Bud Brandon resigns as Smyrna girls basketball coach

Bud Brandon has stepped down as head girls basketball coach at Smyrna High School.

"I wanted to pursue other opportunities," said Brandon. "I'm thankful for Mr. (Smyrna principal Rick) Powell for giving me the opportunity for the job.

"It give them time to find somebody and it gives me time to pursue other opportunities."

Brandon took over the Lady Bulldog program in 2015, guiding Smyrna to a 29-48 record. His best season was 2016-17 when the team went 17-11 and reached the Region 4-AAA quarterfinals.

Brandon spent 13 seasons at Wilson Central, amassing a 302-115 record before resigning to enter politics. After failing to be elected the Wilson County Circuit Clerk, he spent the 2014-15 season as Trousdale County's boys coach.

The son of legendary Lebanon coach Campbell Brandon, Bud Brandon guided Wilson Central to Class AAA girls basketball state championships in 2006 and 2008.

He said he could retire or pursue ventures outside of basketball, but his next venture would likely be on the hardwood.

"It's all about people," Brandon said. "I have a real passion to continue coaching. That's my gig. That's the direction I'm going. It's in my blood."

The search is on for a new head coach of the Lady Bulldogs, who went 1-23 in a rebuilding season in 2017-18.

"We're looking at a couple of people on staff," Smyrna athletic director Billy Harris said. "We'll look at see. A lot depends on what (teaching) position we have at the time."

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.