Bryan Austin

Coach Bryan Austin has dedicated over 15 years to the realm of basketball. His love and passion for the game is evident in his coaching, teaching, and leading, he pours into those he works with.

Austin, a graduate of Truman State University, played a short stint for the Truman Bulldogs. He realized early on his passion and desire to coach and teach the game of basketball. He was a student assistant for the men’s team before having the opportunity to work with the women’s team. Austin also coached the women’s club team during that time, leading the team to the national tournament.

Upon graduating from Truman State with his degree in Exercise Science, Austin was offered the position of assistant coach at Center High School in Kansas City, MO. After a few years with Center High School Coach Austin was then offered the Head coaching job at Ruskin High School. During his tenure at Ruskin, he rebuilt the girls’ basketball program, implemented and executed summer youth camps, off-seasoning training, and summer strength and conditioning programs. Austin was responsible for helping eight student-athletes continue their playing careers at the next level.

In 2018, Austin was named head coach of the Southwestern Spartan collegiate women’s basketball program. At Southwestern, Coach Austin brought an infectious energy and enthusiasm to the women’s basketball program. The 2019-2020 season ended with the team hosting a home playoff game, something that hadn’t been achieved in over a decade.

During the 2020-21 season, Austin and the Spartans fought their way to a Region XI championship appearance, finishing as the Region XI runners-up. The team finished 11th nationally in free throw percentage, 9th in free throw attempts, and 6th in free throw makes nationally, all 1st in the ICCAC; 14th nationally in rebounds a game, 1st in the ICCAC.

The Spartans ended the 2020-21 season run with four student-athletes being recognized by the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) All-Region Teams. In 2022, a student-athlete that Austin recruited and coached was awarded the programs first WBCA All-American honor. After the 2022 season, Bryan decided to step down as head coach at Southwestern and return to Kansas City; giving him the opportunity to focus on youth and collegiate programs closer to home while spending more time with family.