I'm just gonna lay this link here and walk away.
Link:
KY coach Kenny Brooks
63 Replies
1y
I’m going to guess Kenny talked to every player or offered to and basically ran every one of them off. Even Ramiya had an LOI with Kentucky, which meant Kenny could not run her off, the agreement is with the school. (The NCAA is considering getting rid of LOIs since they don’t make sense in this current portal Climate)
I’m surprised, Rowe even got 10 minutes per game. I bet that wasn’t during critical games I like her she’s a kitty, good luck to her.
(In response to this post by saret)
1y
If he doesn't win he is gone. Cassidy Rowe is just another 'tough conversation'. They happen at every school in every sport including VT. Just the business of college sports. Another kid used up and cast aside.
(In response to this post by saret)
1y
It's not like Brooks needs that roster spot to help push UK over the top. The max rotation he will ever have, and this may be stretching things a little, is 8. On top of that, is his last daughter still taking up a roster spot?
(In response to this post by mmoses7293)
1y
There is an entire off-season for it to fester, but if he wins... they will forget.
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
1y
So, ouch. Bad look.
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
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2hhoop3
1y
that doesn't need to be made tougher with self inflicted wounds. He has had some of those in the last year. The honeymoon period is likely over and winning is the most likely best help for him. Otherwise, the next 12 months may be harder than the last 12.
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
1y
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
1y
started ahead of Shepard. KB probably had his daughter's scholie written into his contract.
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
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Va AandM
1y
Seems like Coach doesn’t know his Emotional Quotient or had to take a Briggs-Myers evaluation. Not the be all, end all, but these would show him his blind spots. As a basic research manager and them exec in industry, had to do them a few times. Annoying pill to swallow but in the end helps me. Point being the cold and analytical choice may work but may alienate human beings. There are ways to smooth things out. Real issue with researcher types. Thinking it is with KB who took anger at Babcock and admin (? just guessing) out on Hokie Nation with turning back and walking away and now crushing a beloved Wildcat who represents continuity of the program and who was selfless.
Cassidy’s farewell X post doesn’t attack anyone and shows her love for her school. High EQ from her and something this board wanted from KB and GA.
** Edited by Va AandM at 3/31/2025, 7:06:28 AM
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
1y
There obviously isn't one from Kenny...but that shouldn't negate that Georgia did the right thing.
(In response to this post by Va AandM)
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Va AandM
1y
(In response to this post by I love VT!)
Kenny had a good thing going at Tech...
but he wanted another challenge. Kentucky had the SEC cash and UK resources. I don't feel sorry for Kenny. He knew that more pressure came with his new job. The UK fanbase will not be as patient as Tech's and will have higher expectations. Kenny set the bar high at UK when he as named their new head coach. Like most coaches, Kenny is a politician and BSer. He says things that the fans and donors want to hear. A week before taking the UK job, Kenny said that the ACC was the best women's basketball conference in the land. During his UK introduction, he said the SEC was the best women's basketball conference. The Cassidy Rowe article shouldn't surprise anyone who has been familiar with Kenny Brooks.
(In response to this post by saret)
1y
been a challenge at VT. If this team finished .500 in the ACC without Strack and Amoore, imagine what it would have done with them. I don't think Amoore would have slowed down Wenzel's playing time. It would have affected Nelson/White/Wenzel in terms of squeezing time in behind Ekh/Baker. And Micheaux might have transferred out.... but if nothing changed... this is a top 2 team in the ACC. He likely could have stayed at the top and made a serious push for a Sweet 16/Final 4 spot
(In response to this post by Old Line Hokie)
1y
Running off a fan favorite who bleeds UK blue is a piss poor public relations move. Add in a potential down season for 2025/2026 without his field general…the natives will have pitchforks and torches out.
I am sooooooo glad he is gone and someone else’s problem. There are some things you just don’t do.
(In response to this post by saret)
1y
(In response to this post by GSOHokie01)
1y
(In response to this post by saret)
1y
To me, it's just a brain dead move.
(In response to this post by mrknowitall)
1y
…The Hunt for Red October.
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
And some of his own words on the young lady, from Benedict Brooks himself
Link:
In a word…predictable
(In response to this post by saret)
1y
Kentucky WBB put out a post after the season about how BBN was "unmatched"... which...whatever. Glad to see he's learned that thanking fans is good manners...but get back to us when you have a fanbase that actually shows up and sells out your tiny arena for a consistently ranked team even when you serve as a NCAA host site. Didn't have to beg for people to buy those NCAA tickets in Blacksburg.
However, here's hoping their response to this decision continues to be "unmatched". He deserves it.
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
1y
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
1y
Specifically, the group text that he keeps with his favorites.
There was a UK media outlet that called Clara Silva's entry into the portal "shocking." Not to Hokie fans who know the pattern.
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
1y
blame her. And while I don't think she handled it well (especially with regards to the LSU Final Four game) it's pretty clear that there was more going on than the average fan realized. Obviously every coach will have favorite players but Brooks over reliance on 5-6 players is one of the reasons I don't think he'll be able to consistently compete in the SEC. You need depth and for whatever reason it seems like he doesn't believe in that.
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
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RJHokie
1y
clear after Brooks left. He did the same to Rose, and I’ve heard he actually blamed Ekh for Liz’s injury. He will probably be a short-term coach in the SEC.
(In response to this post by AbsolutVT03)
1y
Plus maybe they weren't in his group chat.
Feel bad for Owusu but to be honest, I was blaming her for the situation until I heard about the other things going on.
(In response to this post by AbsolutVT03)
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RJHokie
1y
Good recruiter, half-ass game coach.
(In response to this post by saret)
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Hokie PE
1y
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
I have to wonder how long it will take before his antics catch up with him
on the recruiting trail. Eventually people will see the pattern of him shunning players on his roster that don't make it into the group chat - question is, will HS and portal players be smart enough to stay away from him?
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
1y
(In response to this post by UpstateSCHokie)
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2hhoop3
1y
to watch the UK situation and reflect on the prior years at VT with the benefit of hindsight. It creates an entirely different perspective on some things and is causing me to reexamine some of my former beliefs and opinions.
(In response to this post by UpstateSCHokie)
1y
...don't forget there's a reason Ashley was Ashley...and Rose is Rose.
Despite my feelings about KB, it takes two.
(In response to this post by `lag)
1y
I can't really absolve Owusu from a public perception, but at the same time...Brooks is just an ___
(In response to this post by `lag)
1y
I wondered why Brooks got her in the first place, he's got an MO of smart, "quiet" players, was not in the business of doing projects which O was, bringing her problems from MD along. That was not a good situation, a coach who picks his few and a player who absolutely expected to be the #1 option. Why did she come to VT then, did she really think she'd supplant Kitley somehow? Did Kenny somehow think he could mesh GA, Kitley and Owasu?
Penn State was perfect for her, they had nothing going on, no problem letting her being the diva and getting her 20 points a game for the rest of the season.
But yeah, the whole point of this thread was to go back over the relationship here and not blame it all on O.
** Edited by `lag at 3/31/2025, 4:06:22 PM
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
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Va AandM
1y
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
1y
scenario of good guy, bad guy, by just who the person actually is in reality. Not actually calling the former coach a bad guy, but the undercurrent of a person's total personality is often not really known, or overlooked, by the persons living a bit vicariously from that person's achievements. Again, count me in that group!!
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
1y
conferences before or after games where he comes across as reflective, LOVES the players and ___-nation (fill in the blank) and comes across as developing players with 1-on-1 workouts that some paint as unheard-of for a head coach...
That is all what gets flashed publicly.....
And only playing 7-8 players is normal, so even then even though we criticize him for not playing the bench, most coaches don't against good teams. And we clearly see star players on other teams continue to play when up 40.
So it is really about what a coach is like behind the scenes that we don't about until something comes out.
** Edited by VAHokie89 at 3/31/2025, 1:16:51 PM
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
1y
The soap box was commendable but he was speaking to an audience. Maybe not Buzz but QVC?
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
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RJHokie
1y
He’s in a cut throat conference now. It shouldn’t take too long. Next year will show if he’s the real deal or a fraud when it comes to game day coaching.
(In response to this post by UpstateSCHokie)
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j9hokie
1y
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
1y
are not going anywhere in terms of status. Tennessee seems to be on the rise again even if they faltered toward the end in conference play. I have a feeling that other teams like Oklahoma, Alabama, etc will surpass his program soon, even with some decent recruits or portal players.
(In response to this post by j9hokie)
Next season will be quite interesting for KB. He no longer has his floor
general in GA. And even when he did this year, they made an early tournament exit. If he can't field a squad at least as good as this year's KY team, then I could see the natives get restless.
** Edited by UpstateSCHokie at 3/30/2025, 3:34:06 PM
(In response to this post by VTSweaterMan)
1y
It's unlikely, in my opinion, that the roster next year is as good as this year's.
(In response to this post by UpstateSCHokie)
1y
transfer in.
And these are kids with college already under their belts. So they know what to look for. And what to stay away from.
They’re not naive high school kids.
You better believe his portal choices will be affected by this.
** Edited by Stork at 3/30/2025, 4:44:23 PM
(In response to this post by crazylane)
1y
I agree with you, but too many players that we might think should not go to a place, will go to a place.
(In response to this post by Stork)
1y
So yeah, he wanted a shot at the big time and he’s got it.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)