It's a homecoming story that's been years in the making. DeAndre Brock, a former standout player and longtime assistant at Warren Central, has been named the new head boys basketball coach for the Warriors. And for Brock, who had previously applied for the job when it opened, the timing finally feels right.
"God's timing is always right," Brock said. "I am honored to be able to come home to give to a community that had so much to do with molding me as a player, a man and as a coach. Thanks to the whole Far Eastside community and I look forward to getting back to where we were. It's time to get back to work."
Brock, 39, brings a wealth of experience to the role. After spending the last five years as athletic director at Phalen Academy, he has one season of head coaching experience under his belt—leading Howe to a 13-11 record in 2019-20, the final year before the high school closed. Before that, he spent eight seasons as an assistant at Warren Central, working under both Greg Graham and Criss Beyers. He was part of the coaching staff for the legendary 2017-18 team that went undefeated and captured a Class 4A state championship.
Brock first set his sights on the Warriors' head coaching job in 2019 after Beyers stepped down, but the position went to Kristof Kendrick and then Garrett Winegar. Two coaches and a few seasons later—following D'Andre Davis (2020-23) and a return by Beyers (2023-26)—Brock finally gets his chance to lead the program.
He inherits a young but promising squad. The Warriors finished 6-16 last season, but the roster was almost entirely made up of juniors, including key contributors like J.J. Craig (11.1 ppg), Scott Bostic (9.9 ppg, 4.9 rebounds), Kaleb Elkins (9.6 ppg, 3.9 rebounds), and Chase Lawson (7.4 ppg). With that core returning, Brock has a solid foundation to build on.
A standout player in his own right, Brock earned all-county and all-conference honors as a senior at Warren Central in 2003-04. He went on to shine at the University of Indianapolis before playing two years professionally in Germany. Now, he's back where it all started, ready to write the next chapter.
"It's time to get back to work," Brock said. And for Warriors fans, that's a welcome rallying cry.