Aquinas hires new girls’ hoops coach after architect of championship dynasty steps down
Oliver Berens helped build St. Thomas Aquinas into one of the top girls’ basketball teams in the state and the nation.
Under his tutelage, the Raiders won state titles each of the past four seasons, which is tied for the third-longest championship streak in state history and second-longest by a Broward County school.
But Aquinas will now look to another state championship-winning coach to stay at the top.
Berens recently stepped down from his position to take a break from coaching.
This week, the Raiders announced they have hired Daytona Beach Mainland High coach Brandon Stewart as the program’s new head coach.
Stewart, an alum of Miami Carol City High and Bethune-Cookman University, led the Bucs to their first state championship in 2023 and a state runner-up finish this past season.
“It was an opportunity that I felt was a lot bigger than just basketball,” Stewart told the Daytona Beach News-Journal. “It definitely is closer to home, and I’m just blessed to be afforded the opportunity to coach at St. Thomas Aquinas. I’m excited for a new journey.”
Berens, 31, compiled a record of 170-59 during his seven seasons coaching at Aquinas and helped it become only the fourth Broward school to win four or more state championships in a row.
Stewart, 31, compiled an 86-46 record in five seasons at Mainland and lived in the Daytona area since playing for Bethune-Cookman in 2010. After one season as an assistant coach with the Bucs, he became the head coach in 2019. He led the Bucs to three consecutive state final four appearances, three district titles and helped them snap Plantation American Heritage’s five-year state championship streak in 2023.
Aquinas went 23-9 this past season, but loses four starters from their state title team.
“I am honored and blessed to join the St. Thomas Aquinas community and lead the girls’ basketball program,” Stewart said in a statement released by Aquinas. “I look forward to working with our talented athletes, dedicated coaching staff, and supportive community to build upon the program’s legacy of excellence.”
