By Quintin Harlan, Herald Bulletin Sports Writer
ANDERSON — Anderson University will have eight months to get prepared to do something it hasn’t done for 38 years: conduct interviews to hire a new head baseball coach.
On Saturday, Ravens baseball coach Don Brandon announced that he would retire at the end of the 2010 season. He made the announcement to his players and their parents during a Ravens fall baseball doubleheader and cookout.
“I believe in our future. With strong conviction in the positive direction of our program, I am announcing my retirement to come at the end of the 2010 season,” Brandon said, reading from a prepared statement.
“You need to understand that I would not do this if I did not think that it was best for Anderson University baseball. It is time for a younger, Christian coach with more energy and a renewed focus that will take the baseball program to an even higher level. This will allow me to spend more quality time with Janet and my family.”
Brandon was speaking of his entire family, but he especially meant his four grandchildren, Johnaton, James, Noah and Luke.
Aside from spending time with his grandchildren playing catch, going camping and fishing, Brandon hopes to continue working with the athletic department and the development office at AU to continue the development of the baseball complex.
He hopes to get lights for the field and renovations to the grandstand and press box, among other things.
“When Dave Edwards would announce our games, he’d always say that the press box was moving if the wind was blowing hard enough,” said Brandon.
When the Ravens host Mount St. Joeseph’s on May 7 and 8 for the final homestand, he is planning on inviting back all of his former players for “a big gathering.”
He then finished his statement by saying that “I want to move forward with a great year and I do not want to focus on my retirement at this point.”
Following Brandon’s simple line of “That’s my statement,” the assembled crowd gave the veteran coach a standing ovation.
“I hate to lose Coach Brandon,” said assistant baseball coach Dave Presssley. “I was surprised (when he first told me), but I’m going to try and be excited and happy for him.”
“I love the team and the program,” said Brandon following some hugs from players and parents. “We had a good year last year. I think it’s time to move forward. I think a younger coach with a renewed focus will take the team even higher.”
Brandon, better known as “Bama,” made the decision to retire over the course of the summer. But the decision was one that his wife Janet didn’t think she’d ever see at one point.
“I didn’t think he’d ever retire. I thought he’d be here forever,” said Janet Brandon. “We’re going to miss it. We talked about it over the years, when it was going to come. But honestly, I didn’t think it ever would. I thought he’d die here. I think it was time and I think I saw a relief in him when he made the decision.”
One of those in attendance for the big announcement was AU’s head athletic trainer and Brandon’s longtime friend, Dr. Steve Risinger.
“Bama and I talked about this and he always talked about he’d know when the time would be,” said Risinger. “I will miss him. We’ve had a good ride together.”
“I hope he can spend some more time with his family,” said Pressley. “But anyone who knows Don Brandon knows he’ll be at a baseball diamond somewhere.”
