Queens coach Jen Brown, left, says UK coach Kenny Brooks is a "father figure" to her. (Vicky Graff Photo)
She has known Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks since she was 17 years old because he was recruiting her then to play for him at James Madison University. Jen Brown didn’t say yes then but once Brooks was promoted from assistant to head coach, she transferred from Pittsburgh to play for him.
Later she coached under him at James Madison and then Virginia Tech. But Tuesday night Brown was coaching against her former coach/boss when she brought Queens to Lexington to play against Kentucky.
Even though Kentucky scored only 11 points in the fourth period, it still won 87-45 in a game that was no contest.
“When you coach as long as I have, you’ll have nights like this where it’s exciting. It was fun going against Jen Brown – my former player, my former assistant coach at James Madison and Virginia Tech. It was fun to watch, and be across from her,” Brooks said after the game.
“There were a couple of moments when I looked down and she was screaming out offenses and they were some of our offenses – so it means that she was listening. Very proud of her, what she’s been able to do, the transition, it’s always tough when you’re transitioning from Division II to Division I but she’s doing a good job with that program.
“She had another assistant on her staff, Toya Jenkins, who was a player of mine at James Madison, so it was cool. Really really good night.”
Brown said her former coach/mentor was doing a “phenomenal job” in his first season at Kentucky and did her a “favor” by adding this game to the schedule.
“He is a mentor to me. He is like a dad to me,” the Queens coach said. “I needed a game and like a dad he came to the rescue like he always does.”
Brown did say there was one big difference in Brooks now compared to when she played for him.
“He is way nicer now. Who is this nice grey-haired man?” Brown said after the game. “He is a player’s coach. Whether you play a small role or big role, when you left (school) you were ready for the real world.
“He prepared you for the real world. He helped pave the way for me. Knowing I have somebody I can call when I need anything, and his wife. They are family for me.”
Brooks did admit he had “gone soft” in recent years out of necessity.
“There is stuff you used to do you can’t do any more. iIt is different now,” the Kentucky coach said. “It’s even different from when I was an assistant coach. It’s not that these kids are soft. It is a different time and you have got to reach kids in a different way.”
