MONROEVILLE, Ala. - Two former Coastal Alabama Community College assistant coaches are continuing their coaching careers and education at the NCAA Division I level, as former Coastal Alabama - North Men's Basketball assistant coach N'Kyzie Hawkins and former Coastal Alabama - North Baseball student assistant Brandon Miller move on to new opportunities at the University of Missouri and Louisiana Tech University, respectively.

For both Hawkins and Miller, their time with Coastal Alabama provided valuable opportunities to develop as coaches, build relationships and gain experiences that will continue to shape their careers.

Miller Continues at Louisiana Tech

Brandon Miller, who served as a student assistant with Coastal Alabama - North Baseball in Brewton, is continuing his education and coaching career at Louisiana Tech University, where he will serve as a student assistant coach while studying exercise science.

Miller was part of a Coastal Alabama - North program that advanced to the ACCC Division II Baseball Championship Tournament and finished as the tournament runner-up.

The 2026 Coastal - North Baseball roster also saw 10 players move on to four-year programs, not including Miller, highlighting the program's role in helping student-athletes take the next step in their academic and athletic careers.

For Miller, his time in Brewton was defined as much by the people around him as it was by his experiences on the field.

"My time in Brewton was amazing," Miller said. "I met some of the best people I have ever met in my life. From coaches, players, faculty and staff, they treated me with the utmost respect. I will forever be grateful for Brewton and the many friends who are now my best friends."

At Louisiana Tech, Miller will continue developing as a coach while pursuing his degree in exercise science. His long-term goal is to become a Division I college pitching coach. If that path does not materialize, Miller hopes to pursue a career as a college strength and conditioning coach.

Coastal Alabama - North Head Baseball Coach Matt Collins said Miller's work ethic and commitment to the program made a lasting impact.

"Brandon Miller is an old-school kind of guy," Collins said. "He loves to be at the office early and embraces the grind. Not many guys will be able to outwork him. That's what I loved about him — his willingness to be present and his work ethic."

Collins also praised Miller's continued growth as a young coach and believes his mentality will serve him well at the next level.

"He's a young coach who is continuing to grow in the coaching world," Collins said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being a head strength coach somewhere. Louisiana Tech is lucky to have such a young coach with that kind of mentality and work ethic. He meant so much to our program, and he will be a huge asset at Louisiana Tech. He will be truly missed. Forever a Coyote!"
 

Hawkins Moves to SEC's Missouri

N'Kyzie Hawkins, who served as an assistant coach with Coastal Alabama - North Men's Basketball in Monroeville, has joined the University of Missouri Men's Basketball program as a graduate assistant.

During his time with the Coyotes, Hawkins helped lead Coastal Alabama - North to back-to-back Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Division II Regular Season Championships, the 2025-26 ACCC Division II Tournament Championship and a berth in the 2025-26 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament all under head coach Chuck Taylor. 

At Missouri, Hawkins will work closely with the Tigers' players in skill development while assisting head coach Dennis Gates and the rest of the coaching staff in their efforts to help the program achieve its goal of competing for a national championship.

Hawkins said his time at Coastal Alabama played an important role in both his coaching and personal development.

"My time at Coastal was vital to my development as a coach, as well as my personal development," Hawkins said. "I was surrounded by the love and compassion of the same people who embraced me and nurtured me as a student-athlete. This allowed me to learn from one of the greatest head coaches in the world, Coach Chuck Taylor. Everything I learned in Monroeville has stayed with me as I moved on to the University of Missouri, and I am forever grateful for my Coastal Alabama family."

Hawkins' transition to Missouri represents another step in a coaching journey that began at the junior college level, where he gained hands-on experience in player development, program operations and the day-to-day responsibilities of collegiate coaching.

Coastal Alabama - North Men's Basketball Coach Chuck Taylor knew coaching would take Hawkins to the next level even as a player for Taylor several years before.

"Kyzie has coaching in his blood," said Taylor. "As a former player, I told him he would make a good coach. Well, I was wrong. He's a great coach. Has a great understanding of program standards and attention to detail."

Taylor also mentioned how Hawkins was an asset during the Coyotes' impressive current run in the ACCC.

"He was instrumental in our run to the conference and tournament titles," Taylor said. "The University of Missouri got a good one. We wish him nothing but the best."
 

Continuing the Coyote Journey

While Hawkins and Miller are moving on to NCAA Division I programs, both will carry lessons, relationships and experiences they gained at Coastal Alabama with them.

Their departures also reflect the opportunities available within Coastal Alabama Athletics for coaches and student-athletes to develop both on and off the court or field while preparing for the next stage of their careers.

 

---

FOLLOW THE YOTES

For coverage of Coastal Alabama North Athletics, follow the Coyotes on social media at /CoastalAlabamaNorth (Facebook), @CoastalAL_North (Twitter), and @coastalal_north (Instagram), or visit the official home of the Coastal Alabama North Athletic Department at https://coastalcoyotessnorth.com/index.aspx.