Assistant Coach Phyllis Brahinsky

Assistant

Phyllis Brahinsky

by Steve Gamel | photo courtesy of Phyllis Brahinsky

Phyllis Brahinsky sat comfortably at home, lightly glancing over a newsletter from the Texas Girls Coaches Association when her eyes did a double-take. At the bottom of one page was the organization’s announcement of the state’s subvarsity coaches of the year. Brahinsky looked to see if she knew anyone on the list. And boy, did she ever.

Right there — smack dab in the middle of the list — was her name.

“You know how sometimes you read a list, and you think you see something, but you’re also not sure if your mind is playing tricks on you? That’s how I felt,” Brahinsky said. “I grabbed my glasses, and that’s when I saw my name.”

She added, “I started tearing up. I ran into the other room to show my husband.”

The TGCA awards recognize coaches from all six classifications in volleyball, basketball, cross country, and cheerleading. Brahinsky, a varsity assistant for Lake Dallas’ volleyball team and the head freshman girls basketball coach, was named the Class 5A-6A Sub-Varsity Volleyball Coach of the Year. Last school year, the volleyball team made it to the playoffs. She also helps when needed on varsity basketball, and last year, she was there when the Lady Falcons made it to the Class 5A region tournament.

But anyone who knows “Coach B” insists that this award is long overdue.

Coach B is starting her 27th year in coaching, 15th at Lake Dallas. Yet she’d never been recognized at the state level, regardless of how many times she was nominated. During her time with the Lady Falcons, both the volleyball and basketball programs have gone through numerous head coaches, yet Brahinsky was that one constant. She embodies the “first one in the gym and last to leave” mentality and has tirelessly worked to give her life to athletes. The head coaches she’s worked with say she’s the best assistant ever.

“Coach B represents exactly what an assistant coach of the year should,” Lake Dallas volleyball coach Kristinn Holbrooks said. “There was not a tournament we attended or an away match we traveled to where another head coach wouldn’t come over and try to convince her to come work for them. She has worked with a different volleyball head coach each year for the last four seasons and treats each one the same if not better than the last.”

Heather Van Noy agreed. She coached volleyball at Lake Dallas before taking the reins at Guyer.

“She’s the most selfless person I’ve ever worked with. She has a heart of gold and is 100% in this for the kids,” Van Noy said. “People she coached 30 years ago are still reaching out to her — because she leaves a lasting impact on you. I nominated her in previous years. Jason [Roemer] did, too. I’m excited that it has finally happened.”

Brahinsky grew up in Irving and, as a freshman in high school, became a national champion in riding horses at rodeos and other events. She went on to Tarleton State, where she played softball and was in the band. Believe it or not, she also has a degree from Hamburger University. She got into coaching a little later than most, but her experience — plus that heart of gold — made her an instant pro.

And the best assistant coach you could ask for — with or without a shiny award.

“I didn’t get to this point by myself. You can give this award to me all you want, but it’s their award, too,” Coach B said. “People ask me how much longer I’ll do this, and I always say, ‘When people retire, they say it’s because they want to spend time with family. I don’t have kids of my own, so these are my kids. This is my family. I get to be around all age groups, and being around them is what I enjoy doing most.’”