Steve Robinson gave Arizona’s staff a veteran presence, one that helped Tommy Lloyd navigate the first four years of his head coaching career. His replacement hasn’t been around the game nearly as long but still has plenty of experience, including working with another UA assistant.
The Wildcats have hired Brandon Chappell as an assistant for the 2025-26 season, replacing Robinson, who retired after more than 40 years of coaching.
Welcome to the family Coach Chappell ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xRryF2DnY6
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) May 5, 2025
Chappell, 41, spent the previous three seasons at Texas, leading the Longhorns to a trio of NCAA Tournament appearances. The 2022-23 squad won the Big 12 Tournament and reached the Elite Eight, and during his tenure Chappell was known as a top recruiter.
Other stops include UNLV (2021-22) and Lamar (2017-21) as well as Division II schools Arkansa-Fort Smith (2016-17) and Armstrong State (2013-14). He also spent two seasons as a grad assistant at NAU from 2014-16, working on then-head coach and current UA assistant Jack Murphy.
A Lamar grad, Chappell was a two-time captain for the Cardinals before spending five seasons of pro basketball in Germany.
Chappell joins a staff at UA that includes Murphy, Rem Bakamus, TJ Benson and Ken Nakagawa as assistants.