New Braunfels High School Head Basketball Coach David Brawner set school records on his way scoring a massive professional achievement award this season.
Brawner was recently announced as the recipient of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Don Coleman Outstanding Coach Award for Class 6A. Class 6A coaches from across the state are considered for this award.
“It is an honor to be recognized for the Don Coleman Outstanding Coach Award in a state full of so many excellent basketball coaches. Coach Coleman is legendary. He was known for lasting relationships, leaving a legacy that former players have remembered and will remember for a lifetime,” Brawner said. “I hope that as I continue on this journey, I exemplify the leadership attributes that are honored by this award.”
Before being named the award winner, Brawner was a finalist for the Outstanding Coach Award alongside David Piehler of Highland Park, Cornelius Mitchell of Mansfield Legacy and Bryan Shelton of Clear Falls.
Brawner coached the winningest boys basketball team in NBHS history this past year. The Unicorns went 29-6 overall and 8-2 in district play. This season included a stretch when the team won 19 out of 20 games. As a head coach, Brawner has amassed 336 career wins as a head coach.
But, he doesn’t think that his team’s success and the accolades belong to just him.
“To me, this award is a recognition for the growth of our program. It recognizes the values and expectations of Unicorn basketball. I have been surrounded by phenomenal assistant coaches that have bought into our core values, building discipline, togetherness and teamwork,” Brawner said. “Coach Coleman was known for giving back to the game of basketball and I can only hope I can honor his memory.”
The colorfully dressed coach (SEE STORY) led the Unicorns to a bi-district championship and into the second round of the Class 6A playoffs, narrowly falling to Buda Johnson earlier this year.
Brawner played for the Unicorns in high school and later became a coach with stops at San Antonio Southwest, Farris and Troy before returning home to Unicorn Country. He became the NBHS head coach in 2014.
Over his coaching career, he has had plenty of expectations on the court, but each year he expects even more from his players to become service-oriented role models in the community.
“We pour into the lives of our students on and off the court, challenging them to grow and become young men of character that will make a positive impact on our future,” he said. “Over the years, it has been a gift to coach amazing young men. The Lord has blessed my wife and I as He has allowed us to be at my Alma Mater, working in a profession and being part of a program that allows us to shape and mold young people.”
