Bulldog alumnus Darrell Brooks enters his 16th season as head coach of the Bowie State University men’s basketball program. The 69-year-old Brooklyn native is a two-time graduate of the University, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Communications in 1979 and his Master’s in Organizational Communications in 2019, as well as being a two-year letterwinner for the Bulldogs at point guard.
During his tenure, Coach Brooks has guided the Bulldogs to an overall record of 259-233 (140-108 CIAA), capturing five Northern Division Championships along with CIAA Tournament Championships in 2013 and 2017. Bowie State has made three NCAA Regional Tournament appearances under Brooks, advancing to the 2011 Regional Semifinals. He has been named Bowie State Male Coach of the Year four times (2010–2011, 2011–2012, 2012–2013, 2014–2015) and was honored as CIAA Coach of the Year in 2014–2015. Brooks became the program’s all-time winningest head coach in January 2022 after earning his 200th career victory.
In 2024–25, Brooks led the Bulldogs to a 16–14 overall record and 8–10 mark in CIAA play, highlighted by standout performances from Amare Wimbush, who earned All-CIAA Team honors and was selected to the Division II HBCU All-American Team, and Elijah Davis, who was named to the CIAA All-Tournament Team. The Bulldogs continued to build momentum throughout the season, showcasing a competitive spirit that has become a hallmark of Brooks’ program.
Before returning to his alma mater, Brooks built a strong reputation as an assistant coach at George Washington University for eight years, helping lead the Colonials to four straight postseason appearances, including three consecutive NCAA Tournaments. During his tenure, GW captured two Atlantic 10 Tournament Championships and went 16-0 in conference play in 2006, finishing the season ranked as high as No. 6 nationally.
Prior to his time at GW, Brooks served as head coach at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) in 2000–01, where his team ranked among the top three in the Centennial Conference in scoring, assists, three-pointers, and steals. His extensive assistant coaching résumé includes stops at Loyola University, George Mason University, American University, William & Mary, Central State University, and Bowie State University. Brooks also directed Camp Austral in Maliano, Spain (1991–1995).
Coach Brooks is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC), the Black Coaches Association (BCA), and serves as President of the CIAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association. He is also an active member of The Mighty Men of Reid Temple Choir and the gospel group Spiritual Minds.
Darrell and his wife, Sandra, reside in Randallstown, Md. They have two children: Kiana, who has three children Aaliyah, Alexis, and Devin, and D.J., a graduate of Morehouse College, who, along with his wife Danielle, are the parents of Adrielle.
