The coach-player relationship can always be challenging, especially when you add a father-son relationship. However, for Brennan and Kingston Swayzer ’27 this unique dynamic has only strengthened their bond. Rather than creating friction their shared experiences on the court have brought them closer together and created a one-of-a-kind bond. Kingston felt this formed a connection that combines family with mentorship and feels lucky to have his dad as a coach.
Kingston has been in love with basketball since a young age, but his dad avoided coaching him until he reached high school. When he arrived at City High where his father was head coach Kingston knew it was going to be a challenge, however, Kingston rose to the occasion and felt he had gained an advantage over his peers. “I felt as though with how hard my father is on me due to me being his son was making me better and made me feel as though I had an edge against my teammates,” Kingston said.
Brennan has been around basketball for a long time but this was a new challenge for him. “The toughest part for me is just treating him as any other basketball player, and not my son,” Brennan said. He understands that coaches can often go too hard on coaching their sons, so he strives to find the perfect balance between strict and overdoing it.
Kingston inherited many traits from his father outside of a love of basketball. They are both fierce competitors and always find ways to push one another. Kingston uses his dad’s doubts to motivate him to work harder. He feels that with a regular coach, he wouldn’t be pushed as hard to prove him wrong.
Being a basketball veteran, Brennan has come to understand basketball isn’t a long-term life plan for most people, so he has made sure Kingston understands this as well. “…he is always harping on my education. No sport is forever and school will always come first,” Kingston said. Many coaches can overlook this, but for Kingston, academics will always come first.
Brennan believes his coaching and parenting philosophies are very similar. He thinks his son must understand independence and resilience. Another lesson he emphasizes is never relying on others, if you want something you have to go get it for yourself. Brennan believes Kingston can learn these lessons through sports and includes these philosophies in his coaching.
Brennan never wanted to be the parent constantly living through their child, so he waited until he knew Kingston wanted to pursue basketball to get involved. Brennan chose to stay out of coaching until he knew Kingston wanted it for himself and for no other reason. “Once he made that choice… knew I could help, and then we kind of jumped into it full bore. But I purposely stayed away until eighth grade, summer going into ninth grade, just to make sure that it was something he wanted to do,” Brennan said.
The pair will see their partnership continue as they both made the cross-town move to West High this year. Brennan knew he was going to have to move after the season ended at City but made clear to Kingston that he did not have to join him. Brennan chose West over his other options because he has coached here before and thinks highly of head Coach Steve Bergman. Kingston opted to transfer to follow his dad and felt it was a near no-brainer. Kingston is extremely excited for the basketball season to begin where he can continue to be coached by his father and further their bond.
