| WT Head Coach Tom Brown |
| Family: • Wife – Dr. Trisha Brown • Children – TJ, Zach and Ella Education: Coaching History: WT Accolades: |
Follow Coach Brown: @tom_tbrown
Follow The Buffs: @WestTXD2Hoops
Tom Brown, who enters his 10th season at the helm of the West Texas A&M men’s basketball program, has built the Buffs into one of the elite NCAA Division II programs in the nation. He has guided WT to seven consecutive NCAA Tournaments including the Buffs first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship game in 2021.
Brown was hired as the 17th head coach in program history on April 16, 2014. In the past six seasons, Coach Brown and his staff are 173-26 (.869) and average over 28 wins a season with appearances in the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and National Title game.
During his time in Canyon, Brown is 237-57 (.806) overall and 122-32 (.792) in league action.
2022-23 saw the Buffs end with a 27-7 record, appearing in the NCAA Tournament for a 21st time. Along with the NCAA appearance, WT also secured the Lone Star Conference Regular Season title and it’s sixth-consecutive Lone Star Conference Tournament title. In the title game, Zach Toussaint nailed a go-ahead jumper with less than three seconds to play, pushing the Buffs over Angelo State. WT eventually made its way to the South Central Regional Championship where a final shot left the hand a fraction of a second too late, ending the Buffs’ season in heartbreak. Julius Brown was named the LSC Player of the Year while Damion Thornton earned Newcomer of the Year and Toussaint picked up Sixth Man of the Year. Brown and Thornton went on to win All-Region awards and Brown was named a D2CCA Honorable Mention All-American.
In 2021-22, WT finished the season 29-7 while making the programs 20th NCAA Tournament appearance. The Buffs made another historic postseason run after becoming the only program in Lone Star Conference history to win five straight conference tournament titles. Coach Brown registered his 200th career victory on Jan. 31, 2022, after the Buffs defeated St. Edward’s, 82-72. He joins former WT head coach and current Texas Tech Men’s Basketball Chief of Staff Rick Cooper as the only coaches in program history to reach the 200-win plateau.
The Buffs had another historic season in 2020-21 as they finished 19-3 overall including a trip to the NCAA DII Championship against Northwest Missouri State. Zach Toussaint became an overnight sensation as the sophomore hit a game-winner in the Final Four to give them a 87-86 victory Lincoln Memorial. They defeated Daemen 97-83 in the quarterfinal in their first game as a No. 1 seed in the Elite Eight.
Qua Grant scored a career-high 40 points in the Buffs 101-92 victory over No. 10 Lubbock Christian in the South Central Regional Final at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock. The junior was named the South Central Regional Player of the year. Qua was also named the LSC Tournament Most Valuable Player after leading the Buffs to their fourth straight league title with a 108-89 victory over St. Edward’s.
In 2019-20, WT finished the season with a remarkable 32-1 record. WT recorded the most wins (32) and highest winning percentage (97%) in the nation. The only other team with 32 wins and the identical record was Lincoln Memorial. LMU was taken down by the Buffs in the first game of the season at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Tournament. The Buffs were the only team to hand LMU an “L” on the season. The Buffs entered the game vs LMU as the #7 ranked team in the country and LMU was ranked #6 in the country. The Buffs took that ranking personal and went on to defeat LMU 99-89 to open the season.
The Buffs opened the season ranked #7 in the country and never fell out of the top 10 all season long. WT finished the season ranked as the #3 team in the country by the NABC.
Brown was named the LSC Coach of the Year for a third consecutive year after leading the Buffs to the No. 1 seed and host of the NCAA DII South Central Regional for the third straight year before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coach Brown was also named South Central Regional Coach of the year for the second time in his tenure.
The Buffs won 32 or more games for the third straight season!
WT finished the season on a program best 23 game win streak. The Buffs also own the nation’s longest home win streak at 42 games after going 16-0 at the First United Bank Center.
WT defeated No. 9 St. Edward’s in the LSC Championship game, 81-65, to become the second school in LSC history to win three straight titles and first since 1987. JoJo Murray was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player after going for 21 points and eight rebounds in the final in Frisco. Murray and Qua Grant were named NABC All-Americans while also being named to the Bevo Francis Top 25 Watch List.
Grant was named D2CCA First Team All-American after earning South Central Regional Player of the Year. The sophomore became the second straight Buff and third in four years (Ryan Quaid 2019 and David Chavlovich 2018) to be named LSC Player of the Year as well as South Central Regional Player of the Year.
Joel Murray earned First Team All-LSC and was on the All-Defensive Team for the second straight year. Also earning LSC accolades was Derrick Geddis, as he was named (Third Team), Jon’il Fugett (Honorable Mention) and Zach Toussaint(All-Freshman).
Jordan Collins appeared in the most games in WT history (142). Jordan also finished his four-year career as the winningest player in program history (124-18)(87.3%) while ranking sixth in 3-point makes and attempts. He went an incredible 65-1 (98.4%) at home since joining the program in 2016. He scored a career-high 20 points on Senior Night at the FUBC going 6-of-13 from beyond the arc. He also went 4-of-5 from downtown against SEU to lead WT to the LSC Championship for the third straight season. In LSC tournament play Jordan was an outstanding 9-1.
Eric Mosley appeared in the third most games in program history (121) during his career as a Buff. The 6 foot 5 guard started in all 33 games as a senior in 2019-20 where he averaged a career-high 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 15 points against Lubbock Christian on Jan. 6. He also made four 3-pointers in the LSC Championship game against the nationally ranked Hilltoppers.
In 2018-19, Brown took WT to new heights again as he led the Buffs to another school record of 34 wins. Breaking the previous record of 32 wins set in 2017-18. This is the second time in WT history that the basketball program has reached the 30-plus win plateau. Coach Brown also led the squad to a Lone Star Conference Regular Season Title as well as the Lone Star Conference Tournament Title. The Buffs went on to host and win the NCAA Division II South Central Region Championship. The Buffs knocked off then #4 ranked St. Edward’s in the regional championship game to capture the South Central Title in the First United Bank Center . WT finished the season 34-4 and an appearance in the Elite Eight in Evansville, IN. After winning a program-record 19 straight games and being ranked in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Top 25 all season the Buffs finished the season ranked #3 in the country. The Buffs have won more games each year (17, 21, 26, 32, 34) and have never had a losing season with Coaches Brown/Gove/Henderson and Kratz on the sidelines.
Brown won his 100th game on the road in a 112-87 victory over Adams State on November 10, 2018 in Gunnison, CO making him the fastest to 100 wins in school history.
Protecting home court has been a point of emphasis for Coach Brown and the Buffs. The Buffs finished the season a perfect 17-0 at home improving Brown’s record at the friendly confines of the First United Bank Center to an incredible 74-8 (.902). The fans have shown their support for the Buffs as the Buffs Finished 1st in the LSC and 9th in the nation in total attendance (25,161). Brown was named the LSC Coach of the Year after leading the Buffs to a 17-1 LSC record.
Ryan Quaid was recognized as one of the top players in the nation as the senior earned numerous All-American honors. Ryan throughout his career has amassed an incredible amount of honors. Just to name a few, Ryan was honored as the Academic Player of the Year, LSC Player of the Year and the South Central Region Player of the Year. He finished his four-year career as the program’s all-time leader in rebounds while becoming the first player to record 1,700 points, 1,000 rebounds and 100 blocks in a career. He finishes his career at WT with a 113-27 career record (winningest player in WT History). He played in three NCAA Sweet 16’s, two NCAA Elite 8’s and one NCAA Final 4. Ryan Quaid is from Fort Collins, CO and graduated with a double major in Finance and Accounting.
Gach Gach was a starter for two seasons and played on the two best teams ever to play at WT. He won Back2Back LSC and LSC Tournament Titles. His LSC Tournament record was a perfect 6-0. His NCAA South Central Regional Record was also a perfect 6-0. In his career he made 152 3-Pointers (6th All-Time), attempted 473 3-Pointers (5th All-Time) and finished with 748 Career points in 2 Seasons. He played in two NCAA Elite 8’s and one NCAA Final 4. Gach was honored by the WT Buffalo Club as the Student Athlete of the Month (December 2018). He has an unprecedented record of 66-8 (.891). Gach Gach is from Austin, MN and graduated with a SES Degree.
Brandon Hall started every game on the winningest team in WT school history. He led the Buffs to a LSC and LSC Tournament title. Brandon was named LSC Tournament Most Valuable Player as he had 32 Points and 10 Rebounds in the Lone Star Conference Title Game! He led the team to the South Central Regional Title and a trip to the Elite 8. Brandon finished his career with the best winning percentage in school history. Brandon was 34-4 (.894) in his career here at WT. Brandon Hall is from Arlington, TX and will graduate with a Sport Leadership and Recreation degree from Emporia State.
Qua Grant had an impressive freshman season under Coach Brown as the Waxahachie, Texas native was named the Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year while earning 1st Team All-LSC and 1st Team All South Central Region. Qua was also named the Freshman of the Year at the All-Sports Banquet at WT.
Joel Murray also made an impression on the LSC as he was named to the Lone Star Conference All-Defensive Team as well as 2ndteam All-LSC.
The Buffs led the nation in two categories in 2018-19, including three-point field goals attempted (1,128) and free throws attempted (859). They also ranked second in free throws made (600) and fifth in three-point field goals made (381).
In 2017-18, the Buffs accomplished a record-setting year on many fronts. Coach Brown and the Buffs won an incredible 32 games breaking a 76 year old record of 29 wins, set back in 1940-41. Brown also guided WT to its first Lone Star Conference regular season title since 1994 and won the program’s first Lone Star Conference Tournament title since 2007. The Buffs went 25-3 during the regular season and hosted the first NCAA South Central Regional since 1997-98. The Buffs went on to win the South Central Regional in a heated game vs UTPB. The Buffs led 50-32 at halftime and withstood some serious blows to end up winning 95-87. The Buffs advanced to the Elite 8 in Sioux Falls, SD were they took down #5 seed Le Moyne College and Coach Patrick Beilein. The Buffs finished their season making the NCAA Final 4 for the first time in school history. WT was ranked as high as No. 7 nationally during the season in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Top 25 as well as being ranked in every poll throughout the season!
Senior David Chavlovich become the most decorated player in program history as he earned multiple All-American selections, while earning first team all-conference honors for the fourth time and was named South Central Region Tournament Most Valuable Player. He owns the LSC record for career scoring with 2,490 points, ranking in the top 30 all-time in NCAA Division II. Chavlovich finished his senior campaign second in field goal attempts with 537. Senior Jordan Evans earned second team all-conference honors. Jordan leaves with 1,455 career points and tallied a school-record 135 triples in 2017-18, ranking second nationally, while leading the nation in 3-point field goal attempts with 327. Junior Ryan Quaid was named LSC Academic Player of the Year, as well as first team all-LSC. Freshman Gaige Prim was named LSC Freshman of the Year. Brown earned LSC Coach of the Year honor and South Central Regional Coach of the Year honor. Brown has guided the Buffs to four-straight winning seasons.
The Buffs led the nation in four categories this season, including 3-point field goals made (421), 3-point field goals attempted (1,333), free throws made (695) and free throws attempted (894). WT finished third in rebounding (1,464), while ranking seventh in scoring margin (14.6) and ninth in scoring offense at 88.4 points per game.
In 2016-17, Brown guided the team to a 26-9 record with six wins over ranked teams as the Buffs were ranked as high as No. 11 nationally during the season. WT won two NCAA South Central Region Tournament games for the first time since 1997-98, reaching the postseason for the first time since 2011-12 and making the program’s 14th overall appearance. Brown guided the Buffs to their second Sweet 16 and first Sweet 16 since 1997-98. The 26 wins by the Buffs were the most since the 1997-98 season. WT won 25 NCAA Division II games in 2016-17, marking the most Division II wins in a season and the 26 overall wins ties for fourth-most in program history. Chavlovich earned first team all-conference honors for the third-straight year, while Evans earned second team honors, senior Eric Golightly, Jr., and Quaid were named to the LSC All-Academic Team. Under Brown’s guidance, Chavlovich became the program’s all-time leading scorer for the Buffs with 1,762 career points as he surpassed former Buff Martin Lattibeaudiere (1993-97) with 1,566 points.
In 2015-16, Brown and the Buffs continued their upward ascent both regionally and nationally. Brown guided the Buffs to a 21-10 season, marking the team’s first 20-plus win season since 2010-11. WT finished second in the Lone Star Conference, marking the highest finish for the program since the LSC moved away from divisions. Chavlovich earned NABC All-America honors, named LSC Player of the Year honors and sophomore Jordan Evans received honorable mention all-league honors in his first playing season.
In 2014-15, Coach Brown’s inaugural season at WT he inherited a program coming off a 10-17 campaign in 2013-14. Brown was left with three seniors and a walk on freshman. He quickly turned the program around going 17-12 and 7-7 in Lone Star Conference play after the Buffs won just two league games the season before. Brown guided the team to a fifth-place league finish in his inaugural campaign. Senior Miles Gatewood earned honorable mention all-conference honors, senior Tez Dumars surpassed Maurice Cheeks in career scoring finishing fourth all-time in points scored, while senior Antjuan Ball was honored on the LSC All-Defensive Team. Freshman and Brown’s recruit, David Chavlovich, began his storied career leading the team in scoring, earning second team all-conference honors and LSC Freshman of the Year accolades, averaging 16.5 points to go along with 93 assists and 30 steals.
Prior to West Texas A&M, Tom Brown was the Associate Head Coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division II Winona State University in Winona, MN (1998-2014). While at Winona State, Brown and the Warriors won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2006 and 2008. During that time the team compiled an impressive record of 105-6. Brown and the Warriors went to the NCAA Tournament 10 times and a string of seven-straight from 2005-2011. Brown and the Warriors reached the Elite Eight four times, most recently in 2013. Named Division II Bulletin’s ‘Program of the Decade’ for 2000-2009, WSU set a NCAA Division II record with 57 consecutive wins, a run that began on Jan. 13, 2006, and didn’t end until the national title game on Mar. 24, 2007. With Coach Brown on the sidelines the 2007-08 Warrior squad won a NCAA record 38 games. Brown 
Brown attended and played basketball at Winona State from 1988-1992. He finished his Warrior career ranked fifth in program history in scoring, second in assists and first in steals. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1993 in physical education and completed his master’s degree in education in 1998.
Prior to Winona State, Brown was the Head Basketball Coach, Golf Coach, Junior High Cross Country Coach and Athletic Director at Gilmanton HS in Gilmanton, WI (1994-98). Coach Brown’s basketball team had four winning seasons and won two regional titles as well as two conference titles.
He and his wife, Dr. Trisha Brown, are the proud parents of three children, TJ, Zach and Ella. Dr. Brown currently is an Assistant Professor in the Sports & Exercise Science Department at West Texas A&M University.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH BROWN:
“Coach Brown is always very intentional to create an environment for his student-athletes to be successful. He knows environment is key to the success on the court, in the classroom and life after basketball. He creates a family-feel in his program and it shows on and off the court. Tom has a calm and composed presence, but is always willing to battle for his team. He is an impressive individual. “
– Kimberly Dudley, Assistant Athletic Director for Leadership at West Texas A&M
“Tom and staff have delivered the finest basketball teams in the history of the university, winning conference championships, regional championships and advancing to the Elite Eight two consecutive years. The program has become a flagship program for the university, and Tom manages his staff and team exceedingly well. Alumni engagement is strong, as are relations with key donors and season ticket holders. Recruiting is outstanding, as the caliber of student-athletes is unmatched in the Lone Star Conference.”
– Michael McBroom, Director of Athletics at West Texas A&M
“What Coach Brown has done with the WT Buff Basketball program is extraordinary. He and his staff have taken the Buffs to a whole new level on the national scene in NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball. The impact that he and his staff have had on the men’s basketball program, the athletic department, the University and the Canyon/Amarillo area is impossible to overstate. His teams are always well coached, act right, play extremely hard, and a pleasure to watch and they win big. It is obvious when you watch his teams play that the young men in his program are having the experience of a lifetime.”
– Rick Cooper, Current Chief of Staff at Texas Tech
Former Director of Athletics at Wayland Baptist and All-Time Winningest Basketball Coach in WT History
| Tom Brown’s Career Coaching Records | |||
| Year | School | Record (Conf.) | Postseason |
| 2022-23 | West Texas A&M | 27-7 (20-2) | LSC Regular Season Champions, LSC Tournament Champions, NCAA Sweet Sixteen |
| 2021-22 | West Texas A&M | 29-7 (11-5) | LSC Tournament Champions, NCAA Regional Semifinals |
| 2020-21 | West Texas A&M | 19-3 (10-2) | LSC Tournament Champions, NCAA South Central Region Champions, NCAA Runner-ups |
| 2019-20 | West Texas A&M | 32-1 (21-1) | LSC Divisional Champions, LSC Tournament Champions |
| 2018-19 | West Texas A&M | 34-4 (17-1) | LSC Regular Season Champions, LSC Tournament Champions, NCAA South Central Region Champions, NCAA Elite Eight |
| 2017-18 | West Texas A&M | 32-4 (15-3) | LSC Regular Season Champions, LSC Tournament Champions, NCAA South Central Region Champions, NCAA Final Four |
| 2016-17 | West Texas A&M | 26-9 (12-6) | LSC Tournament Quarterfinals, NCAA Sweet Sixteen |
| 2015-16 | West Texas A&M | 21-10 (9-5) | LSC Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2014-15 | West Texas A&M | 17-12 (7-7) | LSC Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2013-14 | Winona State | 26-8 (18-4) | NCAA Regional Quarterfinals |
| 2012-13 | Winona State | 27-7 (17-5) | NCAA Regional Champions, NCAA Elite Eight |
| 2011-12 | Winona State | 25-5 (19-3) | NSIC Tournament Semifinals |
| 2010-11 | Winona State | 20-10 (13-7) | NSIC Tournament Champions, NCAA Regional Quarterfinals |
| 2009-10 | Winona State | 20-10 (13-7) | NCAA Regional Quarterfinals |
| 2008-09 | Winona State | 24-9 (15-5) | NCAA Regional Semifinals |
| 2007-08 | Winona State | 38-1 (18-0) | NSIC Champions, NSIC Tournament Champions, NCAA Regional Champions, NCAA National Champions |
| 2006-07 | Winona State | 35-1 (18-0) | NSIC Champions, NSIC Tournament Champions, NCAA Regional Champions, NCAA National Finalists |
| 2005-06 | Winona State | 32-4 (13-1) | NSIC Champions, NSIC Tournament Champions, NCAA Regional Champions, NCAA National Champions |
| 2004-05 | Winona State | 24-11 (12-2) | NCAA Regional Semifinals |
| 2003-04 | Winona State | 17-12 (10-6) | |
| 2002-03 | Winona State | 11-17 (10-8) | |
| 2001-02 | Winona State | 14-13 (10-8) | |
| 2000-01 | Winona State | 21-9 (15-3) | NSIC Tournament Champions, NCAA Regional Quarterfinals |
| 1999-00 | Winona State | 19-9 (15-3) | NSIC Champions |
| 1998-99 | Winona State | 15-12 (10-2) | NSIC Champions |
| At WT Career |
237-57 (.806) 605-195 (.756) |
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