First we had Rocky.

Then we had Jason.

Now we have Dale.

As in Dale Brannock, The Return.

Dale Brannock ... he's back.

Dale Brannock II.

Titles for the next big hollywood sequel.

Not quite.

But Wawasee girls basketball coach Kem Zolman has a blockbuster on his hands.

When Zolman took over the reins of the girls program in Syracuse, he made one of the finest personnel decisions in the history of high school sports by asking Brannock to return to Wawasee as his assistant.

Brannock was the head coach at Wawasee from 1981 to 1988. During his tenure, the Warriors were simply dominant, winning sectional championships every year but '88, three regional championships and placing as a state runnerup in 1985.

Brannock approached Zolman at last year's sectional and offered his services in any way to keep Zolman in Syracuse.

At the time, Zolman could have been looking elsewhere for employment, following several years as a varsity assistant. Zolman chose to stay at Wawasee when he was offered the head coaching job for the girls' program.

When Zolman went looking for a staff, he called Brannock.

"Some coaches may view that as scary," Zolman said. "I didn't feel that way. I thought it would be stupid to not take advantage of that. It all kind of fell into place.

"He's very sensitive that he doesn't supersede the head coach. I never really worry about it."

If you know Brannock, you know Zolman had nothing to worry about. The laid-back coach is quick to crack a joke with reporters and players.

He enjoys his role with the team. I don't think he'd have it any other way.

"I kind of like it that way. I'm the fire-up, pump-up guy," Brannock said. "My relationship is coach, but more as friend."

Brannock breaks down the tension during the game with a smile a mile wide, and he breaks out his jokes for scorekeepers, referees and fans. You'll never see a look of worry on a Wawasee player's face while Brannock is on the bench.

And that is the key. At a time when winning is considered the most important factor in sports, high school up to professional, Brannock is a breath of fresh air. You can go to high school games where the coach stomps his hard-sole shoes on the hardwood and where fans scream at the top of their lungs when they believe an official has botched a call. Brannock helps to remind his players the most important thing is fun.

For all that, Brannock's ulimate example of character is his ablity to take the attention away from himself and turn the interview into a chance to praise his boss.

"The kids learn more basketball from him (Zolman) in one Saturday then I think they have before, even I've learned some basketball, from a different perspective," Brannock commented.

Brannock's decision to return to coaching has not only been benificial to the program, but also to his health.

"It's really good to me on a health standpoint. When you're around young kids, you've got more zip in your step."

With the combination of Zolman and his knowledge of the X's and O's coupled with Brannock's attitude of fun over winning, Wawasee has the makings of a great coaching team.

But, then again, Brannock put it best with his most serious comment of the afternoon: "We're on our way to bringing this program back." [[In-content Ad]]