Brandon Schneider, ESU’s all-time coaching leader in winning percentage (.813) was named the fifth head coach in ESU women’s basketball history on April 27, 1998. Schneider was voted the MIAA Coach of the Year for the second time in his career in 2001. He has been the head coach of five NCAA II All-Americans Kristie McClain, 1st-Team Kodak (2003); Emily Bloss, 1st-team Kodak (2001); 1st Team GTE Academic (1999, 2000, 2001); Tara Holloway, 1st-Team Kodak (2000); & Jurgita Kausaite, 1st-Team Kodak (1999) and two national players of the year (Emily Bloss (2001) & Tara Holloway (2000) in his first five years as a head coach.

In his five seasons as a head coach, he has led the Hornets to three MIAA regular-season and post-season tournament championships, four NCAA II Tournaments, three NCAA II South Central Regional championship games, and two appearances in the NCAA II Elite Eight. He was the first rookie head coach in the history of the conference to win both the MIAA regular season and tournament titles.  Schneider is 18-11 against Top 25 teams at ESU.

Since Schneider joined the coaching staff in 1995, ESU has an overall record of 191-54 (.780).  Schneider guided the Hornets to the second, third and fourth most wins in school history.

“Brandon is a perfect fit at our university,” said ESU Director of Athletics Kent Weiser. “His tireless work ethic, dedication to his players, and his will to win means so much to Emporia and ESU.”

Schneider was instrumental in helping ESU to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a berth in the 1998 NCAA II championship game. As a recruiter, Schneider has helped attract six NJCAA All-Americans and four high school All-Americans to ESU. 

Schneider has developed a reputation for player development during his time in Emporia. Both of Emporia State’s National Players of the Year have come from small town Kansas communities and grown during their time at ESU.  He has coached three future professional players - Aneta Kausaite with the Detroit Shock, Jurgita Kausaite with Pantterit Club in Finland and most recently Myshka Wilkerson with Club Yildirim Bosna in Instanbul, Turkey.

“As coaches we strive to take players where they cannot take themselves - as players, as students, and hopefully as people, and I truly believe that ESU is a place where you can win a national championship,” said Schneider.