Duke Loses Assistant Coach Day Before NCAA Tournament Opener

Evan Bradds plans to accept the head coaching job at his alma mater Belmont, leaving Duke before the tournament.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:23am

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The No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils will be without assistant coach Evan Bradds for their NCAA Tournament opener against Siena on Thursday. Bradds, a former star player at Belmont, plans to accept the head coaching job at his alma mater, replacing Casey Alexander who left for Kansas State.

Why it matters

Losing an assistant coach right before the NCAA Tournament is a significant disruption for a top-seeded team like Duke, as the coaching staff plays a crucial role in preparing the team and game-planning. Bradds' departure also marks the end of an era at Belmont, as Casey Alexander had a successful seven-year run as the Bruins' head coach.

The details

Bradds, a two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year during his playing days at Belmont, will replace Alexander, who accepted the head coaching job at Kansas State. The 31-year-old Bradds has been an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz, and Duke over the past several years.

  • Duke will face Siena in their NCAA Tournament opener on Thursday, March 21, 2026 at 2:50 p.m. ET.
  • Bradds plans to accept the Belmont head coaching job after the NCAA Tournament ends.

The players

Evan Bradds

A former two-time AP All-American honorable mention and two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year at Belmont, who has been an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz, and Duke over the past several years.

Casey Alexander

The former head coach of the Belmont Bruins, who compiled a 166-60 record over seven seasons and led the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance and an NIT appearance. He recently accepted the head coaching job at Kansas State.

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What they’re saying

“NEWS: Belmont is finalizing a deal with Duke assistant Evan Bradds to be the program's next head coach, sources told ESPN.”

— Jeff Borzello, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

Bradds is expected to remain with Duke for as long as they remain in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This coaching change at Belmont marks the end of an era, as Casey Alexander had a highly successful seven-year run as the Bruins' head coach. For Duke, losing an assistant coach right before the NCAA Tournament is a significant disruption, as the coaching staff plays a crucial role in preparing the team and game-planning.