Virginia Tech's Kenny Brooks among candidates for Kentucky WBB head coaching job
Following back-to-back losing seasons, Kentucky women’s basketball is in need of a jolt of energy. A high-profile head coach from the ACC could be the spark needed to bring back the momentum.
According to KSR’s Matt Jones, he’s hearing that UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart is considering 3-4 candidates as the Wildcats’ next head coach. Jones mentioned Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks as a name he can confirm is in the mix and has already interviewed for the position.
Kentucky recently relieved former head coach Kyra Elzy of her duties last week, ending her four-season run in Lexington with a 61-60 overall record and a 23-40 mark in the SEC.
In the wake of Elzy’s firing, UK will now owe her just a hair under $2.5 million after she signed an extension in 2022 that was set to run through 2027. Elzy was scheduled to make $800,000 (including salary and endorsements) next season. After signing a three-year extension with Virginia Tech last July, Brooks is set to make $6.4 million throughout the course of a six-year deal that runs through the 2028-29 season. He’s set to earn $975,000 next season.
Brooks, 55, would, undoubtedly, be a grand slam hire for Barnhart and the Kentucky women’s basketball program. Now in his eighth season as the Virginia Tech head coach, he’s taken the Hokies from a WNIT regular to a team contending for national championships. Virginia Tech made it to the Final Four for the first time in school history last season, falling to eventual champion LSU.
In seven of his eight seasons in charge, Virginia Tech has won at least 20 games. The Hokies are about to embark on a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament run, this time as a four-seed after posting a 24-7 overall record and a 14-4 mark in the ACC. Brooks has coached Elizabeth Kitley, who now holds several school records and is a two-time ACC Player of the Year.
Prior to taking over in Blacksburg, Brooks went 337-121 in 14 seasons at James Madison, including three consecutive NCAA Tournament bids and three straight Colonial Athletic Association championships. James Madison made the Big Dance in five of his final seven seasons with the Dukes.
Brooks and Virginia Tech will open the 2024 NCAA Tournament this Friday at 3:30 p.m. EST against 13-seed Marshall on ESPN2.
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