Marcus “Chief” Bryant is entering his sixth season as the Head Men’s Basketball coach at Keiser University. Bryant was named the head coach of the Seahawks on June 4th, 2020.
Chief’s Column
- Bryant has a 93-55 record in five seasons as the head coach
- Led the Seahawks to NAIA National Tournament Appearances in 2021, 2024, and 2025
- Named Rollie Massimino Sun Conference Coach of the Year in 2025
- Coached 12 All-Conference players with eight First-Team selections
- Guided three players to NAIA All-American honors with one First-Team honor
- Boasts a 49-33 record in Sun Conference games
- Helped Vincent Miszkiewicz to Sun Conference Player of the Year honors in 2024
- Off the court, six players have been named NAIA Scholar Athletes
- Additionally, nine players have earned Academic All-Conference honors
- Garnered NABC Team Academic Excellence Award recognition in each of the last four seasons
2024-25
- Posted a career-best 26 wins including a 14-2 mark in conference play
- Advanced to the NAIA Round of 16 after defeating Faulkner and No. 9 William Woods
- Made an appearance at the NAIA National Tournament for the third time in career
- Led Vincent Miszkiewicz to NAIA All-America honors for second consecutive season
- Miszkiewicz led the NAIA in blocks while finishing second in offensive, defensive, and total rebounds
- Calvin Sirmans finished fourth in the NAIA in assists and steals
- As a team, the Seahawks ranked in the top 10 in the NAIA in offensive rebounds per game, total rebounds per game, steals per game, blocks per game, and opponent field goal percentage
- In the classroom, three players received NAIA Scholar Athlete recognition
- Received NABC Team Academic Excellence Award recognition
2023-24
- Finished with an 18-11 overall record with an 8-6 Sun Conference mark
- Advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the second time in career
- Guided Vincent Miszkiewicz to NAIA First-Team All-American honors
- Posted a 3-1 record against NAIA Top-25 teams
- Led Miszkiewicz to Sun Conference Player of the Year honors
- Miszkiewicz led the NAIA in rebounds per game (15.9) and offensive rebounds (160)
- Helped Calvin Sirmans to Sun Conference Freshman of the Year honors
- Sirmans led the NAIA with 7.1 assists per game and finished 10th in the NAIA with 71 steals
- Off the court, three players were named NAIA Scholar Athletes
- Garnered NABC Team Academic Excellence Award recognition
2022-23
- Posted a 16-13 overall record with an 8-8 mark in conference play
- Led the Seahawks to the Sun Conference Quarterfinal game in which they fell to Webber International, 75-59
- Guided Core'von Lott and Justin Tucker to First Team All-Conference honors
- Defeated No. 14 Florida College with the most points scored in a ranked game at 105
- Finished the year ranked fourth in the country in offensive rebounds per game with 15.0 orpg
2021-22
- Closed out the year with a 12-16 record and a 6-10 mark in conference play
- Guided the Seahawks to the Sun Conference Quarterfinal game, falling to Ave Maria, 62-64
- Coached two All-Conference players, including one First Team member
- Aided in two Academic All-Conference members on the year
- Led the Sun Conference assists leader, Antwan Claxton with 4.4 assists per game
2020-21
- Finished with a 21-10 overall record and 13-7 mark in conference play in year one
- Led the Seahawks to the Sun Conference Tournament Championship, defeating St. Thomas, 72-71
- Won the first game of the NAIA National Tournament against No. 15 Georgetown on a buzzer beater
- Aided in two All-Conference players, including one on the First Team
- Coached the Sun Conference Tournament MVP, Core'von Lott
- Guided Core'von Lott to NAIA All-American honors
- Posted a 12-1 record in home games
- Led the Seahawks to a pair of wins against NAIA Top 25 teams
- Had the conference leading scorer, Core'von Lott with 18.1 points per game
- Keiser led the conference in free throw percentage
- Off the court, one player earned Academic All-Conference honors
- Garnered NABC Team Academic Excellence Award recognition
Pre-Keiser
Bryant spent the previous ten seasons at Eckerd College, including two seasons as the Associate Head Coach. In that time, the Tritons made five National Tournament appearances, claimed two SSC Tournament Titles, and won a SSC Regular Season Championship. In addition, he was part of the NCAA Sweet 16 team in 2018 and was named the fourth-best Assistant Coach by Coachstat.net.
Bryant has worked with eight All-Conference players, four All-District selections, three NCAA All-Americans, three NCAA All-Region players, one Newcomer of the Year, and one All-Freshman honoree. Off the court, he mentored 16 NABC Honors Court selections.
Playing Career
Bryant played two seasons at Eckerd College, earning All-Conference honors in both of those seasons. He led the Tritons to the 2004 SSC Championship while making two appearance in the NCAA National Tournament. During his time, Bryant’s teams averaged 23 wins with a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2003.
Bryant ended his time at Eckerd, ranking ninth in field-goal percentage (55.1), 12th in points per game (13.1), and 14th in rebounds per game (6.5).
Personal
Bryant graduated from Eckerd in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. His family includes his wife, Latara Bryant, and his children, Major James Bryant and Makensley Janelle Bryant.
Bryant Year-By-Year
Keiser – Head Coach
| Year |
Record |
Pct. |
Conference
Record |
Finish |
Postseason |
| 2024-25 |
26-6 |
.812 |
14-2 |
1st |
NAIA Round of 16 |
| 2023-24 |
18-11 |
.621 |
8-6 |
4th |
NAIA Regional |
| 2022-23 |
16-13 |
.552 |
8-8 |
4th |
n/a |
| 2021-22 |
12-16 |
.429 |
6-10 |
6th |
n/a |
| 2020-21 |
21-10 |
.677 |
13-7 |
2nd |
Mont. Regional |
Eckerd – Associate Head Coach/Assistant Coach
| Year |
Record |
Pct. |
Conference
Record |
Finish |
Postseason |
| 2019-20 |
10-18 |
.354 |
6-14 |
9th |
n/a |
| 2018-19 |
19-10 |
.655 |
12-8 |
4th |
n/a |
| 2017-18 |
26-7 |
.788 |
14-6 |
1st |
Sweet 16 |
| 2016-17 |
21-9 |
.700 |
13-5 |
1st |
South Regional |
| 2015-16 |
25-7 |
.781 |
12-4 |
1st |
South Regional |
| 2014-15 |
12-16 |
.429 |
4-12 |
8th |
n/a |
| 2013-14 |
17-14 |
.548 |
7-9 |
7th |
n/a |
| 2012-13 |
20-8 |
.714 |
11-5 |
3rd |
South Regional |
| 2011-12 |
21-9 |
.700 |
11-5 |
2nd |
South Regional |
| 2010-11 |
22-8 |
.733 |
11-5 |
3rd |
n/a |
