Episode 199: Jacey Brooks, Women's Head Coach, Northern Illinois University

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we are joined by Jacey Brooks, the Head Women’s Basketball Coach of Northern Illinois University. Coach Brooks has built an impressive coaching résumé, starting as an assistant at St. Bonaventure, where she helped guide the program to multiple postseason appearances, including an NCAA Sweet 16 run. She later served as an assistant coach at Canisius College, Bowling Green, University of Buffalo before taking the helm as head coach at NIU. Before NIU she did have prior head coaching experience at State University of New York College at Cortland. Coach Brooks is known for her ability to develop players and build strong team culture, Brooks has created a reputation as a program builder and leader who emphasizes growth on and off the court. In this episode, we discuss the first 90 days stepping into a Division I head coaching role, how to instill confidence in your players as a head coach, and unique preseason team-building exercises to help strengthen team camaraderie.