Matt Braeuer (pronounced BRIAR) has been named director of men’s basketball operations at College of Charleston, as announced by head coach Earl Grant on Tuesday.
The former three-year Wichita State starter still ranks in the Top 10 all-time in career three-pointers made and games played as well as ranks 11th in career assists and steals for the Shockers under head coaches Mark Turgeon and Gregg Marshall, a former CofC assistant coach.
Braeuer’s most recent stop before joining the Cougars included three seasons as an assistant coach from 2013-16 at Sam Houston State under head coach Jason Hooten in Huntsville, Texas. The Bearkats finished among the Top 3 teams in the league in each of those years and reached the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals.
During the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, Sam Houston State made back-to-back appearances in the Southland Tournament championship game and turned in 20-win campaigns (24-11 and 26-9). The Bearkats also earned three postseason berths to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT).
“We are really excited about Matt joining our basketball staff,” Grant said. “He has experienced tremendous success both as a student-athlete and assistant coach. Matt comes at the right time as we look to strengthen our staff and move our program forward. I’m excited about the positive impact he’ll make on our program.”
Before his time at Sam Houston State, Braeuer spent two seasons as men’s basketball video coordinator at the University of Maryland under head coach Mark Turgeon. There, he was responsible for assisting with scouting, game preparation and video analysis of practices and games.
He joined the Terrapins staff after spending one season as an assistant coach at Midland College in Midland, Texas. The Chaparrals went 33-4 and reached the NJCAA Division I national championship game that year.
He was recruited by Mark Turgeon to Wichita State and played for him for three seasons, before Turgeon left to coach Texas A&M. Braeuer started for three seasons at point guard for the Shockers, where he helped Wichita State return to the NCAA Tournament, play in the Sweet Sixteen and earn a Top-10 national ranking.
After his playing days, he served as a graduate assistant for two years at his alma mater under Gregg Marshall and Earl Grant, then an assistant coach for the Shockers, working with the program’s film exchange, practice scheduling, community service events. He also was the Director of Shocker Basketball Camps.
“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to join Coach Grant’s staff at the College of Charleston,” Braeuer said. “During my time playing for and working with Coach Grant at Wichita State, I grew to have great respect for the man he is on-and-off the court.
“My admiration for College of Charleston Basketball began when I was 11 years old with the upset of (No. 22-ranked) Maryland in the 1997 NCAA Tournament. My wife and I can’t wait to join the College of Charleston Family and be a part of such a great community and city.”
During his high school career, Braeuer played for his father, Ed, at Belton High School, where he started at point guard for three seasons. As a senior, he was named a Texas Class 5A First Team All-State and First Team All-Region selection. Braeuer also garnered MVP honors for District 13-5A.
In 2008, he earned his bachelor’s degree in sport administration and his master’s degree in sport management in 2010 – both from Wichita State.
Originally from Belton, Texas, he and his wife, Katie (née Henderson), were recently married on May 14, 2016.
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