Brandon White has dedicated his life to coaching young men to become their best selves both on and off the court. Now, his greatest challenge is raising a precious daughter to be a bright light in the world. This father puts family first no matter how much coaching demands of him and even has found time to pursue his doctorate in Educational Leadership. Brandon is a father worth recognizing.

How did you meet your wife?
B: We met in high school through a mutual friend. I was a senior, and she was a junior. We were really good friends, and we started dating in 2011. 

Tell me about your daughter.
B: Very energetic, loves to laugh and play, and she loves Mickey Mouse. 

How would your friends describe you?
B: All I talk about is basketball.

Most recent proud parenting moment?
B: Just hearing Presley say, “Da” and “Daddy.”

How do you keep it all balanced?
B: What I do is prioritize my family first. If your house is happy, everything else falls in place. When I come home, I spend time with my family and put everything else aside. Some days work may linger. Weekends are for sure dedicated family time. I have a very understanding wife. She was a college athlete.

Greatest thing about being a dad?
B: Knowing that somebody is depending on you. She is depending on me to make the right choices. 

If you could invite anyone over for dinner, who would you invite?
B: LeBron James.

What’s something parents shouldn’t feel guilty about?
B: Disciplining their child. 

What good habit do you have that you would like to pass on to your daughter?
B: Being kind and genuine with people.

Bad habits you would not want to pass on?
B: Always being on the phone. 

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
B: A lot of people don’t know I’m working on my doctorate. 

How did you react when you found out you were going to be a dad?
B: I was shocked. I was really happy, nervous, and scared—all those emotions in one. Parenting is one of those things you don’t want to mess up.  

What advice would you give to other parents?
B: Make sure you understand that what you do as a parent affects your child not only as a child, but also as an adult. Love your kid. Love is the greatest quality in life.

How does coaching impact your family? 
B: My family is pretty supportive of me coaching. My wife and daughter come to most of my games. 

What’s your parenting style?
B: I’m pretty laid back, but I would consider myself more the disciplinarian. It’s a balance.

What has teaching and coaching taught you about parenting?
B: Kids don’t just know, they have to actually be taught. Especially with coaching, I may want to get on kids when they’re not doing things the right way, but I can’t get on to them for not doing the right things if they’ve never been taught. 

Why do sports matter in the lives of children? 
B: Sports matter, because they teach you a lot of life lessons, time management, and how to work with other people. One thing I always tell my players is you have to give everything you have even when you’re not playing sports. In life, things won’t always go your way, but you have to persevere during the hard times. 

In what ways does being a father affect the way you coach?
B: Before I was a father, I guess I didn’t really consider their feelings as it relates to the parent side of things. I want to positively affect all the kids, but still coach them hard. 

What do you feel at the start of the new school year? 
B: Kids are excited, and teachers are excited, too. Being able to see kids grow is exciting. ■

Quick Q&A
I like my coffee… with cream and lots of sugar.
I can’t stop listening to… Kevin Gates and Lukas Graham.
My guilty pleasure is… Starbucks.
Before kids, I never thought I would… have a daughter.
Parenting item I couldn’t live without… pacifier.
Growing up, I knew I wanted to… have a family.
Favorite movie growing up… Cool Runnings.