By Ryan Makuch
When Olivia Brannon agreed to serve as an assistant coach for The Mighty Oak’s inaugural season in the USL W League, it was not initially a player/coach role. But as we gear up for the third week of play, Brannon has inarguably been a vital part of AFCAA on the field equally as off the field, or on the training pitch.
Through these first two weeks of the season, Brannon has stood out as the anchor of the defense. She has been the long center back to play all 90 minutes in both games, and only Tiffanie Hollingsworth across the back four has also played all 180 minutes of the season. Brannon has been reliably calm, exactly what you’d expect from a player coach, and she agrees that the role has suited her well to start the year.
“As a coach, I’m always hopping in and coaching during activities and games with my players, and as a player, I’m naturally very vocal and organize players around me,” Brannon would say, adding, “so the player coach role is the best of both worlds.” She added with a smile that the playing aspect is a bit more physically demanding than the coaching part, but they are both equally exciting prospects for Brannon.
Brannon also shared some insight into her line of thinking as a player coach. Brannon said, “An interesting thing I’ve noticed is that there are moments during training when I catch myself thinking more like a player or more like a coach, depending on the situation, but very rarely is there an off switch where I’m not thinking about the team from a playing or coaching perspective.”
Brannon’s pedigree as a player and as a coach both have made her a natural fit into the side, who decided that the extra experience in defense would be both needed and welcomed, especially in these early days as players continue to arrive and get to full fitness. As a player, Brannon spent two seasons playing for the University of Virginia, earning a nod to the All-ACC Freshman Team, before transferring closer to home, to Michigan, where she would finish out her career and earn her degree. A strong defender whose favorite aspect of the game is defending, her organization and her 1v1 capabilities were highlighted as key strengths for her.
Brannon also emphasized her versatility and, indirectly, her willingness to do whatever she can to help her side’s cause. “My preferred position is center back, but I’m one of those players who will play anywhere if it means I can help the team.”
When it comes to coaching, Brannon also has an extensive list of credentials. Brannon has done significant work at the youth level, including serving as a head coach in the Michigan Jaguars academy system in 2017-to 21, before moving to Michigan Rush Downriver.
Brannon also joins a strong contingent of members of The Mighty Oak who have international experience. Brannon has represented the United States at the U17 and U20 levels, where she aided in their qualification to the 2010 and 2012, respectively, Women’s Youth World Cups.
It is these well-rounded experiences that make Brannon a standout on the field. As one of the most experienced members of this season’s women’s side, her confident and calming presence around the club instantly springs to mind the sort of effect that Mami Yamaguchi had on some of the younger players at the club in 2019 when she appeared for the club.
Brannon is also deeply passionate about her work as a coach, and she is enjoying the current moment with AFCAA very much. “What I love most about coaching at this level is the amount of passion I get to see and work with day in and day out,” she would say. “Not only from the players, but from the coaching/administrative staff, and the community.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in this kind of environment and every day is honestly a treat,” Brannon would also add, emphasizing a sort of emotion that many in the AFCAA Family have expressed previously about the return to action of the club.
“Since this is my first season with AFCAA and in the league, I want to continue to learn and grow as a player and coach,” Brannon said when discussing her own goals and desires for the season. “I want the best outcome for our team and to help each woman in achieving their personal goals.” But the end result is important too in sport. “And, of course, I want to win,” Brannon pointedly said.
Thus far, Brannon has helped AFCAA to their first USL W League victory, a 3-1 win over Kings Hammer FC on the Ohio/Kentucky border. The wins have started, and the hope is that with help from players like Brannon, and the player-coach’s own inspiration boosting the club, they will continue.
About AFC Ann Arbor
Association Football Club Ann Arbor (AFC Ann Arbor) was founded in 2014 and competes in USL2 (men’s) and USLW (women’s) national amateur leagues. We are a community-based club, focused on equity, justice, and anti-racism. We consider all of our stakeholders, including supporters, players, staff, and ownership to be part of the #AFCAAFamily. Come On You Mighty Oak!