For 2006 Rushville Consolidated High School graduate Brandon Tucker, taking over the Lions basketball program is more than just a new career move; it is a homecoming twenty years in the making. After a winding journey through college ball and a diverse coaching career across multiple states, Tucker is returning to the community that molded him. In this exclusive Q&A, Coach Tucker shares his vision for a fast, physical brand of basketball, his plans to build a lasting culture from the youth leagues up, and why leading the Lions is truly his absolute dream job.
What attracted you to this opportunity?
Rushville is home. I am a 2006 graduate of RCHS. Rushville molded me into the person I am today. Rushville prepared me for the opportunities I’ve had throughout my career as a coach, and I wanted to come back home to give back to the community that has given so much to me.
Can you tell us a little about your background and coaching journey?
After high school, I played 3 years of college basketball at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. I started coaching when I was 21 years old. My first stop was at Greenfield-Central High School. After 2 years there, I returned to Alabama and started coaching at Madison Academy for 1 year. During that year, I had the opportunity to win a state championship and coached a McDonald's All-American at Madison Academy. I returned to the University of Alabama-Huntsville for 1 year to coach at the collegiate level. I thought we would be there for a long time, but we moved to West Virginia, and I was lucky to get on staff at West Virginia State University for a few years. When we returned to Alabama, I spent 5 more seasons at Madison Academy before taking over at West Morgan as the Head Coach. For the previous two years, I have been the Head Coach at Lindsay Lane Christian Academy.
Who or what inspired you to become a coach?
There is a whole list! First, I would have to say my dad, David Tucker. That is how a lot of Rushville guys around my age view him, as a coach. He fueled my passion and love for the game of basketball. He was definitely my hero. Kerry Brown also had a huge impact on my life. He molded me into the player I was in high school, which gave me opportunities to continue my playing career after. Because of him, I made connections outside of Indiana that continued to further my growth in basketball. My college coach, Lennie Acuff, has been a huge supporter of mine since I was 18 years old. I know he is not a name around east-central Indiana, but I suggest anyone who loves basketball look him up. I have never had a conversation with Coach Acuff where I didn't learn something. If I wasn't learning about basketball, I was learning about life and how to be a better person. My style of coaching and philosophy of coaching are shaped around the values I learned from him.
Coach Brandon Tucker pictured on the 2006 RCHS Varsity Basketball Team (Number 32, Center)
What are your goals for the program moving forward?
Rushville has a proud tradition of basketball. We had a lot of success when I had the opportunity to play here, and I want to see that success come back. Obviously, we want to start competing for Sectional Championships again, but to get there, we have to work! Each day we are in the gym as a team is a chance for us to get better, and we have to take advantage of that. Our youth program also has to be a big aspect of our program. We are not looking for a flash-in-the-pan type of program where we are good for just one year. Our goal is to make a successful program where we are competing year in and year out.
What kind of culture do you hope to build within the team?
Our teams are going to be known for playing a fast, physical brand of basketball that is selfless and is more about the success of the team rather than the success of an individual. Culture, for me, is all about family. I let the students who play for me know that I am here for them for the rest of my life. It is awesome that the older I get to get the invites to weddings of former players as well as other great things going on in their lives.
What values do you want your athletes to take away from their experience?
My job as the head coach is to teach the boys the game of basketball and how it should be played; it is so much more than that. I want to make sure I have done my part in getting these young men ready to succeed in life after high school. There are so many things sports can teach athletes: How to work with others, how to work through conflict, and how to overcome adversity are just a few things.
What do you believe makes high school athletics special?
I want to harp on why Rushville athletics are special! You take it for granted as a student athlete going through it, but the support that the Rushville community gives to their athletic programs is like nothing I have seen anywhere else I have been. Our team gets to play in what I believe is the best gym in the state of Indiana! The school corporation has also invested in its athletic programs with the building of the weight room and hiring of a full-time strength coach. Those are things we wish we had as athletes when I was in school!
How would former players describe your coaching style?
Former players would say expectations are high for my teams. I hold them accountable to meet my expectations daily. When we are on the court, in the weight room, or learning in our classes each day, I am a no-nonsense type of guy. We are there to get better! I think former players also like my style of basketball. Fast-paced, with some freedom for them to make plays.
What are your thoughts on building excitement around our athletic programs?
You are going to see my family and me at a lot of events outside of the basketball program. Like I already mentioned, the support of the community is second to none in Rushville. I think we have good student support. If we can grow that student support and have a loud and excited student section for all sports, it just gives us that much more of a home-field/court advantage.
How do you hope to connect with younger athletes and future Rushville Lions?
The youth programs at Rushville are going to be a big aspect of our program. Our current Lions and High School staff will be big supporters of our youth programs.
What’s your favorite sports memory as a coach or athlete?
My favorite as a coach is being a part of a state championship staff. That team was loaded with basketball talent, but they were even better people. I love catching up with those guys as much as I can.
My favorite as a player would be in college when we played at Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt was a nationally ranked SEC team when we played them. It was the best college game I ever played. We lost, but it still sticks out to me because of all the support I had from family and friends from Indiana who drove down to watch us play that day.
What are you most excited to experience in Rushville?
I think the thing I am most excited to experience about coming back to Rushville is how my wife (Katie) and kids (Brandon Jr, Paxton, and Audrey Kate) are going to handle the cold! They have been to Rushville multiple times over the years; they are all southerners, so to see them deal with real cold is going to be something!
Coach Tucker and his family; Wife Katie Tucker, and three children Brandon Jr, Paxton, and Audrey Kate
What are you most thankful for as you begin this new role?
Beyond thankful for the opportunity to be the head of the Rushville Lions! This is my dream job. This is my Indiana or Purdue. I have wanted to be the head coach of the Lions since I played for them over 20 years ago. Now that I have the opportunity, it's time to get to work!
Any final message for the community?
My family and I cannot wait to get to Rushville and become part of the community. Our program is going to represent Rushville to the best of its ability! We are going to put a team on the floor each night that you will be proud of representing our town. We look forward to seeing you in November as we start our new season!
Coach Tucker’s journey proves that while basketball can take you all over the country, there is truly no place like home. With a deeply rooted love for the community, a proven coaching pedigree, and a clear vision for the future, the new era of Lions basketball is in passionate hands. The countdown to November is officially on; be sure to pack the stands this winter, get loud, and welcome the Tucker family back home to Rushville!
