Former Lamar men’s basketball assistant coach Brandon Chappell has been hired as an assistant coach for the UNLV men’s basketball program, head coach Kevin Kruger announced. Chappell joins Tim Buckley and Carlin Hartman to complete Kruger’s coaching staff.
Chappell comes to Las Vegas after serving four seasons on the bench for the Cardinals program, where he was also a standout player.
“We are very excited for Brandon to be joining us here at UNLV,” Kruger said. “The way he cultivates relationships with the players he coaches is second-to-none. Having been a collegiate athlete and a professional overseas, he brings tremendous experience, insight and leadership abilities. He will be a great mentor for our student-athletes.”
Chappell helped coach Lamar to 20 wins for the first time in seven seasons. He also coached the Southland Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year this past season and also helped multiple Cardinals players earn first team all-conference honors.
“UNLV is a very special place,” Chappell said. “My excitement and gratitude for this opportunity is unmatched. I fully believe in Coach Kruger’s vision and values for this program. On top of that, the history, love and respect for the Runnin’ Rebels is everywhere. I’m just ready to work!”
Prior to returning to Lamar, the Beaumont, Texas, native coached at Arkansas-Fort Smith where he spent one season (2016-17). The Lions won the Heartland Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and made an appearance in the NCAA Division II tournament.
While at Arkansas-Fort Smith, he helped produce three Heartland Conference All-Tournament selections, including the tournament MVP. The team also had two all-conference picks, a first-team All-South Region selection and a NABC First-Team All-American.
Chappell also spent two seasons at Northern Arizona (2014-16), serving as a graduate assistant and recruiting coordinator during the same time Kruger was an assistant coach (2014-15). While Chappell was with the Lumberjacks, they set a school record for wins and finished second in the 2015 CollegeInsider.com tournament. The program produced three All-Big Sky players, including the 2015 Defensive Player of the Year.
Chappell began his collegiate coaching career at Armstrong State as an assistant coach (2013-14) after working with Nike Basketball Camps (2012-13).
Chappell played at Lamar (2003-07) under head coach Billy Tubbs. A two-time team captain for the Cardinals, he still ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in 3-pointers made (140), 3-point field-goal percentage (.394) and was among the school’s all-time top-10 in assists (241) when his collegiate playing days ended. He went on to play professionally from 2007-12 with BBC Bayreuth, TV Langen and Licher Basket Baerens in the Pro A German Basketball League.
Chappell graduated from Lamar in 2006 with his bachelor’s degree in business administration-marketing. He earned his master’s degree in educational leadership in 2016 from NAU. Chappell was also a standout at Ozen High School in Beaumont where he helped guide the Panthers to the 4A state title game. He was a teammate at Ozen of 2008 NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins (Boston Celtics).
OFFICIAL: Chappell joins UNLV Basketball Staff
Photo Courtesy UNLV Athletics
