After successfully building a mid-major program that commanded respect from Power Five teams nationwide, Kenny Brooks left his position to become the head coach of Virginia Tech women’s basketball.
Ahead of the Final Four this week, Kim Mulkey, LSU head coach and Hall of Famer, restated her remarks regarding Brooks.
Mulkey praised Kenny’s coaching skills and his remarkable contributions at James Madison, stating that nobody was willing to compete against him due to his exceptional abilities as a coach.
After leading JMU to 11 consecutive postseason appearances, Brooks, a native of Waynesboro, Virginia, continued his successful streak at Virginia Tech. During his seven-year tenure with the program, the Hokies have made it to the postseason six times, with the only exception being the year when COVID-19 forced the cancellation of postseason tournaments.
The team had not qualified for the March Madness tournament in 15 years until he joined Virginia Tech. Presently, the Hokies are on the verge of securing their inaugural national championship.
Virginia Tech history-making season so far
With the program’s debut at the Final Four, the Hokies boast an impressive record of 31-4, surpassing their previous record of 28 wins and establishing a new milestone in program history.
In addition to making it to the Elite Eight and Final Four for the first time this season, the team was also ecstatic to secure their inaugural No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The team’s performance in March Madness confirms that their seeding was accurate. The Hokies will now face LSU and Mulkey, a renowned coach who has secured three national championships at Baylor and is making her fifth appearance in the semifinals.
Five-star players lead to blue chip results
According to Mulkey, Brooks has now gained the ability to attract top-tier players, specifically five-star athletes. She believes that four players, who have significantly contributed to the program’s recognition on a national level, are responsible for this achievement.
The foundation comprises Elizabeth Kitley, Georgia Amoore, Taylor Geiman, and Cayla King.
Brooks expressed that the players had truly revolutionized the program’s culture, and the progress made since then has been remarkable. Witnessing the fruits of their labor is an indescribable feeling for Brooks, who fully understands the immense dedication they have put into their work.
Kitley, the team’s top scorer, averages 18.2 points per game. Amoore, a junior guard hailing from Australia, achieved the program’s inaugural triple-double in December and maintains an average of 16.3 points per game. Geiman may not reach double figures in scoring, but her leadership is invaluable to the team. King contributes 8.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
DIII Christopher Newport hopes for double championship
Bill Broderick, the undefeated head coach of Christopher Newport University’s Division-III team (31-0), has a close friendship with Brooks. Currently, both are in Dallas, as the team is set to compete against Transylvania University for the D3 championship on Saturday at noon ET. Excitingly, the game will be broadcasted on the CBS Sports Network.
Virginia sports fans have an exciting weekend ahead as they can enjoy watching two top-notch women’s basketball games featuring home-state teams on TV. It’s worth mentioning that the Christopher Newport men’s team already secured the national title earlier this month.
On Friday at 7 p.m. ET, the Hokies are set to take on No. 3 LSU. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN, allowing fans to watch the excitement unfold. Additionally, fans in Virginia can tune in to the VT Sports Network to catch the game’s live audio coverage.
LSU is favored by 1.5 points in Friday’s game, and although Virginia sports betting users are unable to place bets, the significance of the match lies in the opportunity to secure a spot in the national championship game.
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