Most coaches think the job starts when they pull into the parking lot at 3:30 PM and ends when they hit the 290 on the way home. Coaching like that, makes you a JAG - Just A Guy.

We just sat down with Brandon Singleton, and he’s the exact opposite of a parking lot coach. He’s been in the game for 15 years, and spends his day in the admissions office at Benet Academy before he hits the field for the lacrosse team. He’s figured out that if you want to build a culture that actually sticks, you have to be more than just a guy with a whistle. You have to be an insider.

If you’re just dropping your bag and blowing a whistle, you’re missing the point. Here is how Brandon builds an elite program from the inside out.

1. THE SUCCESSION TRAP: DON’T BE A CARBON COPY

Taking over for a legend is usually a death sentence. Brandon stepped into a program at Bennett that was two years removed from a Final Four, following a coach who had been there since the dawn of time.

Most guys would try to play it safe and act like a carbon copy of the old guy just to keep the parents from revolting. That’s an amateur move. Brandon’s take? You’ll never be that person. Trying to be them is silly.

Instead, Brandon focused on being himself while keeping the standard the previous coach set as a non-negotiable. Final Fours are still the goal, and competing for a sectional title is the floor. He didn't change the legacy; he just stopped trying to wear someone else's shoes.

2. THE "IN THE BUILDING" ADVANTAGE: WINNING THE HALLWAYS

Brandon’s secret weapon isn't a play in the playbook—it’s his proximity. Because he’s a Health and Physical Education teacher and works in admissions, he’s in the hallways every day. He’s got the pulse of the kids while other coaches are still stuck in traffic.

Being "in the building" gives him a deeper relationship with the players that a "walk-on" coach just can't match. He hears from their teachers, he sees them between classes, and he builds trust before they even step onto the field. He isn't just coaching them for two hours a day; he’s woven into their entire high school experience.

3. LEADING WITH CLARITY: KILL THE CONFUSION

Taking over a new program is a trust game, and you win it off the field. "Unclarity is what really confuses and annoys parents," Brandon says. If parents feel prepared, they trust you. If they don't, they'll act like they're the ones with the 15-year resume.

Brandon learned that over-communicating the "boring" stuff off the field builds a massive bank of trust for the hard decisions on the field. He uses a weekly email thread to lay out the game plan and explain the logic behind everything from travel to practice times. You’re delivering an experience for every kid—from the varsity star to the freshman on the bench. If you want them to stay, you have to provide the clarity.

4. HUMILITY OVER EGO: THE RIVAL-MENTOR

We’ve all seen the coach who treats his playbook like the nuclear codes. He thinks asking for help is a sign of weakness. Brandon thinks that’s garbage.

Brandon’s biggest mentor wasn't some guy on his own staff—it was his direct rival, Andy K. "He was one of the first phone calls to me," Brandon says. "Learning from people who have more knowledge isn't a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of wanting to master your craft."

If you want to grow your sport, you have to have the humility to reach out to the guys you’re trying to beat. Ego doesn't win championships; mastering the craft does.

5. GET A LIFE: BALANCE IS A REQUIREMENT

This is the big one. Most coaches think taking a vacation is "stealing" time from the team. They think obsession is a badge of honor. Brandon used to be that guy. Now? He knows better.

"The more I can be in the right state of mind for coaching, it’s only gonna help," Brandon explains. You can't authentically lead a kid to be a well-rounded, multi-faceted person if you're a one-dimensional, obsessive mess yourself. Brandon hits the gym, catches live music, and travels. He’s showing his kids that it's okay to "know ball" and still have a life. Staying fresh isn't a luxury; it’s your job.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Don’t be the guy who ruins the culture because you were too busy trying to be a carbon copy or too "obsessive" to stay fresh. Lead with clarity, learn with humility, and for heaven's sake, get a life.