Justin Browner was hired in May of 2021 as strength & conditioning coordinator for the men’s basketball program.
Browner joins the Eagles after spending last season on the Western Carolina athletics performance staff as an assistant director. Prior to that, Browner came to Cullowhee after spending a year as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. At WCU, Browner worked within the David & Marie Brinkley Athletic Weightlifting Facility while primarily assisting with men’s basketball, volleyball, women’s tennis, and men’s golf programs.
A former collegiate basketball student-athlete, Browner worked closely with the men’s basketball, volleyball, and baseball programs at Sacred Heart in his most recent charge, while also assisting with the Pioneers football program. He also worked closely in the personal and professional development of graduate assistants and interns in the SHU strength and conditioning.
Prior to moving north, Browner spent two years as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Virginia Commonwealth while enrolled in graduate school. While in Richmond, Browner was afforded the opportunity to work with VCU’s Exercise Science Department on numerous projects that aided the athletic performance of the Rams’ student-athletes, while also administering nutrition plans in concert with a nutritionist. His professional experience also includes two years as the head junior varsity boys’ basketball coach, as well as strength and conditioning coach at Osborne High School.
Originally from Marietta, Ga., Browner was a team captain and served as a player-coach during his collegiate career at Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tenn. A two-time All-America nominee and the first player in program history to eclipse 1,000 career points, he finished his four years as the all-time leading scorer in Hiwassee history.
Browner was a cum laude graduate with a BS degree in psychology in May 2014 before entering the Sports Leadership program at VCU where he graduated in August 2019.
