Lamar hires former Cardinal star Alvin Brooks as new head coach
Alvin Brooks has been hired as the new head men’s basketball coach at Lamar, the school announced Thursday. Brooks was an All-Southland performer for the Cardinals in 1981 and has been coaching at the collegiate level for forty years.
“Today is a very special day for the LU men’s basketball program,” said AD Marco Born. “The name Alvin Brooks is synonymous with success on the basketball court both as a coach and player. He has left a paper trail of success throughout his career. It is rare that you have the opportunity to hire a coach with as much experience – as both a head coach and an assistant – as Coach Brooks, one who has recruiting ties to the state of Texas and the Western Athletic Conference, and one who is already a member of your Hall of Honor. We were able to get all of that with the hiring of Alvin Brooks. He is the right man to guide this program into the WAC.”
Brooks initially started his coaching career as an assistant under Pat Foster, then followed Foster to Houston where he was eventually elevated to head coach. He was 54-84 in five seasons at the helm and has been an assistant coach at the D-I level since 1999. Worked at a number of schools, including stints at Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Kentucky, before returning to Houston in 2010 to join James Dickey‘s staff.
Now a member of Kelvin Sampson‘s staff, Brooks and the Cougars are one of four remaining teams in this year’s NCAA Tournament. On Saturday night they face Baylor – who’s coaching staff features Brooks’ son Alvin III – for a chance to play for a national championship. UH is back in the Final Four for the first time since 1984, have been to three-straight NCAA Tournaments and won two of the last three AAC titles.
“I am excited to be coming home to my alma mater, Lamar University!” said Brooks. “The Beaumont and Golden Triangle communities have always held a special place in my heart, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting. The timing could not have been better. Director of Athletics Marco is leading Lamar basketball into a new and exciting era. By joining the WAC, we have an opportunity to elevate our program to new levels. I look forward to working with him to return the Cardinals to its tradition-rich days of chasing championships. I cannot thank Marco Born enough for the opportunity to give back to my school, what it has given to me, and to be a part of this new era.”
Lamar parted ways with former head coach Tic Price last month after seven seasons without any NCAA or NIT berths. The program is one of four moving from the Southland to the WAC, starting with the upcoming 2021-22 season.
credit to Lamar Athletics for the image
