Kenny Brooks has made an impressive impact in his first year as coach, earning recognition for his outstanding work.
Kenny Brooks is working hard to win over Big Blue Nation. Not only did his team secure 20+ wins, earn a top 4 seed in the SEC tournament, and have an exceptional season, but he also follows all Kentucky sports closely.
Brooks’ influence on the University of Kentucky women’s basketball program has been extraordinary. In his inaugural season, he led the Wildcats to their most remarkable year-to-year improvement in program history, earning a spot as a semifinalist for the Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year. The Atlanta Tipoff Club made this announcement on Thursday, confirming Brooks’ remarkable success in his first year.
Brooks is one of only 10 coaches selected as semifinalists, with four coming from the powerful Southeastern Conference. The list will be narrowed to five finalists on March 18, and the winner will be announced on April 2.
Geno Auriemma
Kenny Brooks
Mark Campbell
Cori Close
Lindsay Gottlieb
Niele Ivey
Wes Moore
Shea Ralph
Vic Schaefer
Dawn Staley
Kentucky’s performance speaks for itself. The Wildcats have a 22-7 overall record with at least one more game left in the season. They finished 11-5 in the SEC and had a stellar 14-2 record at Historic Memorial Coliseum. Despite being picked to finish eighth in the preseason conference standings, Brooks led Kentucky to a No. 4 seed and a double bye in the SEC Tournament, marking their first time reaching that achievement in five seasons.
This season also marks Kentucky’s first 20-win campaign in five years, further proving Brooks’ immediate success. For Brooks, however, 20-win seasons are familiar territory—this is his 19th in 23 years as a head coach.
Brooks’ swift success with the Wildcats has earned him respect across women’s college basketball, and his nomination for the Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Award highlights his excellent leadership.
As the Wildcats look ahead to their upcoming games, fans will be excited to see if Brooks can continue this remarkable season and secure one of the highest honors in college basketball coaching.