Laramie Plainsmen Basketball Seeks a New Leader [UPDATED]

For the third time in the last five years, Laramie High School is searching for a new boys’ basketball head coach.

Travis Brown decided to step down after three seasons shortly following the conclusion to the 2019 campaign.

Brown told KOWB,

“My family and I appreciated the opportunity to get to know a number of young men and families within our community that we would not have had the privilege to know without coaching at LHS.”

Laramie had a record of 23-46 in his tenure. The Plainsmen did not qualify for the state tournament in any of Brown's three seasons. They were eliminated twice by Cheyenne Central, and once by Natrona County, at the regional tournament.

Brown added, “Although the program’s win/loss record was not what we would have liked, we saw a number of very positive outcomes, including the program’s participation and retention increase every year for the past three years. There is a passion for basketball in Laramie and a bright future ahead for the program. I look forward to seeing where the program goes moving forward and will be there to support along the way, as a father, friend, and community member.”

Laramie High School Athletics and Activities Director Ron Wagner said there's always an element of surprise anytime a coach makes that type of decision.

"The year that I had with Coach (Travis) Brown was very positive. I felt like we did a lot of really great things. Obviously, unless you win a state championship, you're not going to be happy with the way the season ends. There's only one happy team at the end of the season. I only got to know him this year. He was always calling me asking for advice, or hey, 'I want to hold the kids to a higher standard, academically, I want to hold them to a higher standard, personally.' How can we do that? He always had the best interest of the kids in mind."

Wagner added he felt Coach Brown did a nice job, "Coaching at any level, let alone a (Class) 4A school, that also has a lot of passion for the sport, that's a difficult thing to do, and so that comes with its own pressures. It takes a toll on a family. It takes a toll on, if you're not in the school system, it could potentially take a toll professionally. When you look at all of those things, and I can't speak for him, I'm not speaking for him, but I'm sure all those things probably played a little bit into the decision that he arrived at after the season and he had a chance to reflect."

The search is already on-going, as the position has been posted since March 14.

Assistant coaches Dan Bleak and Nick Darling are running the program in the interim until a new head coach is named.

KOWB has learned through various sources that at least four candidates have already shown interest in the position.