Lakeland High School is proud to announce the hiring of Brandon Auker as the new Head Coach of the Girls Varsity Basketball program, pending board approval. A native of Evansville, Indiana, with a rich pedigree in the sport and a deep background in collegiate coaching, Auker joins Laker Nation with a mission to build a culture of excellence, family, and long-term student success.
Coach Auker’s connection to the game began early. Raised in a household of coaches, he spent his childhood in the gym watching his mother work alongside Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer Bruce Dockery for over 20 years. That immersion fueled a standout playing career where he competed as a four-year varsity player in high school before playing at the collegiate level for Elmhurst University.
"I knew I wanted to coach at the age of nine or ten," says Auker. "After a five-year college coaching career and a brief time away to focus on my young family, my faith led me back to the gym. I was looking for a place where I could make a real impact at the high school varsity level, and Lakeland was the perfect fit."
Auker was drawn to Lakeland not just for the basketball but for the community. After meeting with Athletic Director Ryan Yoder, he knew the "Laker Family" was exactly what he was searching for.
"I have always yearned for a school where support is both vertical and horizontal—a true family environment," Auker explained. "I’m stoked to take the program built by so many amazing coaches and families and elevate it to a level that every former Laker can be proud of."
Coach Auker’s philosophy extends beyond the scoreboard. While his sights are set on an IHSAA Sectional Championship, his primary focus remains on the development of the "Laker mindset."
Development: Auker plans to engage players from Kindergarten through 12th grade, sparking interest early and using his college coaching connections to help student-athletes pursue their dreams at the next level.
Resilience and Perspective: "We are never defined by our wins and losses," Auker noted. "We will be process-oriented, teaching our athletes how to reframe losses as learning opportunities. This is a life skill that will serve them long after they leave the court."
Meet Coach Auker
Family First: Brandon is the husband of Marin and the proud father of two daughters, Millee and Louise, along with their dog, Domino.
Off the Court: When he’s not in the gym, you can find him on the golf course.
Well-Traveled: Having lived in four different states (Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Florida), he is excited to plant roots in LaGrange and get to work.
Join us in welcoming Brandon Auker to Laker Nation!