12/27/2022 10:11:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Peak Performance
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By: Justin Lafleur
Braeden Estes has a lot of pride in the Upper Valley.
After growing up in Lebanon, attending the University of New Hampshire and working at the University of South Florida, Estes found his way back to the area last fall as director of operations for Dartmouth men's basketball.
"It's surreal," he said. "When I was really young, I was a ball boy for the men's and women's teams, and would go to games in Leede Arena all the time.
"I feel I have a different pride than most for the Upper Valley, for this area and for Dartmouth."
Now in his second season at Dartmouth, this month has brought a Dec. 16 matchup at his former employer USF. It also features a Dec. 29 home showdown vs. UNH, where he was a four-year student manager.
Estes' story has come full circle…
The Birth of a Basketball Career
Estes began playing basketball in nearby Lebanon at the Carter Community Building Association (CCBA). Braeden's father was his first basketball coach.
"The gym in the recreation center is named after my grandfather Pat Walsh," said Estes. "I'd go there every day after school from middle through high school — play pickup, work on my game and hang out with friends."
Estes started playing AAU basketball through the Longhorns Basketball Club, which had just formed.
"That was when I really started to gain a passion for the game," he said.
Estes was a two-year varsity player at Lebanon, advancing to the New Hampshire State Semifinals (held at UNH) as a junior. His head coach was Kieth Matte, who remains at Lebanon today, winning three state championships in his career. Braeden's playing time increased as a senior, but by that time, it was late to be recruited for college.
"My hopes for playing a really high level of college were probably already behind me," said Estes.
Braeden went on to have a great senior year playing, keeping the door ajar for potentially playing Division III college basketball, while also exploring coaching.
"We went to the semifinals again and ended up losing to Portsmouth, which at that time, felt like the world was falling down," said Estes. "Basketball was probably the most important thing in my life at that time.
"I didn't want to give the game up."
Former Dartmouth head coach Dave Faucher, who does color commentating for Big Green games to this day, had just taken over as a volunteer assistant coach at Lebanon High School during Estes' senior year. He was also the head coach of the 16U Longhorns Basketball Club.
Faucher would turn into an important relationship in Estes' life — both professionally and personally.
"After I graduated, he allowed me to stick around and be on the bench with him for 16U Longhorns as an assistant coach," said Estes. "That was the first time I had even thought about coaching.
"I absorbed a lot."
The Longhorns won the New Hampshire State Tournament and advanced to nationals in Louisville. At that tournament, Faucher introduced Estes to University of New Hampshire head coach Bill Herrion.
"That was when I put it all together — that I wanted to go to UNH and was okay with not playing anymore," said Estes.
Meet your newest student manager.
College Hoops = A Different Animal
As would be expected, there was a transition period to being around a college basketball program.
"I had no idea what I was getting myself into," said Estes. "I grew up going to Dartmouth basketball games, but as a fan, you don't really get to see the ins-and-outs of what goes on in a program.
"Right away, the level of intensity and urgency that everything operates with was a wakeup call."
It was eye-opening, but also rewarding and something Estes felt drawn to. He learned under senior manager Pat Jencso, who is currently a video coordinator with the Detroit Pistons.
"I give Pat a lot of credit for taking me under his wing," said Estes. "Definitely got on me a few times when I wasn't necessarily moving as fast as I should, or getting things done as quickly as I should. That was enough for me to develop a sense of urgency.
"Pat's guidance helped me figure out how I could be helpful."
Estes has gone on to help countless numbers of people over the years, in all different settings and facets. As a sophomore at UNH, he was quickly named head manager.
"Braeden was an extremely hard worker, and you could tell he was a young man who really loved the game of basketball," said Herrion. "He formed great relationships with the players and did so many things."
Herrion admitted that Estes was unofficially an assistant coach for the impact he made in so many realms.
"Braeden became our head manager because we really trusted him and he was very reliable," said Herrion. "It's always good to have managers in your program who played basketball in high school. He knew the game and knew what we were teaching as a staff. As his career went on here, there was no question in my mind that someday, if he decided to go into coaching, that he was going to be a coach.
"He has a really bright future in this profession."
At the age of 19, while still in college, Estes took over as the Longhorns program director and head high school coach.
"I would come home to the Upper Valley every or every other weekend in the spring and summer to run Longhorns practices and/or coach multiple high school teams in tournaments around the Northeast," he said. "This was integral in helping me find my voice as a coach and continue developing my craft for player development."
In Estes' four years as program director and head coach, he worked with over 20 players who went on to play college basketball, including four at the Division I level, and over 40 New Hampshire or Vermont All-State players.
Estes catching up with USF players before Dec. 16 Dartmouth at USF game
"I attribute a huge portion of my development as a coach to this experience," he said.
With his variety of experiences, Estes was a budding star in the world of coaching. A conversation with Coach Herrion got the wheels in motion on a collegiate coaching career.
"Coach Herrion's brother, Tom, was the associate head coach at South Florida at the time," said Estes. "One day, Coach sat me down in his office asking what I was thinking for the next year. He said he could reach out to his brother, but I had to understand what I would be getting myself into.
"That's a high level of basketball, the American Conference. It's borderline power five."
That conversation eventually led to an opportunity as graduate assistant at USF, where he was for almost two and a half years.
"I only got the chance to work with Braeden for a few months, but in those few months of being around him, I knew he had a bright future in the business, said USF assistant coach Jason Slay. "Very articulate, really good on the court and had great relationships with the players. Braeden and I quickly developed a personal relationship, so we spent a lot of time talking basketball and life. I was happy for the opportunity he got at Dartmouth, but sad to see him go."
Estes with USF assistant coach Jason Slay before the game on Dec. 16
Estes' impact at South Florida was profound.
"Great coach… better guy," said USF director of recruiting and scouting Scott Wagers. "Always willing to help in any capacity. He worked many long hours and late nights, right alongside the coaches without any complaining. Blue collar guy who comes from hard-working parents. I had the pleasure of meeting them and could instantly see where he gets his kindness and work ethic from.
"Braeden has great recruiting contacts in the Northeast through his time coaching club ball, and a great knowledge of the Princeton offense and helped us implement some of the actions," Wagers continued.
"He will be a head coach one of these days and I wish him nothing but the best."
Estes' first two seasons at USF were as graduate assistant, and was then named assistant director of operations (a new position created for him).
"We didn't have a director of operations on staff, so for the 2021-22 season, I booked all the travel and made sure they were good to go for the year," said Estes.
Little did Estes know when he was making all these arrangements that his path for the upcoming season wouldn't take him to road games with the Bulls, but rather to a familiar place… Dartmouth College.
Braeden was friendly with the Dartmouth staff through camps, so in the summer of 2021, he visited Leede Arena like he would often do when visiting the area. One day, Estes was approached by Big Green head coach David McLaughlin. It was about their opening as director of operations.
Estes interviewed for the position and despite not being initially selected, he made a strong impression.
Keep that in mind… Why?
"A couple months go by, and we're literally a week away from the first game, and I get a call from [former Dartmouth assistant coach] Justin Bradley that their position just opened up again," said Estes.
With the impression Braeden had made in the first round of interviews, the position was offered on the spot.
"At this time, I was getting my mind wrapped around playing games at the Yuengling Center in Tampa in a week," said Estes.
Estes talked it over with his parents and brought it up to USF head coach Brian Gregory.
"I framed it as looking for some advice," said Estes. "He thought about it for a second and said, 'You've got to take that job.'
Estes with Coach Gregory and Coach McLaughlin on Dec. 16 at USF
"As soon as I heard that, I knew it was the right call."
It was a gesture Estes won't soon forget.
"Coach Gregory understood where I was at financially at the time, understood the opportunity that was here, and gave me his blessing," he said. "That meant a lot."
Estes accepted, rented a U-Haul and within days, was on his way to New Hampshire.
Touching the Lives of Many
Estes has played an integral role in each of the programs he has touched.
"Braeden understands loyalty, work ethic and he understands the Upper Valley," said McLaughlin. "That loyalty, plus his love of this community and his love of Dartmouth, has really allowed him to take on this role as our director of operations and attack it full speed. Within that, he's formed great relationships with our guys, and they know he's someone they can go to if they need anything."
Those relationships keep Estes going.
"The biggest factor of this job, and coaching in general, that motivates me is the daily opportunity you have to not only help a program, but also the individuals in the program develop in some way," said Estes. "I got into coaching and started getting really interested in coaching because of the satisfaction I get by helping people develop.
"There's no better feeling than seeing someone who's struggling with a certain concept, or struggling with a certain skill, who really dedicates himself to wanting to improve… Then, when you finally see that tangible progress and it becomes a strength — or even just something they're competent at — that's the coolest feeling in the world to know you could be a part of that growth."
One of those people for Estes is UNH junior Jon Willeman, who is also from Lebanon.
"When I first started coaching the Longhorns, he was one of the eighth graders on that team and without a doubt, the person I spent the most time with one-on-one," said Estes. "He started as a walk-on at UNH and has since earned a scholarship. I'm incredibly proud of him. It's going to be really weird coaching against him [on Thursday night when the Big Green host the Wildcats]."
Keeping the Program Running
Estes' role as Dartmouth's director of basketball operations includes a little bit of everything.
It's an exceptionally important role, which keeps a college basketball program running.
"It's a mixed bag to say the least," said Estes. "It's everything from booking travel to making sure our bus is going to be at the gym to pick us up for a road trip. It's making sure the flights are booked, the hotels are prepared, the meals are prepared. It's also coordinating gym availability and practice times."
That's just the beginning.
This past summer, Estes served as interim assistant coach, with recruiting and evaluating high school student-athletes among his key responsibilities.
"On top of those duties, now I'm also on the road during the live recruiting periods calling and texting kids, trying to build their interest in Dartmouth," he said.
"It would be impossible to write a job description of what director of operations, or really any position in college basketball, does, because every single day is going to bring something new," Estes continued. "You have to be prepared for whatever the day throws at you."
On Thursday, the day will throw Estes a special matchup against some special people in his life, including Willeman, along with the majority of the coaching staff who remain from Estes' time in Durham.
"I spent four years on the same bench with that staff," he said. "Normally, I'm cheering for the Wildcats when they're playing other teams…
