Chappell returns to LU as assistant coach
Published 1:30 pm Friday, October 6, 2017
Lamar sports information
BEAUMONT – Former Lamar standout Brandon Chappell has been named an assistant coach, LU head coach Tic Price announced Friday morning.
Chappell replaces Brian Burton who left earlier this year to take a position with Fresno State.
“I’ve known Brandon since his days playing at Lamar when I used to coach against him,” said Price. “He and my son developed a rivalry on the court, and later a friendship off the court. I’ve watched Brandon grow from being a basketball player to an ultimate professional.”
Chappell comes to the Golden Triangle from Arkansas-Fort Smith where he spent the past season helping put together one of the best teams in program history. The Lions won the 2017 Heartland Conference regular-season and tournament title to advance to the NCAA Division II tournament. Arkansas-Fort Smith lived up to the preseason hype after entering the year ranked fourth nationally.
The players also reaped the benefits Chappell’s guidance. He helped produce three Heartland Conference all-tournament selections – including the tournament MVP, two all-conference picks, a first-team All-South Region selection and a 2017 NABC First-Team All-American.
“Every head coach has guys on their radar for when a position comes open,” said Price. “I’ve watched Brandon on the road how he presents himself and how he represents his university. Brandon has a great presentation. He also has a great rapport with other coaches in the business, AAU coaches and high school coaches. This young man bleeds red and will be a great fit.”
Prior to his time in Fort Smith, Chappell spent two seasons in Flagstaff, Arizona, serving as a graduate assistant and recruiting coordinator at Northern Arizona. During his time there, the Lumberjacks set a school record for wins and finished second in the 2015 CollegeInsider.com tournament.
“Words can’t describe how excited I am to return to Lamar University,” said Chappell. “Growing up here, and then getting the chance to play here and now getting a professional opportunity means the world to me. I’m going to use that as my motivation every single day.
“I love Lamar, obviously, but this is a business, so for me to make a move it had to be the right time and right situation. Coach Price was the biggest draw for me. I respect what he is doing here and the program that he is building, and I want to be a part of it,” added Chappell.
Chappell made his first stop on campus as a player for head coach Billy Tubbs in the 2000s. A two-time team captain for the Cardinals, Chappell still ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in three-point field goals, three-point field-goal percentage and was among the school all-time top 10 in assists when he graduated. Chappell came to LU after a standout career at Ozen High School where he guided the Panthers to a state championship in 2001 and a second-place finish in 2002.