AMERICUS, Ga.- Georgia Southwestern head men's basketball coach Ben Hicks has announced the hiring of Russell Branch as his assistant coach for the 2016-17 season.

"I am truly excited to have Coach Branch as a member of our GSW family," coach Hicks said.  "With his developmental expertise and motivation for hard work, he will be a great asset and role model for our student-athletes."  

Branch comes to GSW from the University of Northwestern Ohio where he spent the last two years as the assistant coach and lead recruiter. In his first season at UNOH Branch helped make program history by assisting the Racers to their most wins in a season with a 25-8 record. The Racers also made it to the NAIA National Tournament for their first time that same season. In his two seasons at UNOH Branch helped the Racers see their first Defensive Player of the Year and All-American in the programs history.

Branch joined the Racers staff after spending one season coaching at Denmark Technical College in Denmark, S.C. where he helped lead the Panthers to the semi-finals of the NJCAA regional tournament.

Before Denmark, Branch served as the head basketball coach at Bamberg High School in Bamberg, S.C. from 2011-2013. After just two seasons Branch coached the Red Raiders to their first winning season in over a decade.

Branch spent three years (2008-2011) as the head coach at Progressive Christian Academy in Camp Springs, Md. Branch coached PCA to a 74-11 record in his three seasons and kept the team ranked in the Top-15 prep schools in the nation. While at PCA, Branch coached Latavious Williams, the fourth ranked player in the nation. Williams committed to the University of Memphis and was later drafter by the Miami Heat in 2010. 

The Norfolk, Va., native played high school ball at both Booker T. Washington in Norfolk and at Redemption Christian Academy in Troy, N.Y. Branch went on to play collegiate basketball at Voorhees in Denmark, S.C., where he earned All-Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Honors and NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition.

Branch started his coaching career in 2005 at Redemption Christian Academy as the assistant coach. After RCA Branch returned back to home to Virginia to coach the Virginia W.A.V.E (Wisdom and Vision Emerge). Branch coached 21 players to Division I scholarships in his three years at the helm of the W.A.V.E.

Branch earned a bachelor's degree in health and recreation from Voorhees College in 2003 and received a master's degree in education with a concentration in counseling and psychology from Troy University in 2004. Branch is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Branch is the proud father of Russell and Hannah.