As the Virginia Tech women's basketball team was getting ready to host an NCAA Regional two years ago, rumors began swirling that he was having discussions to take the Kentucky job. The rumors were too loud to ignore, and of course, in normal coach speak, he gave general answers to any questions he faced.
After the Hokies were bounced in the second round at home by Baylor, Brooks quickly packed everything up and headed to Lexington to become the next head coach of the Wildcats. He took some players with him, and Virginia Tech AD Whit Babcock moved on to Marquette's Megan Duffy.
On Saturday, a week after Virginia completed its run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, the school fired head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton after an investigation. It was a stunning move and not one you see after a tournament run like the one the Cavaliers had.
Virginia said that they are going to begin a national search for the next coach in Charlottesville. One name that keeps popping up is Brooks, in what would be a made for TV move.
Former Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks' name swirling around Virginia opening
Accoridng to Phoenix Stevens of On3 and a Kentucky beat reporter, there is some smoke around Brooks and Virginia. Just how much smoke there is remains to be seen, but would it surprise anyone if he jumped ship in Kentucky after just two seasons?
It wouldn't surprise Virginia Tech fans. A Virginia native, Brooks bolting for UVA would be something. According to Stevens, Kentucky won't let him leave because of the money in terms of NIL spending and other areas. It would be because of other factors.
Maybe Brooks got a big wake-up call in the SEC that he didn't see coming. The conference has become a gauntlet with South Carolina, LSU, Texas, and Oklahoma, just to name a few. Vanderbilt is also on the rise. This past season, Kentucky was seeded ninth in the SEC Tournament last month. Not something Brooks envisioned when he landed in Lexington.
If this move were to happen, and never count out Brooks to do something like that, it would add more spice to the Commonwealth Clash. Buckle up.