(BOWIE, Md.) Bulldog alumnus Darrell Brooks returns home to become the new head coach of the Bowie State University men's basketball program. The 53 year-old Brooklyn native is a 1979 graduate of the University where he played point guard for the Bulldogs from 1975-79.

Brooks described the new position as "a tremendous honor . . . The fact Bowie State is my alma mater makes it that much more special. My family and I are very honored and look forward to the challenge."

"We are excited to have Darrell Brooks as Bowie State's new head coach of our men's basketball team and we look forward to his leadership and to generating a new level of success among the team members," said Mickey L. Burnim, president of Bowie State University.

Arlene Creek, interim director of athletics, said, "Darrell Brooks is more than a welcome addition to our sports program at Bowie State. We are proud that he is a product of our own athletic program. He brings talent, experience and determination."

At George Washington, Brooks gained a respected reputation as a detail-oriented coach for eight years. Prior to his stint at George Washington, Brooks spent the 2000-2001 season as the head coach at Western Maryland College (WMC). Under Brooks, WMC ranked among the top three teams in the Centennial Conference in scoring, assists, three-pointers made and steals. Brooks spent 16 years as an assistant coach at six different schools including Loyola University, George Mason University (1993-97), American University (1990-93), The College of William & Mary (1988-90), Central State University (1985-88) and Bowie State (1984-85). Brooks also directed his own basketball camp, Camp Austral in Maliano, Spain (1991-1995). 

Darrell and his wife, Sandra, reside in Randallstown, Md. His daughter, Kiana, has two children, Aalyiah, 14 and Alexis, 12. His son, D.J., 24, is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.