Brady, Dean ready to lead Wisconsin Herd

OSHKOSH - The Wisconsin Herd now has some faces to go with its franchise.

Team President Steve Brandes introduced David Dean as the team’s general manager and Jordan Brady as its head coach during a press conference at the Oshkosh Convention Center on Friday.

Dean and Brady are excited to be part of the first-year NBA G-League franchise.

“This is an amazing day for our organization and I’m very happy to be here,” said Dean, who was named to the GM post on July 1. “I can’t wait to lead this organization in the right direction.”

Brady brings plenty of G-League experience to the bench, having both played and served as an assistant coach in the developmental league. He has been an assistant coach for five teams, including last season with the Salt Lake City Stars.

Brady was named the first head coach for the team last week.

“I’ve had some good experiences as an assistant coach and I’m excited to apply the things I’ve learned to help these guys build a successful franchise,” Brady said. “The excitement for the team is incredible and we’re just excited to get going.”

About 50 people were on hand for the press conference. Brandes, Dean and Brady mentioned the local interest in the team and backing of the franchise.

They also agreed on the importance of developing a close union with the Bucks, for which the Herd serves as the G-League affiliate.

“In order to have a successful G-League franchise full integration and synchronization with the parent club is essential,” Brady said. “The idea of the league is to develop talent and help the Milwaukee Bucks win a championship. At the same time and parallel to that, we want to create a franchise that the people of Oshkosh can be proud of.”

Dean also has a history of minor league basketball on his resume, having started with the La Crosse Catbirds in the now defunct CBA. He spent the last nine years as the vice president of basketball administration for the Bucks before being tabbed as vice president of basketball operations and the general manager for the Herd.

“I’m a strong believer in the developmental of the minor league system and all that it entails. I have a strong place in my heart for minor league basketball and understand the role that it plays in getting to the next level,” said Dean, a Greendale native and graduate of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. “Our staff is focused on building a team that is successful on and off the court with the ultimate goal of contributing to helping the Bucks develop talent toward winning an NBA championship."

Much of that responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Brady, who will try to to lead the team to victories while optimizing the development of his players.

“The No. 1 priority is to develop players to help the Milwaukee Bucks become an NBA championship team but at the same time, you want to be able to help those players be able to grow within a winning culture,” Brady said. “It’s extremely important for me to create a relationship for me to create a feeling of trust between the coaching staff and the players and that I’m invested in their success. Once they understand that they are going to be much more willing to buy in to the team culture.”

Brady believes his best assets as a coach don’t necessarily revolve around coming up with a potent offense or stifling defense, but how he relates to players.

“Some of my greatest strengths don’t have to do with Xs and Os. I have a genuine concern and a genuine desire to help people succeed,” Brady said. “I really feel like I relate to what these players are going through and what they are trying to accomplish.”

With the first game only months away, the Herd can now move forward with two key pieces in place.

Dean and Brady are ready to take on the challenge.

“We will work very closely to make sure that we have a successful franchise here in Oshkosh,” Dean said. “We want the people in Oshkosh and the surrounding communities and the entire state of Wisconsin to be very proud.”