Ohio State women’s basketball assistant coach Wesley Brooks is moving up the coaching ranks, as he was named the next women’s basketball coach at Utah State on Monday ahead of his formal introduction on Tuesday.
“Wesley is a great developer of people, not only as high-performing student-athletes, All-Americans and professionals, but as young women in society,” said athletic director Diana Sabau, a former senior deputy athletic director under Gene Smith at Ohio State. “Under his leadership, we look forward to advancing the trajectory of women’s basketball at Utah State University.”
Brooks has been an assistant coach for the last three seasons under Kevin McGuff, helping lead the Buckeyes to three NCAA Tournament appearances and the program’s first Elite Eight appearance since 1993. He has been involved with coaching former and expected WNBA draft picks such as Taylor Mikesell and Jacy Sheldon.
“I’m extremely excited for Wes and his family,” McGuff said in a statement. “He is a high-character person who will make a positive impact on the student-athletes at Utah State. His high-energy approach will have the Aggies competing for Mountain West championships in the near future.”
“He shows up every single day and gives 100 percent of himself to whoever he is surrounded by,” Sheldon added. “He’s got great energy and I’m excited to see his impact on Utah State.”
Prior to his time with the Buckeyes, Brooks had stints as an assistant coach at Michigan, Utah, North Texas, Texas Southern and Robert Morris, with his coaching career dating back to 2005.
He takes over a Utah State program that has just two winning seasons in the last 10 years and has never made the NCAA Tournament. Former head coach Kayla Ard was fired in early March after her fourth season, and finished with a 24-90 record.
“I am thankful and honored that Diana Sabau and President (Elizabeth) Cantwell have given me the opportunity to lead the Utah State women’s basketball program,” Brooks in a statement. “I am excited and look forward to establishing a program that Aggie nation can be proud of. Our goal is to win championships. Yohanna, Elsa and I look forward to settling into the Logan community.”
