The Utah State women’s basketball team is preparing for a new beginning with the announcement of Ohio State assistant coach, Wesley Brooks as the program’s new head coach. After facing challenges over the past five years, Brooks will now lead the Aggies into a new era.
USU Athletic Director Diana Sabau expressed her confidence in Brooks, stating, “Wesley is an exceptional developer of individuals, not only as high-performing student-athletes, All-Americans and professionals, but as young women in society. Under his leadership, we eagerly anticipate the advancement of women’s basketball at Utah State University.”
With two decades of coaching experience, Brooks has a wealth of knowledge from serving as an assistant coach at prestigious institutions, including West Virginia, Michigan, and most recently, Ohio State. His extensive background makes him well-prepared to step into his new role at Utah State.
“I am grateful and honoured that Diana and President (Elizabeth) Cantwell have given me the opportunity to lead the Utah State women’s basketball program,” shared Brooks. “Our objective is to win championships. Yohanna, Elsa, and I are looking forward to settling into the Logan community.”
During his time at Ohio State and Michigan, Brooks achieved remarkable success as his teams consistently achieved 20 or more wins in a season. His exceptional coaching abilities were further validated by the numerous accolades received by his student-athletes, including All-Big Ten selections and All-American honours.
Former West Virginia head coach John Beilein commended Brooks, stating, “Wherever Wes Brooks coaches, they win. He is a great teacher, recruiter and worker, and is very prepared for this opportunity. His student-athletes will love him, and I look forward to following the Aggies and their future success.”
In recent years, the Utah State women’s basketball team has faced significant challenges, marked by a series of coaching changes and disappointing statistics on the court. Under the leadership of former head coach Kayla Ard, the team struggled to find its footing. However, with the appointment of Brooks, the program is poised for a transformation.
Looking ahead, Brooks will need to address the team’s historical struggles within the Mountain West conference. Utah State has faced difficulties in establishing a winning conference record, with just one season of success since joining the conference. Despite this history, Brooks is determined to guide the program towards victory and compete at the highest level.
As the Aggies embark on this new chapter with Wesley Brooks leading the way, there is an air of optimism surrounding the future of Utah State women’s basketball. With his proven track record and strong coaching philosophy, Brooks is well-positioned to lead the team to new heights, bringing a renewed sense of pride to Aggie nation.