Culver-Stockton College’s (C-SC) Women’s Volleyball team and Esports programs are both undergoing an exciting change with the hire of their new head coach/director Joshua Branan. Coach Branan has experience in coaching volleyball at every level and “could not pass up on also helping build the Esports program when the opportunity arose” as he has a strong passion for both volleyball and gaming.
Coach Branan is originally from Marietta, Ga.. Prior to coaching at C-SC Coach Branan has worked at Clarendon College in Texas and Tennessee Wesleyan. He was a volleyball coach at both Clarendon and Tennessee Wesleyan, and an Esports Director at Tennessee Wesleyan.
Coach Branan has stated “ I did not see myself doing anything else” when asked about what led him to be a volleyball coach. As a coach he is very familiar with all levels of the sport since his time playing volleyball. He was hired in place of the Wildcats’ previous head coach Audrye Alejandro-Rivera, after just one season on “The Hill”. When asked about his players, Coach Branan spoke positively about their work ethic and dedication to the program.
So far his plans for the volleyball season is “to make it to the playoffs with the great team he has inherited”. As for his plans for future seasons is “to grow the program into a force within the conference”.
“Be a good teammate and to lead by example” and “We have fun and work hard” are two of the mottos Branan goes by.
One of the other things that Branan enjoys doing is play video games. At Tennessee Wesleyan he was asked if he wanted to be the Esports Director as he was a qualified candidate with his knowledge. From there he helped grow the program. After he was hired as the C-SC volleyball coach, the previous Esports director Clayton Thomas resigned from his position. “So when the opportunity arose to try and help build the program I was honored to take it”.
His expectation for this Esports season is to keep building the program. His goal for future seasons is to expand the number of people who are a part of the program and to expand the game titles from the ones they currently compete in.
Both programs are currently in season and are adjusting well to the new change of coaching with signs that Branan is here to stay with the Wildcats on “The Hill”.
