Following LCU Esports’ third-place finish at nationals, Coach Brandon Hackett was named NACE 2025-2026 Coach of the Year for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Following two consecutive national championships in 2024 and 2025, LCU Esports returned to the national spotlight at the 2026 National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Grand Finals.
LCU has become a staple at the championships, held at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, and the two-time national champion program added Coach of the Year and All NACE 1st Team player Elijah Bashir to its accolades in 2026. LCU finished in the top 4, losing to the eventual national champions, Winthrop, in the semifinals.
"I’m incredibly honored to have received the NACE 2025-26 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Esports Coach of the Year award,” shared Coach Hacket, now in his fourth year directing the program, “but this truly belongs to the student-athletes I get to work with every day. Their dedication, discipline, and the way they consistently show up for one another are what defined our season.”
LCU launched its Esports Athletic program in 2020, and it quickly became a key part of campus life. In 2022, Coach Brandon Hackett took the helm, guiding the team to multiple achievements. Under his leadership, LCU Esports has earned several prestigious accolades across five competitive games: Overwatch 2, Rocket League, Mario Kart World, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Valorant.
In addition to competitive tournaments, the program also hosts and participates in numerous charity events and livestreams, including the Battle for the 806. Hosted in conjunction with Texas Tech University, the competition benefitted Children’s Miracle Network, and LCU won handily, sweeping every competition.
“I’m deeply thankful for God’s guidance throughout this year,” Coach Hackett said. “It’s been a steady reminder of perspective, gratitude, and purpose in everything we do. From our semifinal run at the national championship to wins at Riptide 2025, What’s The Daily Citadel 2025, and Let’s Make Big Moves 2026, this group put in the hours, made adjustments when it mattered most, and competed for each other every step of the way. I’m proud of the standard they’ve set and grateful to be part of their growth and what they’re building together.”