Staff Directory

Brandon Frase

Title:
Safeties

Brandon Frase joined the University of Tennessee at Martin football staff in 2026 as the program’s safeties coach, bringing a wealth of experience developing defensive backs at the collegiate and high school levels.

Frase came to UT Martin following a successful four-year tenure at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he served in a variety of defensive roles. He was named the Panthers’ defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator in 2020 before being promoted to defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach in 2022. In 2024, he served as associate head football coach, defensive coordinator and corners coach.

During his time at Kentucky Wesleyan, Frase helped develop several standout defensive backs, including KiShawn Walker, who earned four All-America honors following the 2021 season. Walker led the nation with 22 passes defended and recorded five interceptions as the Panthers ranked 25th nationally in interceptions. Frase also coached multiple All-Conference selections during his tenure.

Prior to Kentucky Wesleyan, Frase spent the 2019 season at Valparaiso University as the program’s nickelbacks coach. That season, the Valpo defense ranked among the top five in the Pioneer Football League in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and passing defense. The defense also ranked second in the league in opponent third-down conversion percentage.

Frase began his coaching career at the high school level, serving as a varsity assistant at Cuyahoga Falls High School in Ohio from 2015-18 and at Orange High School in Pepper Pike, Ohio, in 2018. At Cuyahoga Falls, he coached wide receivers and defensive backs while also serving as co-defensive coordinator in 2016. At Orange, he helped guide the program to an OHSAA playoff berth and coached multiple all-conference performers.

A native of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Frase played collegiately at Ohio Wesleyan University, seeing action at both wide receiver and safety during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He earned his degree in physical and health education from Kent State University in December 2018.During his playing career he played wide receiver and safety at Ohio Wesleyan during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Frase graduated from Kent State University with a degree in physical and health education in December 2018. A native of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Frase is married to his wife, Kayla.