What to know about new Kentucky women’s basketball coach Kenny Brooks
Here is what you need to know about new Kentucky women’s basketball coach Kenny Brooks.
Full name: Kenneth R. Brooks Jr.
Age: 55
Born: Dec. 20, 1986, in Waynesboro, Virginia
High school: Waynesboro High School (1987)
College: Brooks was a four-year letter winner for James Madison, playing for Hall of Fame coach Lefty Driesell. He was twice named a team captain, finishing his career with 606 points, 216 assists and 128 rebounds in 107 games.
Family: Wife, Chrissy; daughters, Kendyl, Chloe and Gabby; son, Nicholas.
Coaching chronology
1994-98: VMI, men’s assistant coach
1998-2002: James Madison, men’s assistant coach
2002-03: James Madison, women’s assistant coach
2003-16: James Madison, head coach
2016-24: Virginia Tech, head coach
Coaching record
2002-03: James Madison 16-10
2003-04: James Madison 13-18
2004-05: James Madison 18-11
2005-06: James Madison 24-7
2006-07: James Madison 27-6
2007-08: James Madison 24-10
2008-09: James Madison 24-10
2009-10: James Madison 26-7
2010-11: James Madison 26-8
2011-12: James Madison 29-8
2012-13: James Madison 25-11
2013-14: James Madison 29-6
2014-15: James Madison 29-4
2015-16: James Madison 27-6
2016-17: Virginia Tech 20-14
2017-18: Virginia Tech 23-14
2018-19: Virginia Tech 22-12
2019-20: Virginia Tech 21-9
2020-21: Virginia Tech 15-10
2021-22: Virginia Tech 23-10
2022-23: Virginia Tech 31-5
2023-24: Virginia Tech 25-8
Total: 22 seasons 517-204
NCAA Tournament appearances: 10
NCAA Tournament record: 7-10
NCAA Final Fours: One (2023)
NCAA championships: Zero
WNIT appearances: Eight
WNIT record: 20-7
WNIT semifinals: One (2017-18)
WNIT championships: None
Conference championships: Five
Coaching awards
2007: CAA Coach of the Year
2014: CAA Coach of the Year
2015: CAA Coach of the Year
2016: CAA Coach of the Year
By the numbers
18
Kenny Brooks’ number of 20-win seasons in his last 19 seasons as coach. The lone exception was the pandemic-altered 2020-21 season in which his Virginia Tech team finished 15-10 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
3
The number of consecutive wins for Kenny Brooks against Louisville after losing his first seven matchups with the Cardinals at Virginia Tech. Kentucky has lost seven in a row against its archrival.
41
The number of ACC wins for Kenny Brooks in the last three seasons. Virginia Tech was 44-136 in ACC play from 2004 to Brooks’ arrival in 2016.
7
The number of times one of Kenny Brooks players was named conference Player of the Year.
This story was originally published March 26, 2024 at 12:07 PM.