A Coach's Journey
Brendan Bradt has taken the reins of the Troy High School boys' basketball program, stepping into the role of head coach after a decade‑long apprenticeship that blended playing, community service and front‑office work. His appointment follows the departure of Jamil Hood, who left Troy for a position at Albany, and marks a new chapter for a program that finished the 2025‑26 season with a 14‑8 record, falling in the Section 2 Class AA semifinals to Amsterdam.
Bradt’s basketball roots trace back to Cohoes, where he starred as a starting point guard and felt the coach’s instinct even as a player. During his final two seasons the Tigers captured back‑to‑back Colonial Council titles in 2001 and 2002, laying a foundation of winning culture that he would later build upon.
After two seasons at Hudson Valley Community College, Bradt transferred to the University of Massachusetts, where he earned a degree before embarking on a stint with the Miami Dolphins in community relations. He later returned to academia for a master’s at UMass Boston while working at a juvenile detention center, a period highlighted by a $25,000 half‑court shot victory at a Siena home game that helped pay off his student loans.
His coaching career took shape at Somerville from 2011 to 2017, where he served as an assistant and contributed to state title‑winning teams in 2013 and 2017. He then moved to Brighton, again as an assistant, before returning to Troy as head coach, bringing a blend of grassroots experience and professional insight.
Defensive Emphasis and Team Culture
Bradt says his primary focus will be on building a defense‑first identity and cultivating a high basketball IQ among his players. He wants the team to play with intensity, execute offensively and develop a culture that reflects discipline and collective responsibility.
The new coach also plans to leverage the experience of returning players while integrating fresh ideas from his extensive network, which includes mentorship from former assistants under three different Troy coaches and collaborations with programs such as La Salle Institute and Albany High School.