The ETSU’s men’s basketball team will feel a sense of nostalgia for the 2023-24 season as a familiar face returns to Johnson City and begins his head coaching career with the Bucs.
Following two consecutive losing seasons – something unheard of in Bucs’ basketball culture – ETSU’s athletic director, Dr. Richard Sander, decided to move on from former head coach Desmond Oliver and begin a search for the new head coach of the Bucs.
The announcement was made on March 10 that ETSU would be searching for a new head coach, and it didn’t take long for rumors to swirl about who exactly would fit into the role. One name always came up in every conversation: Brooks Savage.
Eleven days after the announcement of Oliver’s departure, ETSU introduced Savage as the 13th head coach in the program’s history.
“I got the call on a Sunday and was asked if I would have interest in the position, which of course I did,” said the new Bucs head coach.
The opportunity progressed quickly as they scheduled calls within the week. Following a Zoom meeting with ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland, Savage felt hopeful, but it wasn’t until Friday morning that the phone rang.
“Dr. Sander called me and offered me the job. Any coach, you dream of that call, and to actually have that happen was really neat,” said Savage, reflecting on the moment he got the call.
Savage will bring an edge to the Bucs as he pulls experience from a very competitive Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) and as an assistant coach at Wake Forest.
“There’s obviously really good basketball in the ACC,” said Savage. “Preparing for those Hall of Fame coaches night in and night out, there were no nights off in the ACC. That really helped me grow as a basketball coach getting the opportunity to be at that level.”
After spending nearly a decade under the wing of former head coach Steve Forbes, Savage reflected on his time with Forbes.
“Coach Forbes raised me in this profession, and I certainly wouldn’t be here without him,” Savage shared. “I am forever grateful to him.”
When asked what the top attribute he would bring to this team as a head coach was, he responded with an answer well beyond his years.
“My best quality is in my relationship with the players, investing in those guys on and off the court,” said Savage. “This is all about players, right? You don’t put coaches’ jerseys up in the rafters; you put the players’ jerseys up there.”
The 37-year-old coach will become the fourth different head coach for the ETSU program in as many years. Savage emphasized the importance of repositioning the team to get back on track for success after their recent history.
“Implementing the identity of the program, being true to our fundamentals and playing ETSU basketball,” Savage explained. “We have to get pride back into this program; we have to get our swagger back and that starts with implementing our identity.”
As the spring semester ends, we’re that much closer to the return of a rejuvenated ETSU men’s basketball program that many locals hold near and dear. The common sentiment among students and fans is that ETSU finally has the guy in Coach Savage.
As excitement builds for the return of Bucs basketball for the 2023-24 season, visit www.ETSUBucs.com/mbasketball for more information and to stay updated with the team.
