Brooks, who led the Hokies to 180 wins and a Final Four appearance in the 2023 season, believes that Kentucky has the potential to become a "sleeping giant" in women's basketball.

In a statement, Brooks expressed his excitement about joining the Kentucky Wildcats and recognized the academic excellence and passionate fan base that the university possesses. He also acknowledged the resources available at Kentucky, which would enable the team to compete at the highest level in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). Brooks sees this as an opportunity to "create something very, very special" and awaken the potential of the program.

According to The Athletic, Brooks has signed a five-year contract with Kentucky, starting with a salary of $1.3 million in the first year. His salary will increase incrementally in subsequent years, reaching $1.8 million in the fifth and final year of the contract. This represents a significant increase from his previous contract with Virginia Tech, where he was set to earn $975,000 in the second year and $1.2 million in the final year.

Despite his contentment at Virginia Tech, where he developed a successful program and created a buzz around women's basketball, Brooks acknowledges the allure of Kentucky's basketball legacy and the opportunity to join a program with a rich history. He now aims to build on the brand of Kentucky basketball to attract high-level recruits and continue the team's success.

Brooks replaces Kyra Elzy as the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats women's basketball team. Elzy was fired on March 11, and Brooks is eager to take on the challenge of leading a team in the SEC, which is regarded as one of the strongest women's basketball conferences. With powerhouses such as South Carolina and LSU, and the upcoming addition of Oklahoma and Texas, Brooks recognizes the competitive landscape in the conference.

One of the factors that influenced Brooks' decision to join Kentucky was the ongoing $82 million renovation of Memorial Coliseum, the home arena for the women's basketball, women's gymnastics, and women's volleyball teams. The renovation is expected to be completed in time for the fall season and will provide state-of-the-art facilities, which Brooks considers essential in the pursuit of recruiting top-tier talent.

In his new role, Brooks plans to capitalize on the growing opportunities presented by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for student-athletes. He understands that being competitive in the best conference in the country requires ensuring that his program can provide competitive NIL opportunities for athletes.

Brooks has wasted no time in seeking guidance from the successful men's basketball coach at Kentucky, John Calipari. He views Calipari as a valuable resource and plans to learn from his experience and knowledge of Kentucky basketball.

As Brooks embarks on this new chapter, he will be joined by his family, including his wife, their youngest daughter Gabrielle, who redshirted as a freshman on the Virginia Tech team this season, their middle daughter Chloe, who is a former Virginia Tech women's basketball player, Chloe's fiancé Hunter Cattoor, and their granddaughter.

With high hopes, a promising contract, and a strong support system, Brooks is ready to take on the challenge of leading the Kentucky Wildcats women's basketball team to new heights, utilizing the rich basketball history and resources at his disposal.