Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bryce Drew

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 21, 2025

Discover the career path of Bryce Drew, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Bryce Drew is an American college basketball coach, currently leading the Grand Canyon Antelopes. Before that, he coached the Vanderbilt Commodores and Valparaiso, taking over from his father, Homer Drew, at the latter. Drew is notable for guiding his teams to the NCAA tournament six times, achieving this feat at all three institutions where he has served as head coach.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1994: Named Indiana's Mr. Basketball

In 1994, Bryce Drew was named Indiana's Mr. Basketball after leading his team to the state final game.

1998: Selected in NBA Draft

Following his performance in the 1998 NCAA Tournament, Bryce Drew was selected as the 16th pick in the 1998 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets.

1998: NCAA Tournament Run

In 1998, Bryce Drew led 13-seed Valparaiso to an upset victory over 4-seed Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament with a buzzer-beating 3-point shot. The team then defeated 12-seeded Florida State before falling to 8-seeded Rhode Island.

1998: Buzzer-Beating Shot in NCAA Tournament

In 1998, Bryce Drew was known for his buzzer-beating shot in the first round of Valparaiso's run in the NCAA tournament.

2001: Scott promoted to associate coach

In 2001, Scott Drew also received the associate coach position before becoming head coach in 2002.

2002: Scott becomes head coach

In 2002, Scott Drew became the head coach.

2005: Assistant Coach at Valparaiso

In 2005, Bryce Drew was selected as the new assistant coach of the Valparaiso University men's basketball team.

2006: Associate Coach at Valparaiso

In 2006, Bryce was elevated to the position of associate coach at Valparaiso.

May 2011: Hired as Head Coach of Valparaiso

In May 2011, Bryce Drew was hired as the head coach of Valparaiso after his father, Homer Drew, retired.

April 6, 2016: Hired as Vanderbilt Head Coach

On April 6, 2016, Bryce Drew was hired as the head coach of Vanderbilt University.

2016: Vanderbilt Qualified for NCAA Tournament

In 2016, the Vanderbilt Commodores qualified for the NCAA tournament in Bryce Drew's first year as coach.

March 22, 2019: Fired by Vanderbilt

On March 22, 2019, Bryce Drew was fired by Vanderbilt after a losing season.

2019: ESPN Analyst

After being fired from Vanderbilt, in 2019, Drew joined ESPN as an analyst for college basketball coverage.

March 17, 2020: Hired as Grand Canyon Head Coach

On March 17, 2020, Bryce Drew was hired as the head coach of Grand Canyon University.

2020: NBA Lottery Pick

In 2020, Aaron Nesmith became an NBA lottery pick.

March 6, 2021: First WAC Regular-Season Championship

On March 6, 2021, Bryce Drew coached Grand Canyon to its first WAC regular-season championship in school history.

2023: First NCAA Tournament Win

In 2023, Drew achieved his first career win in the NCAA tournament when 12th-seeded Grand Canyon upset 5th-seeded Saint Mary's, before losing to Alabama.