The chance to come back was too much for Brandin Brown to pass up. 

Homewood-Flossmoor’s new boys basketball coach graduated from the school in 2007. He spent the last three years as an assistant under Robert Brost at Bolingbrook. He and Brost discussed the idea of Brown someday taking over that job, and Brown could’ve waited for that opportunity.

But Bolingbrook isn’t home. 

“I went to Heather Hill elementary. I went to Parker (Junior High). I lived here for 27 years of my life,” Brown said. “Getting Bolingbrook would’ve meant a lot to me but getting H-F means everything to me.”

Brown is a fully credentialed H-F kid. His grandparents are still in Flossmoor. His aunt and sister are still in the area, too. He didn’t tell anyone he was interviewing for the job. 

“Once I got the job, I sat them all down and told them ‘We did it,’” he said. “They broke down in tears and were all excited. They’re still excited. They’re buying their gear and preparing for games.” 

Brown was hired June 17 but it could’ve happened even sooner. He applied three years ago when his predecessor Jamere Dismukes was hired. It wasn’t time, though, he said. 

His mom, Terri Townsend, died unexpectedly about a month after Dismukes got the gig. 

“The first thing that came to my mind was ‘I don’t know how I would’ve done this job going through that, as well,’” Brown said. “I thought I was ready then but now I know I’m ready.” 

This is Brown’s first high school head coaching job but the resume isn’t light on experience. 

Some of the area’s best players came through Brown’s Illinois Flight program. He also coached at the highest level in grassroots with the Nike MeanStreets program, steering that 15u group to the prestigious Peach Jam last year. 

“Everything I’ve done over the last five, six, seven years has prepared me for this,” he said. “At Bolingbrook, Brost did a lot for me. Everything that he was responsible for, I was responsible for. He was preparing me, knowing I wanted to be a head coach.” 

Brost isn’t the only older coach Brown’s been able to lean on and learn from. He took advice from MeanStreets founder Tai Streets, AAU coaches Brian Davis and Octavius Parker, Whitney Young coach Tyrone Slaughter and even watched Dismukes and the way he ran the Vikings the last three years.

Those men helped shape the vision Brown has for his team. He says the Vikings and all the coaches in the program and feeder system will be accountable. He wants his team to be the most disciplined group in the state.

“I want people to say ‘They don’t beat themselves because they’re on one accord defensively and offensively, they’re executing,’” Brown said. “The way that we prepare, the way we watch film, the way we practice, will be like a college (team).” 

Brown’s group will play at pace, but also be capable of being “methodical” in the halfcourt, as well. He’s not rigid in his style, though, and will adjust to his personnel. The current crop can be aggressive on defense, he said. 

Advancing players to college basketball will be a priority. Brown’s background gives him a unique perspective on that. He knows what each level of college basketball player looks like because he’s been around them all, likely very recently. 

He has plans to help parents and players learn about the recruiting world and everything that comes with it, too. 

“It’s not going to be about winning basketball games,” Brown said. “If you structure this thing the right way, that’s going to happen, anyway.”  

The aim isn’t to build something new. H-F basketball is in a good place. Brown just wants to add to the foundation that already exists and be the most “impactful” coach the Vikings have ever had. 

“I don’t have to come in and show that I’m not Jamere. I also don’t have to come in and try to be Jamere,” he said. “Big picture-wise, I think it’s going to be great for the school and for the community because I come from the community. It’s not just about the basketball piece for me.”