Reese leaving Midland High to be Crandall basketball coach
Brad Reese has been a big part of the West Texas basketball scene since playing for Texas Tech in 2009-11.
Reese announced on social media Wednesday that he is leaving his position as Midland High boys basketball coach to accept the same position with Crandall, which is a Class 5A program that went 16-16 and was 8-6 in district this past year.
Reese told the Reporter-Telegram that the Crandall ISD school board approved his hire on Monday.
Reese spent three years as the head boys basketball coach of the Bulldogs program since being hired away from Monahans where he coached from 2019-23.
The Bulldogs went 9-24 overall and 1-9 in District 2-6A this past season in Reese's last year.
"It's a good opportunity to head to the Metroplex," Reese said. "It's a small town feel (at Crandall), but it's in the middle of the Metroplex in terms of basketball."
Reese leaves an MHS program that has a storied tradition but has been through down times even before he arrived, as the Bulldogs last made the playoffs during the 2018-19 season.
Reese said it was difficult to leave an experienced group that includes juniors Isaac Lujan Mark Gomez and Tyran Satterwhite, and sophomores MJ Washington and Gedriel Luquis.
All five players earned all-district honors this past season and provide an experienced foundation for the next head coach.
"It was hard," Reese said. "People might say this and that, but it wasn't an easy decision because these kids, the relationships we had and how hard they worked for us. They made my job a lot easier. They competed. We feel like we have one of the better programs out here. Whoever takes this job is coming into a really good spot. I feel like that because they are so close.
"You watched them the last couple of years, watched them get better and better. Some of these guys still have two years left of high school. I'm excited to watch them from afar but I will definitely be a Midland High fan. It's a good job. I really think that. That's why it was so tough to leave."
Reese joins a Crandall team that competes in District 15-5A with Cedar Hill, Corsicana, De Soto, Ennis, Lancaster, Midlothian and Midlothian Heritage next season.
"It's a really, really high level of basketball district," Reese said. "At the end of the day, that's what I needed. That's the next challenge for me to be in the fire and really learn and grow as a coach continuously. I'm excited for the opportunity to compete against high level kids every single night."
Reese, who is originally from Laurel Hill, Florida, said he wasn't actively looking for a job, but when the Crandall opportunity opened, it was the right fit for him and his family.
Reese ends his MHS coaching stint with a 32-68 record.
He averaged 11.5 points as a forward for the Red Raiders men's basketball program during his 2010-11 senior season.
"Just thank you to Midland, the administration, everybody that is involved with me at Midland High," Reese said. "It truly was a joyful experience here. I have no regrets taking this Midland High job. It was truly a great experience for me and my family. I just want to thank them and make sure they know that they played a big role in my life."
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