NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University on Thursday announced the hiring of Evan Bradds as its 11th head men’s basketball coach, bringing the former Bruins star back to his alma mater. The move comes as Belmont transitions to the Missouri Valley Conference and seeks to maintain its competitive edge after a period of sustained success.
Bradds, currently an assistant coach at Duke, will remain with the Blue Devils through their NCAA tournament run, where they are the overall No. 1 seed and will face Siena on Thursday. His appointment marks a full-circle moment for the Jamestown, Ohio native, who excelled as a player for the Bruins from 2013 to 2017.
“Becoming the next head coach at Belmont – a university and program that has played such a huge role in my life – is truly surreal,” Bradds said in a statement released by the university. “Belmont is a special place, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to return and lead our men’s basketball program.”
From Belmont Star to Rising Coaching Talent
Bradds’s connection to Belmont runs deep. During his playing career, he was a two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year (2016, 2017) and finished his time as the program’s all-time leading scorer in Division I basketball. He was also recognized as a third-team Academic All-American in 2016, demonstrating a commitment to excellence both on and off the court. His impressive collegiate career didn’t translate into an NBA draft selection in 2017, but it launched a rapid ascent in the coaching ranks.
After graduating, Bradds began his coaching journey as an assistant with the Maine Red Claws, the G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics, in November 2017. He quickly moved up the ranks, joining the Celtics’ staff in 2018 under then-head coach Brad Stevens. He continued with the Celtics under Ime Udoka before accepting a position with the Utah Jazz in 2022, working under coach Will Hardy.
Most recently, Bradds joined Duke’s staff in May 2025, where his reputation for player development was highly valued. Duke coach Jon Scheyer praised Bradds’s “unbelievable basketball mind, NBA player development experience and a unique ability to build meaningful relationships with players,” adding that his “experience, vision and forward-thinking approach will help keep Duke at the forefront of college basketball.”
Replacing Casey Alexander and a New Era for Belmont
Bradds succeeds Casey Alexander, who departed earlier this month to take the head coaching position at Kansas State. Alexander’s departure created a vacancy at a program consistently known for its success, and Belmont’s athletic director, Scott Corley, expressed confidence in Bradds’s ability to continue that tradition.
“Few student-athletes in the history of our University achieved more, and led more, than Evan,” Corley said in a statement. “In trading his playing jersey for a clipboard, Evan has established himself as a rising star in the coaching community; universally regarded as one of the brightest minds in the game today. His clear communication style and undeniable care for his players is well-documented. But above all else, Evan is a fierce competitor with an unwavering desire to win championships.”
A Coaching Lineage and the Future of Belmont Basketball
Bradds’s coaching pedigree reflects a diverse and successful background. He has learned from some of the most respected minds in basketball, including Stevens, Udoka, and Hardy, and has gained experience at both the professional and collegiate levels. This broad experience is expected to serve him well as he takes the helm at Belmont.
The hiring of Bradds signals a commitment to Belmont’s basketball program and a desire to build upon its recent successes. As the Bruins prepare to compete in the Missouri Valley Conference, they will look to Bradds to provide the leadership and vision necessary to navigate a new competitive landscape. The transition to a new conference presents both challenges and opportunities, and Bradds’s familiarity with the program and his proven coaching ability position him well to lead the Bruins into this next chapter.
Bradds’s grandfather, Gary Bradds, was also a notable basketball player, having been an All-American at Ohio State and playing in the NBA. This family history of basketball excellence adds another layer to Bradds’s story and underscores his deep connection to the sport.
The university has not yet announced a formal introduction date for Coach Bradds, as he remains committed to Duke’s postseason run. However, Belmont fans can anticipate a welcome-home celebration once his duties with the Blue Devils are complete.
The next official update regarding Bradds’s arrival and the start of the off-season program will be released via the Belmont Bruins official athletics website: https://belmontbruins.com/.
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