Kenny Brooks’ impact on the University of Kentucky women’s basketball program has been nothing short of remarkable. In his first season at the helm, Brooks has guided the Wildcats to their most dramatic year-to-year turnaround in program history, earning him a spot as a Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Semifinalist. The Atlanta Tipoff Club made the announcement Thursday, solidifying Brooks’ incredible first-year success.
Brooks is one of just 10 head coaches named a semifinalist, with four of those hailing from the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. The list will be trimmed to five finalists on March 18, with the ultimate winner being revealed on April 2.
Geno Auriemma
Kenny Brooks
Mark Campbell
Cori Close
Lindsay Gottlieb
Niele Ivey
Wes Moore
Shea Ralph
Vic Schaefer
Dawn Staley
The numbers speak for themselves. Kentucky boasts a 22-7 overall record with at least one more game remaining on the schedule. The Wildcats went 11-5 in the SEC and an impressive 14-2 at Historic Memorial Coliseum. After being projected to finish eighth in the preseason conference standings, Brooks led Kentucky to a No. 4 seed and a double bye in the SEC Tournament — their first time achieving that milestone in five seasons.
This season also marks Kentucky’s first 20-plus win campaign in half a decade, further cementing Brooks’ immediate success. For Brooks, however, this type of success is nothing new. It’s his 19th 20-plus win season in his 23 years as a head coach.
Brooks’ rapid success with the Wildcats has made him a respected name in women’s college basketball, and his nomination for the Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Award is a testament to his outstanding leadership.
As the Wildcats prepare for their upcoming games, fans will be eager to see if Brooks can continue this magical season and bring home one of the most prestigious awards in college basketball coaching.