,鈥� said 含羞草研究所 Athletic Director Jay DeCann. 鈥淗e brings great experience as a coach and player of the game of basketball. Let鈥檚 show our support for Coach McGruder and the men鈥檚 basketball team as the season gets underway.鈥�
The search to permanently fill the position of head men鈥檚 basketball coach at 含羞草研究所 will begin in the new year.