Kentucky Women's Basketball - LIVE BREATHE BLUE - Coach Cool: How Mom Shaped Kenny Brooks’ #FamilyStrong Philosophy

If you’ve ever watched Kenny Brooks coach from the sidelines, you know he’s the picture of unflappable calm—a stark contrast to the chaos often unfolding on the court. The Kentucky Women’s Basketball head coach is the epitome of grace under pressure. He’s calm, cool, and collected, no matter the score or circumstances.

The most recent example came during the third quarter of Kentucky’s 80 – 61 victory over Auburn. The visitors had bullied their way to within a scary six points of what was a rather comfortable 16-point Wildcat lead. The crowd murmured uneasily. Those of us watching from press row collectively held our breath, silently pleading for a much-needed timeout.

A quick glance over to Kentucky’s bench revealed no panic whatsoever. There sat Coach Cool, comfortably ensconced on his usual stool by the scorer’s table, arms folded, as if he had nary a care in the world. 

Not only was there no timeout, but there was no visible evidence of concern, either. No loud yelling, no wild gesticulations, and no signs of despair. After all, he knew his team well. His two-headed experienced backcourt of Georgia Amoore and Dazia Lawrence quickly took control, righted the ship, and within a three-minute span, had pushed the lead back out to an insurmountable 16 points again. Game over. 

Coach Brooks’ unshakeable composure wasn’t born on the hardwood, but nurtured long ago, thanks to the steadfast presence of his mother. His mom, Darlene Brooks, was at Memorial Coliseum for the first time watching her son at the Wildcat helm, and Kenny was quick to heap on the accolades and the praise.

“My demeanor is because of her,” Brooks readily acknowledged when asked how he stays so calm. “She did a tremendous job of raising me and my brother and my sister. She worked a couple of jobs so that I could play on the AAU team or so that I could have the same shoes that somebody else had. So now she gets to come here and reap some of the benefits.”

All of BBN is now reaping the benefits of a team that is 15 – 1 (4 – 0 in the SEC) and off to one of its best starts in over a decade. But it’s not just the athletic talent assembled on the court that has the fans buzzing. Coach Brooks has his team playing together, firing on all cylinders like a well-oiled machine. That type of cohesiveness doesn’t just happen magically overnight. It takes intentional time and effort and a philosophical approach that involves more than just diagramming Xs and Os.

“Everything I’ve ever done is all about family,” Brooks explained. “Whether it’s my team, my kids, my biological kids, or incorporating my whole family into what we do. Because there are so many people who have sacrificed and allowed me to do what I wanted to do. Coming from a small town in Waynesboro, Virginia, there weren’t a whole lot of people doing the things that I’m doing now. A lot of encouragement from people back home. It means a lot to me.” 

This #FamilyStrong mentality isn’t just a catchy hashtag or a feel-good slogan—it’s the cornerstone of everything Coach Brooks builds his program upon. You see it in the way his players support each other on the court: the extra pass to find the open shooter, the immediate help when someone hits the floor, the shared celebrations after a big play, and the way they credit each other after a hard-fought win.

Off the court, it’s even more evident. The Wildcats have made team bonding activities a regular tradition, creating an environment where every player feels valued and heard. It’s no wonder they play with such unselfishness and joy—it all starts with a coach who treats them like his own kids.

It’s a philosophy that transcends basketball. Just like his mother taught him, Coach Brooks instills in his players the importance of resilience, selflessness, and gratitude. In turn, Big Blue Nation is witnessing not just a team that wins games but one that embodies the spirit of unity, support, and love. 

That’s a direct reflection of Coach Brooks—and his mom. We’re now all the lucky recipients of their cherished relationship.  

“She’s going to love Lexington because the way Big Blue Nation embraces the program—anything UK athletics—she’s going to love it,” Coach Brooks gushed. “I think she’s going to stay.”

Welcome to Lexington, Mom. We know you’ll love it here.

Dr. John Huang is a retired orthodontist, military veteran, and award-winning author. Currently serving as a columnist for Nolan Group Media, he invites readers to follow him on social media @KYHuangs. Explore his debut novel— “Name, Image, and Murder”—and all his books at https://www.Amazon.com/stores/Dr.-John-Huang/author/B092RKJBRD