Coach Brandt begins his first season as the associate head coach for Head Coach Derek Potteiger and the Flames. He comes to Lee after serving as the head coach at Olivet Nazarene University (Illinois) in 2022. He guided the Tigers to a 16-2-3 record, a conference championship, and a national championship tournament appearance.

Prior to his stint at Olivet, Brandt served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for NCAA DI Bucknell University (2021) and NCAA DIII Carnegie Mellon University (2019-21). Brandt's first-ever coaching opportunity came in 2018 as an assistant with NCAA DIII Hope College.  He helped guide the Flying Dutchmen to an impressive 14-3-1 record and a national ranking.

"When the job here opened, there was one guy at the very top of my list to pursue and that was Danny Brandt.  Danny not only has years of experience at multiple schools and multiple levels, but he is just a flat-out talented coach – both with individuals and the collective team – and an elite recruiter," said Potteiger. "I'm so grateful to the leadership of the athletic program and the institution here at Lee that supported the entire process of getting Danny here."

A 2018 graduate of NCAA DIII soccer powerhouse Messiah College, Brandt was a part of NCAA Championship teams in 2013 and 2017. He was also a two-time First Team All-MAC Commonwealth Conference selection (2014, 2017) and an All-Mid-Atlantic Region pick in 2014.

"I have known Danny for a long time and that relationship is something that goes a long way on a college athletics staff.  It has been a joy to watch him have such success as a college player – he won two National Championships at that level – and then to track his progress and success as a coach, most recently his run to the National Tournament at Olivet Nazarene.  And now, to be able to bring him to Lee and partner with him in pushing this program to new heights is a real joy and something I'm looking forward to doing together," noted Potteiger.

The Potteiger and Brandt connection runs deeps as he served as the lead assistant under Danny's father, Dave Brandt at the Naval Academy from 2009-2013.

"I have known Coach Potteiger for a while but at the same time coaches know across the country how great of a coach and person that Coach Potteiger is and the opportunity to learn from him was something that attracted me to Lee," said Brandt. "The energy of Lee from the students to the staff is great and it is one of the top D2 soccer programs to be a part of. I feel fortunate to be given this opportunity."

Coach Brandt makes his home in Cleveland.