Southern Wesleyan is excited to announce Brian Hewitt as the Interim Head Men’s Basketball Coach for the Warriors.
“I am thrilled to see Brian slide one seat down and take on the Head Coach position,” said Director of Athletics Julia Reininga. “He has gained knowledge at three wonderful programs and under three outstanding coaches over his career and I know he is ready for this next step. It will be exciting to see him showcase his own coaching style here at Southern Wesleyan University.”
Brian Hewitt came to the Warriors team in the fall of 2021 as the assistant men’s basketball coach. Alongside former Head Coach Nick Pasqua, Hewitt helped the Warriors go 19-10 and 16-7 in Conference Carolinas action over the 2021-22 season. Southern Wesleyan advanced to the semifinals while winning sixteen conference games, the most victories the school has seen since transitioning to Division II. During their 2021-22 campaign, the Warriors were able to defeat the #5 nationally ranked UNC Pembroke Braves, giving them their best conference win in school history.
Prior to coaching for the Warriors, Hewitt served as an assistant coach at Lee University under Head Coach Ryan “Bubba” Smith. While with Lee, he assisted the staff in leading the Flames to finish second in their conference, which was their highest finish in school history. The Flames would go on to advance to the conference tournament semifinals and receive an at large bid to the national tournament before the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.
A product of King University, Hewitt went on to serve on the King Tornado coaching staff for three years under legendary coach, George Pitts. While serving as an assistant coach for the Tornado, the team went on to win two regular season conference championships and one conference tournament championship. The Tornado went on to appear in the national tournament twice while Hewitt was an assistant coach.
Over the course of his career, Hewitt has coached four First Team All-Conference athletes along with several Second and Third Team All-Conference Players. He has had one athlete named Freshman of the Year, one named Player of the Year and two named All-Region Players under his guidance.
Prior to coaching, he attended King University where he was a member of the Tornado Men’s Basketball team. During his time with the Tornado, he surpassed 1000 points and remains ranked seventh in the program with 200 made three point baskets to give him a 38.2% from beyond the arc. During his career with King, he averaged 12.3 points per game. Hewitt remains the all-time leader in school history for the Tornado in career steals (193) and assists (448). Hewitt earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management from King University in 2012.
“I am extremely excited and humbled for the opportunity to become the next head coach at Southern Wesleyan University,” Hewitt commented. “Continuing the recent success that the program has had, I plan to grow the tradition that has been established here. Bringing student-athletes who can compete at the highest level and make the campus and community proud while doing so is what I strive to do. Go Warriors!”
Brian Hewitt is set to start leading the Warriors’ Men’s Basketball program immediately. He and his wife, Amy, and sons Karter (3) and Paxton (1) are currently in the process of relocating from Bristol, TN.
https://swuathletics.com/news/2022/5/16/hewitt-promoted-to-interim-head-mens-basketball-coach.aspx
