Assistant Coach Brian Ayers

Brian Ayers begins his 10th season on the Bruins' coaching staff.

Ayers specializes in post-play instruction - offensive moves, footwork, positioning, and team defense. Last season, Ayers’ continued work with centers Boomer Herndon and Andrew Preston reaped further dividends as the duo ranked second and third in the Atlantic Sun in field goal percentage respectively. In 2005-06, the Bruins led the Atlantic Sun and ranked fourth nationally in field goal percentage (.493). Moreover, Ayers helped Belmont enjoy one of the greatest single-season improvements in rebounding margin in program history - a big reason why the Bruins reached their first NCAA Tournament. Coincidentally, both Herndon and Preston have agreed to professional contracts.

Besides his work with the Bruins in the paint, he also handles opponent scouting, recruiting, and works in concert with Scott Kirchmann on the individual workout programs for Belmont student-athletes. Countless Bruins have thrived under Ayers' tutelage. Center Adam Sonn was named Atlantic Sun Player of the Year in 2003 while forward Adam Mark led the NCAA in field goal percentage as a sophomore and a junior. Three years ago, Mark ran his total of A-Sun Player of the Week honors to seven, the second most in conference history en route to back-to-back first team All-Atlantic Sun accolades.

Ayers, a native of Clarksville, Tennessee, spent two years on staff at Vanderbilt University. During that time, the Commodores made one trip to the NCAA tournament. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach at Austin Peay. While with the Governors' program, Austin Peay won the 1996 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Brian also served as an assistant coach at Nashville's David Lipscomb High School for one season, helping the Mustangs to a 28-6 record and the Class AA semifinals in 1995.

Ayers played his college basketball at Lipscomb University. He served as team captain his junior and senior years and earned NAIA Academic All-America honors. During Ayers' four year career, the Bisons compiled a record of 141-18 and advanced to one NAIA Final Four, two Elite Eights, and one Sweet Sixteen. He graduated from Lipscomb in 1993 while earning a master's degree in sports management from Austin Peay State University in 1996.

Ayers and his wife Tracy have two sons: Taylor (8) and Luke (5). They reside in Franklin, Tennessee.