Head Coach Wes Branstetter

Pittsburg State University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jim Johnson announced today (Nov. 6) that Wes Branstetter has been hired as the school's first head women's soccer coach tasked with leading the school's newly created program.

Branstetter comes to Pitt State after serving the past nine years as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., including the past four seasons as the Golden Eagles associate head coach.

Branstetter emerged as the clear choice, following an extensive national search, to assume the helm of the Pitt State women's soccer program as the Gorillas prepare to field their first-ever squad as a member of NCAA Division II and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) in 2024.

"We are excited to usher in the dawn of this new era of Pitt State women's soccer and welcome Wes Branstetter to lead the Gorillas during these unchartered times. Wes' passion for the game of soccer and desire to help mold student-athletes into winners both on and off the pitch is contagious. We are thrilled to have Wes accept the challenge to grow our women's soccer program from the ground up."

Branstetter helped ORU post an 8-7-4 record and advance to the semifinals of the 2023 Summit League Women's Soccer Championship. The Golden Eagles advanced all the way to the Summit League Championship match in 2022, falling on penalty picks to the University of Omaha.

During his tenure at ORU, Branstetter has helped coach both a Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, he has helped direct 16 All-Conference performers and 16 All Freshman/Newcomer performers during his tenure.

"First and foremost, I want to thank God for providing such a great opportunity for my family," Branstetter said. "He always provides, and we are so grateful. To my beautiful wife, Jenny, thank you for all the sacrifices you make for our family, and to allow me to follow my dreams and to show our children to go after something with all their might. We are grateful to President Dan Shipp, Athletic Director Jim Johnson and Search Consultant Marcus Kelcher for choosing us to join a top-notch University and one of the best athletic departments in the country.

“I’m so grateful for everyone at ORU:  for Roger Bush giving me an opportunity; for Austin Risenhoover growing me as a coach and a man,;and Athletic Director Tim Johnson for inspiring a fire to chase our best. ORU is a special place that is transformational in all facets of life.

"I'm excited to get to know Gorilla Nation as we build from the ground up a new women's soccer program that will compete at the highest level. We can't wait to hit the ground running with Pitt State Soccer and get the best student-athletes to Pittsburg. Go PITT STATE!"

Branstetter began his coaching career in 2003 as the assistant coach of the West Side Alliance Soccer Club 92 Boys. Since 2005 he has been the head coach of multiple teams including the WSA 97 Boys Red, WSA 99 Girls Red, WSA Boys Red, 99 Boys White, WSA 00 Boys Red & Blue, WSA 03 Girls Blue and WSA 03 Girls Black. In 2016, he was named the OSA Oklahoma Coach of the Year. He directed a pair of teams (WSA 97 boys & WSA 97 girls) to state championships in 2016 and 2017. His WSA 03 Girls squad finished sixth at the 2019 national championships, while WSA 01/02 girls finished as semifinalists at the 2019 national championships.

Branstetter hails from Sapulpa, Okla., where he was a three-year soccer and cross country athlete for Sapulpa High School. While there, he earned all-conference honors as well as being part of the Oklahoma Olympic Development program. He played collegiate soccer for Anderson University.

Branstetter earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Tulsa in 2006 and a master's degree in business administration from TU in 2008. He also enjoyed a successful seven-year career in the petroleum industry.

Wes and his wife, Jenny, have four children, Mia, Declan, Isla, and Nolan.