After my first season broadcasting LaGrange football in
2003, I asked about doing baseball in 2004.
Station manager Glenn Buxton said he would talk with the owner about
it. The next week, Glenn said the answer
was no. The owner said that high school
baseball would be too hard to sell.
LaGrange went on to win the 2004 AAA state baseball championship. The Granger football team wins the 2004 state
championship, so I ask Glenn once again about doing baseball. This time he didn’t bother asking the owner,
saying it would be better to ask forgiveness than permission.
That year, LaGrange baseball and football almost sold
itself. It is easy to get advertisers
when you broadcast successful programs. And
the baseball and football teams were successful largely because of Donnie
Branch.
Coach Branch started at LaGrange High School in
1986. Two years ago, he stepped down as head coach of the baseball team. This year, he announced his retirement from coaching. I asked a few dozen former players
to e-mail something about Coach Branch.
A story, their thoughts, anything they would like to share. I only received e-mails from two former
players, but what they said would likely have been echoed by the rest of them.
“When I look back on my high school career, “ wrote Jon
Kelton, “there are two traits I gained from my time at LaGrange High School and
playing under Coach Branch. Those are discipline and work
ethic. We were not always the most talented team in high
school, but nobody ever outworked us and nobody played the game more
fundamentally sound than we did. “
Work ethic is a common theme among all coaches at
LaGrange. But it doesn’t stop when you
leave. Kelton recalls something that
happened when he was playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
“In 2010 we were on a great run at the end of the season
and playing Ole Miss in the SEC tournament. Coach Branch came to support
and I had a good game with a big hit earlier in the day. We were ahead of
Ole Miss in the last inning and my at bat wasn’t crucial but I still wanted
another hit for selfish reasons. I rolled over a ball to second base and
loafed down the first base line. Three years into my college career and
coach Branch was still chirping at me from the stands as I got back to the
dugout. After the game we spoke on the phone and all I wanted to do was
talk about the big win, but he made sure to give me an earful and reminded me
I’m a Granger, and never to loaf down the line again. Now, several years
removed from college and a business owner in Birmingham, AL, those two character traits
I developed in my time under Coach Branch are still at the core of what I do
today. Whenever things get tough or I want to complain and feel sorry for
myself, I know coach Branch would immediately tell me to “shut up and quit
being soft.” Sometimes you just need to hear it. I believe this no
excuse mentality and the high level of pride he instilled in every player who
wore the Granger uniform is why he was so successful as a coach for so many
years. “
Once discipline and work ethic is instilled in athletes,
and fundamentals are learned, then they are ready for competition. And Donnie Branch thrived on it.
“One of many things that always
impressed me about Coach Branch was how intense of a competitor he was,” wrote
Tommy Traylor, “and likewise his ability to instill that competitive greatness
in his players. We certainly had some special players that helped make those
defensive units great. But I believe that a big part of what made those
defenses so great, especially in big games, can be attributed to Coach Branch.
He pushed for perfection, and demanded that players take pride in their effort,
discipline, technique, and performance in practice as well as games. By the
time an important region or playoff game rolled around, the above was second
nature--part of a player's identity--and wouldn't fade under pressure.”
To me, personally, Coach Branch was always accessible and
honest. His door was always open and he told
you what he thought. His first baseball
postgame interview with me, he remembered his audience. He thought his starting pitcher’s performance
“sucked,” but he said that off-air. On
the air he said it “stunk.” He took the
time from his busy schedule for me, and not just for pregame interviews. But to talk about the team, giving
back stories about players we could share on the air and help make them more to
our listeners.
But to the players and coaches who saw him every day, he
was a whole lot more.
Tommy Traylor, again.
“Coach
Branch was also a great motivator, able to infuse the defense with confidence
that they could not only hang in with any opponent, but could dominate them and
even win the game for us if need be. He embodies
so many qualities that comprise a true man. He was accountable and
honest, a man of his word, and made selfless decisions with the best interest
of others in mind. Overall, he was truly a servant-leader,
giving immeasurable amounts of time and effort to teach, mold, and help young men,
both on and off the field.”
Though retired, Donnie has taken time
to work with the defensive coaches, giving his vast knowledge on how to be a
coach to the younger coaches. After 30
years total, Coach Branch still pays it forward helping kids be better players,
coaches be better coaches, and everyone he comes in contact with be better
people.
