Photo provided
Brandon Williams (above) is the head coach of the eighth grade boys and seventh grade girls basketball teams at Krueger Middle School. Williams encourages his students through uplifting words and acts of kindness.
Krueger’s Brandon Williams motivates youth through creativity and basketball
By Iyanna Adkins
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY – Most coaches don’t have their players read poetry before games.
Brandon Williams isn’t like most coaches.
He believes that developing his student-athletes as young men and women is more important than how they compete on the basketball court. This includes having them read “If” by Rudyard Kipling on game day.
It’s a part of getting them ready for the world and what it may have to offer.
“If I’m a good coach, it’s gonna tell 10 years from now (based on) where our players are, how they’re doing (and) where they’re performing,” Williams said.
Williams, head coach of the Krueger Middle School eighth grade boys and seventh grade girls basketball teams, is about lifting others up through words and the game.
“It’s just dope seeing people get better,” Williams said.
He has been successful. This year’s eighth grade boys team and seventh grade girls team had respective records of 9-3 and 6-2.
Ultimately, Williams does not measure success by wins and losses, but rather how he sees people growing from his coaching.
“Even if we went undefeated, that does not mean I’m a good coach,” Williams said. ”Even if we lost every game, that does not mean I’m a bad coach.”
Williams’ journey began at Niemann Elementary School. As a youngster, he watched basketball greats such as Michael Jordan.
“When Jordan was playing, man, that made you wanna get like him,” Williams said.
Another influence for Williams was church, which sparked a creative outlet for him in playing the drums. Church has always been very big throughout his family.
Even though he often wished to be with other kids while they were outside, as Williams got older he saw being in church as a blessing.
“Sometimes I would be a little upset, but right now I am very grateful for my people having me in the church,” he said.
That played a big role in how he later lived his life. Although he did not play basketball throughout all his youth, the interest stuck with him. This passion later led to him coaching at the now-defunct Elston Middle School.
While coaching at Elston, he developed a friendship with coach John Boyd. That turned into a job as an assistant coach in the Michigan City boys basketball program.
“(Boyd) has had a big impact on me by always telling me the right way to go,” Williams said.
The two of them bonded over their common interests, such as both of them attending Indiana University, their faith and their passion for helping the city’s youth reach their goals.
“I knew right from the start (Williams) would be a great fit as a coach, because he has the passion, the will and the desire to help children,” coach Boyd said.
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Coach John Boyd (center, seated) and coach Brandon Williams (standing, to Boyd’s left) talk to players during a Michigan City High School boys basketball game. Williams and Boyd developed a strong friendship through coaching that continues to this day.
Eventually, Williams was inspired to lead his own program. He took the things coach Boyd taught him and developed his own philosophy.
This includes mixing in meditation with his practices.
“Silence is the background of all thoughts,” Williams said. “Because at times, we get busy doing so much we forget to sit and take that time out for yourself.”
He also gives his students a listening ear and encourages them to want better for themselves.
“Sometimes a person needs some genuine encouragement,” Williams said. “Someone in their ear saying it’s going to be alright.”
Someone who has experienced that listening ear is Isaiah Smoot, who started on the eighth grade boys team in the 2021-22 season.
“(Coach Williams is someone) that can help me through life,” Smoot said. “He has taught me how to be a good, young Black man.”
Photo provided
Brandon Williams (right) values his family, including (from left) his mother, Hattie Jackson; youngest son, Brayden; oldest daughter, Bria; and oldest son, Ashton.
Yet, he’s most proud of his four kids – Bria, 13, Ashton, 6, Brayden, 6, and Christiana, 5.
“They’re definitely a blessing to me, and they constantly motivate me,” Williams said.
He also is still active in his church home, and finds peace in praying, family and meditation.
Although he’s not done working hard to achieve his goals, he’s at peace with where he’s at today.
“I’m blessed – wait no man I’m triple blessed, because as of right now I have everything I want and need,” Williams said. “And I am grateful to be around so much love, and sometimes that is what a lot of us really need.”