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Brandon to leave GBHS for Navarre

As the Class of 2005 heads out the halls of Gulf Breeze High, one man that began his high school journey as they were being born is doing the same.

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Michael Brandon cheers on his team during a December, 2004 game. Brandon, pending school board approval, will be named an assistant principal at Navarre High SchoolMichael Brandon, a GBHS student, teacher, coach and administrator pending school board approval tonight will become an assistant principal at Navarre High School.

Brandon will still assist with driver’s ed at GBHS for another week before starting in his new post July 1.

“Ever since I became a coach, getting into administration is something that’s been appealing to me,” said Brandon, who has been a coach at GBHS for the past 14, 11 of them in the boys basketball program.

Going away celebration GBHS boys basketball coach and Dean of Students Michael Brandon (seated, center) was the guest of honor at a small gathering of GBHS faculty and administration officials Friday. Also pic tured are (seated, from left): LaQuita Stover and Karen Parr. Back (from left): L:ynn Nawoschaik, Debbie Stanhagen, Principal Cherry Fitch and Assistant Principal Victor Lowrimore“Mike has life-long ties with our school, from the days he was a student here, but this is a wonderful opportunity for him to become an administrator,” principal Cherry Fitch said in an email to all school teachers and faculty members.

“I know Navarre will appreciate his energy and commitment just as we have here.” A 1988 grad of Gulf Breeze High, Brandon was a part of the Dolphins’ first ever district football championship. From there, he played two years of football at the Merchant Marine Academy before transferring to the University of West Florida.

He then returned to Gulf Breeze, where he taught math and some PE. He has also coached ninth grade baseball, football and track, but most of his coaching career has been on the hardwood.

He was the boys JV coach for three years under now athletic director Mark Kostic. Brandon has been the varsity coach for the last eight seasons, leading the Dolphins to a postseason berth two years ago.

He has been the Dean of Students for the last two years.

“I think it was harder on me than it was the kids,” Brandon said when he told them the news.

“They have a good nucleus with three starters coming back,” Brandon said. “I think they’re going to have a lot of success.” Assistant coach Eric Reichert and JV coach Mark Stringfellow will take over until a new coach is named. The Dolphins will play in a summer tournament at Tate Friday and Saturday.

“As a dean, he was very fair, consistent and efficient,” Fitch said.