EL DORADO, Kan. – Legendary Butler football coach Steve "The Goat" Braet passed away on May 2, 2024, in Wichita, Kansas, after a courageous battle with cancer, at his home surrounded by family.
A celebration of life service for Braet will be held at the Power Plant on the campus of Butler Community College in El Dorado on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 4 p.m. A reception will follow immediately after in the BCC Welcome Center until 8 p.m. In honor of Coach Braet, guests are encouraged to wear purple.
Braet is survived by his loving family: his wife of 44 years, Dana (Griffiths) Braet; sons, Steven "Taylor" Braet (and daughter-in-law Leah Braet) along with their daughters, Brittany and Delaney and son, Briley; and Dr. Corey Joseph Braet, D.O. (and daughter-in-law Sarah Braet) along with their sons, James and John. He is also survived by his brother, Ron Braet. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert (Bob) and Darlene Braet.
"The Goat" as he was affectionately referred to as, was an assistant coach for the Grizzlies for 42 seasons and was the common link to Butler's six national championships. The long time Butler defensive line coach was inducted into the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and into the Butler Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023.
Braet's coaching career began in 1979 as an unpaid volunteer assistant and officially ended on February 1, 2022, as the associate head coach/defensive line coach for Butler. He helped the Grizzlies to 22 KJCCC conference titles as the Grizzlies amassed a record of 337-118-2 with Braet roaming the sidelines. He was widely recognized as one of the top defensive line coaches in the country. In 2001 he was named the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year.
Those around Braet knew he was not one to be in the spotlight, with his standard response of "no media" when asked to be interviewed. Instead, he would rather his players on-field performance do the talking for him. Their actions spoke as loud as Braet's voice, as the number of players he sent to the four-year level as well as the National Football League has been astounding.
You can read more about Braet at the below links with articles, videos and tweets all linked. For questions you can reach the Butler athletic department at the following email: rburnett5@butlercc.edu
Click here to read Braet's obituary.
Click here to watch the KSN News Segment on Braet's legacy.
Click here to watch Braet's Butler Athletic Hall of Fame Tribute Video.
Click here to read the Wichita Eagle's Article on Braet's Legacy.
Click here to view the photo gallery of Braet's Hall of Fame Induction.
