FSU football legend Derrick Brooks has been named the Chief Operating Officer for USF Athletics, with the Bulls announcing the move on Thursday.
Brooks will serve as a lead community ambassador, work in football and men’s basketball administration, revenue generation, sports tourism strategy, enhancing student-athlete experiences, and Team Tampa Bay/local pro franchise relations, according to the press release announcing the move.
“There is no better time to be a Bull!” Brooks said in a press release. “The University of South Florida has long held a special place in my heart and for my family, most recently as huge supporters of our daughter DaNia and her teammates on the reigning American Conference Tournament champion softball team. I cannot think of a university or an athletics department with brighter futures than ours, and I am ready to get to work and excited to join Rob, his staff, and the tremendous student-athletes and coaches who make USF Athletics a one of one college athletic department. As Rob likes to say: ‘All Gas. No Brakes. No Regrets. No Excuses.’ And I’ll just add: Go Bulls!”
Brooks was a star linebacker at FSU from 1991-94, becoming a three-time All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 as he helped lead them to a national championship. His No. 10 jersey has been retired by the football program.
He was then drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 28 overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft. He played his entire 14-year career with the Bucs and helped lead them to a Super Bowl victory in 2003 before being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2014 and College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
“We have committed to Bulls Nation to build something special here in USF Athletics to best serve our student-athletes, coaches, faculty, alumni and fans,” CEO Rob Higgins said. “Derrick Brooks has been a pillar of Team Tampa Bay for the last 30 years and a leader in the state of Florida his entire life. We have been fortunate to work with Derrick many times over the last two decades, including bringing the Super Bowl to Tampa and hosting that event. We could not be more excited to welcome his passion, energy and expertise at USF Athletics as our new COO. He’s the ultimate role model for our student-athletes.”
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU legend Derrick Brooks named COO of USF Athletics
Reporting by JD McCarthy, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
