A new chapter has begun in Claflin University men’s basketball as Brion Dunlap was announced as the head coach of the Panthers. After a national search and a thorough process of interviewing, Dunlap was chosen to lead the next exciting era of Panthers basketball.
“This is a great opportunity for myself, having two leaders such as Dr. Warmack and Mr. O’Neal that want to win. They’ve been winners all their lives and winners and I’m trying to be a part of that program,” Dunlap said at his introductory press conference. “Winners create winners and that’s my goal. To produce championships, to raise banners, and most importantly, to have every student-athlete who comes to our program walk across that stage to get their degree and raise banners that will last forever.”
Dunlap comes to Claflin University after a successful stint at Harris Stowe State University where he spent five successful seasons with the Hornets. It didn’t take long for Dunlap to make an impact with the Hornets as he won 19 games in his first season with the team. The team finished the American Midwest Conference (AMC) in a tie for 3rd place and the team went on to win the first AMC Tournament Championship. The victory also gave the team its first appearance in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Tournament. The 2016-17 team also recorded six wins against top-25 ranked teams, including notching an 88-83 win over #3 Columbia College. For their efforts, that team raked in several honors, including earning an NAIA All-America Honorable Mention as well as a second-team all-conference selection and a third team all-conference selection. There were also eight AMC All-Academic selections as well.
The success didn’t end in the first season as Dunlap led the Hornets to another terrific season. The team finished the season with a 23-11 overall record, including 19 AMC wins and finishing in a tie for first place in the conference at the end of the regular season. The team went on to win its second straight AMC Tournament Championship and earned a second straight automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament.
After finishing the 2018=19 season with a 16-13 record, Dunlap led a resurgence with the Hornets to went on to post a 23-9 overall record and a 15-7 record in AMC play. The effort was good enough for the team to place third in the conference in the regular season before storming into the AMC Tournament and claiming their third conference championship in four seasons and their third trip to the NAIA Tournament. Unfortunately, the 2020 NAIA Tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19.
In all, Dunlap led the Hornets to an 81-56 overall record and claimed three AMC Tournament Championships (2017, 2018, and 2020). The run included numerous individual honors for members of the Hornets’ teams. Among the honors was also an NAIA First Team All-American and an NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete. He also guided the development of two first team All-AMC selections, three second team All-AMC selections, and three third team All-AMC selections. There were also several other honors that were secured under Dunlap’s guidance.
Prior to taking the reins at Harris Stowe, Dunlap spent a season as an assistant coach at fellow Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) foe, Winston-Salem State University. It was with the Rams that Dunlap first became acquainted with the Panthers. Claflin claimed an 81-77 win over the Rams in that game. He also spent five seasons as an assistant coach at the College of the Holy Cross, where he helped the Crusaders to compile a 34-30 overall record in two seasons, including going 20-14 during the 2013-14 season, the team’s first 20-win season since the 2006-07 season. During Dunlap’s tenure, the Crusaders notched three finishes in the top half of the Patriot League standings.
Before beginning his career at the collegiate level, Dunlap served as the head coach at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, Virginia where he was the first head coach in the history of the program. Prior to taking the reins at Forest Park, Dunlap spent two years as an assistant coach at Woodbridge High School in Virginia. He was also selected as the head coach for the 2003 NOVA Hoops Classic and served as the head coach of the Prince William Pacers AAU team in 2002-03.
Coach Dunlap is a 1998 graduate of Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services Counseling. He was a four-year starter with the Monarchs and led the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances and two Colonial Athletic Association championships. He was named to the CAA All-Rookie team in 1995 and the CAA All-Tournament team in 1997, also earning Chevrolet Player of the Game honors following Old Dominion’s 59-55 loss to New Mexico in the first round of the 1997 NCAA Tournament. He still ranks among the all-time leaders in the CAA in career assists.
