Brandon Applewhite begins his first season as an assistant baseball coach at Fort Hays State University in 2026-27.
Applewhite transitioned to Hays after a four-year stint at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he served as the recruiting coordinator and offensive coach. He helped lead the Tritons to a GLVC tournament championship and NCAA Midwest Regional appearance in 2026, their first conference title and NCAA berth in 23 years. In his four years in the dugout, UMSL had one MLB draft pick (Dustin Hagens - 2026 - 15th rd - NYM), two All-American selections, seven All-Region picks and 16 All-GLVC performers.
Prior to his time in St. Louis, Applewhite was a recruiting/placement coordinator and hitting coach at Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa after a two-year term as the hitting and infield coach at Minot State University. In the summer of 2019, Applewhite was head coach for the Bulldogs in the Puerto Rico Collegiate Summer League. He began his career as an assistant coach for the hitters and infielders at Schreiner University.
Applewhite played collegiately for one year at Northern Oklahoma College-Enid, one year at Cedar Valley College and two years at LeTourneau University.
A native of Rhome, Texas, Applewhite graduated from LeTourneau University with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and earned a master’s degree in sport management at Minot State University.
