Former Ouachita Tiger point guard Eric Braeuer was recently named as the assistant coach of the men’s basketball team. Braeuer replaces long-time assistant Logan Johnson who joined the staff at UNC-Asheville. For Braeuer, the transition from player to coach was something he’d been planning for years. What he didn’t expect was to be making the transition with the team he played for just seven months prior.

Braeuer has dreamed of playing and coaching college basketball since he was five. He feels blessed to be realizing that passion so soon. Tigers Head Coach Dennis Nutt believes it’s Braeuer’s passion that will make him a success.,

""As a player, Eric worked tirelessly on and off the floor and I am confident he will bring that same passion,and energy to our program as a coach," Coach Nutt said. "Eric grew up in a coaching family and has a great appreciation and desire to be successful in this business.",

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Braeuer believes his role as captain last season has played a large part in making the transition from teammate to coach an easy one.

"The guys returning from last season know what to expect from me," Braeuer said. "They know what our expectations and goals are as a team. They’re setting the example and holding the young guys accountable.",

Braeuer added that the accountability stretches beyond the court as well. He added, "The upper-classmen are helping them make the adjustment to this level and showing them what kind of work it takes to succeed.",

Braeuer was a fiery and intense competitor on the court, an attribute that he credits to his father. It’s an intensity that served him well as a player and will help him in his transition to coaching.,

"My dad always taught us that when you step between the lines, it’s all business. As a player it was about making myself better. Now my focus is on how I transfer that intensity to help make the players better, whether it’s in the locker room or practice."

Coach Nutt also expressed his sincere gratitude to his former assistant, Logan Johnson.,

"I can’t say enough about Logan and what he meant to me and our program here at Ouachita," Coach Nutt said.,"Logan was the first person I thought of when I landed this job as head coach three years ago.,When I asked him to join me, he didn’t hesitate one bit to relocate 9 hours away from home,and family.",

Coach Nutt added, "We wish him well with his new position at UNC Asheville."

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