Kenny Brooks has been announced as the new head coach for the Kentucky women’s basketball team, bringing a wealth of experience and a track record of success to the role. Hailing from Waynesboro, Virginia, Brooks has made a significant impact during his tenure with the Hokies, leading them to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including a remarkable journey to the Final Four, and securing 180 victories over eight seasons in Blacksburg. He steps into the shoes of Kyra Elzy, who departed from her position earlier this month after four years in charge.
Under Brooks’ leadership, the Hokies transformed into a powerhouse, clinching their first ACC tournament title in 2023 and following it up with their first ACC regular-season championship in 2024. His time in Blacksburg was marked by an impressive 180-82 overall record, highlighted by a school-record 31 wins in the 2022-23 season that saw the team make its historic Final Four appearance.
Brooks consistently delivered results, achieving at least 20 wins in seven of his eight seasons and guiding the team to the NCAA tournament for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024. His exceptional coaching in 2023 earned him a spot as a finalist for the Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year, a testament to his ability to achieve numerous program firsts, including Tech’s first 30-win season.
Virginia Tech’s director of athletics, Whit Babcock, praised Brooks for his role in revitalizing the women’s basketball program, highlighting his creation of a culture of excellence both on and off the court. Babcock commended Brooks for being an incredible mentor and a distinguished representative of the department and university, wishing him well in his new chapter at Kentucky.
Before joining the Hokies, Brooks had a successful 14-season stint at James Madison University, where he became the winningest coach in the school’s history with a 337-122 (.756) record. His tenure at James Madison was marked by 11 consecutive postseason appearances, including six NCAA bids and five WNIT appearances.
A 1992 graduate of James Madison, Brooks played under the legendary coach Lefty Driesell, making two NIT appearances and earning a degree in business management. He began his coaching career as a part-time assistant for the JMU men’s team in 1993-94, a team that won the CAA Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. After four seasons with the men’s program at VMI, Brooks returned to his alma mater as a men’s assistant before taking on the role of interim women’s head coach in December 2002 and later becoming the full-time head coach in March 2003.
Brooks, along with his wife Chrissy Stewart, is a proud parent to four children: Kendyl, Chloe, Gabby, and Nicholas. This article will continue to be updated with the latest developments in Brooks’ coaching career.