TicketsCINCINNATI – John Brannen was officially introduced as the 27th head coach of the University of Cincinnati men's basketball program in front a packed house inside the Fifth Third Arena media room Monday morning. Speaking before his new team, members of the University staff, media and his family, Brannen touched on many topics, including style of play, staying in the Tri-State area to coach and how this is "very much a dream job" for the Alexandria, Ky., native.
Welcome @coachbrannen!#Bearcats pic.twitter.com/0sn4dyGBD0
— Cincinnati Men's Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) April 15, 2019
At the podium for the first time, Brannen opened his comments by simply stating, "Humbled, honored and energized".
"I am humbled to be your head coach," Brannen continued. "Two national titles, six Final Fours, eight Elite Eights, 31 All-Americans, and 57 NBA draft picks and counting. That will humble any coach, the tremendous success they've had here. Our goal is to continue Final Fours and national championships. That's the understanding and that's what we will push forward to each and every day. We will divorce ourselves from outcomes and live in the process. We'll do it together and it will be fun. We'll be competitive and we will be a group of young men that you will be honored to call Cincinnati's team.
"This basketball program has been branded in toughness since the day I grew up," Brannen said. "That will not go away; that will continue. The secret sauce is the sacrifice. Good teams become great teams when members trust each other enough to forsake the 'me' for the 'we'. That's a Phil Jackson quote. It's something we'll talk about greatly. Our goal is to build upon the tradition."
Prior to Brannen taking the stage, UC Director of Athletics Mike Bohn spoke about the newest head coach of the Bearcats.
"We were looking for a leader who could help us build upon our 'Class of the League' initiative and identify a Bearcat that really comes from the same cloth as Luke Fickell, Michelle Clark-Heard and Scott Googins, who are just several of our game-changing hires recently," Bohn said. "We wanted someone with that kind of ability to impact UC and put that together.
"As far as what John Brannen represents: impressive basketball acumen, his innovative recruiting prowess and ability as a recruiter," Bohn said. "He's a champion at skill development. Our players are really, really going to love that. He's detail-oriented. He brings fundamental traits that our existing identity has of toughness, tenacity, accountability, coupled with an exciting brand of basketball. We like that; that is really something we were looking for. He has a strong analytical approach to basketball and leadership and the development of young men. Yes, Dr. Pinto, next does live here. It lives in the form of our innovative leader and high-integrity basketball coach who will have a major impact on UC."
With the introduction of a new coach into a program, one impact many are curious about is the style of play Brannen's Bearcats will now employ.
"Everyone wants to know about style of play," Brannen said. "Our style of play is we want to invigorate the fan base and capture your hearts. It will be wrapped around 94 feet both ways, we'll get after it and we'll press full court, we'll attack offensively in transition. It doesn't mean we'll take quick shots but we'll take the first available good shot. Defensively, we want to wear you out and go deep in the shot clock, which is a tradition here; it wins games. We'll have a toughness about us. We will push the basketball and play fast offensively. A term we're going to use, guys in our program is 'chance favors the aggressor'. Chance favors the aggressor and that's what we'll do. We'll be an aggressive basketball team.
"To our fans, make no mistake about it, I grew up in this area," Brannen stated. "This is Cincinnati's team. I've learned that. The other thing I know about our great fans is they know the game of basketball."
Brannen also built more upon his message of ownership in the program, stating, "(To) the former players at UC, my message to you is: it's your program. You built it; it's yours. Regardless of the different eras, it doesn't matter. You're welcome back here anytime."
"I really appreciate you getting on the phone with me. Thank you so much, it's an honor!"@coachbrannen getting the 📞 call from The Big O!#Bearcats pic.twitter.com/ndV1UKI0J2
— Cincinnati Men's Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) April 15, 2019