Balling with Brooks: Introducing USU Women’s Basketball team’s new head coach

Editor’s note: This article has been updated as of Nov. 5, at 3:40 p.m. to reflect current information

“We don’t set goals,” said Utah State University women’s basketball head coach Wesley Brooks. “We set process.” According to him, the success of the program relies solely on each player’s contribution to quality practice, quality games and quality basketball.

Starting his first year at the helm, Brooks brings nearly 20 years of experience in coaching, operations and player development. USU President Elizabeth Cantwell said she is “confident in his ability to raise our program.”

Brooks is set to lead the program in a new direction and change the culture of women’s basketball at USU.

“I am thankful and honored that Diana and President Cantwell have given me the opportunity to lead the Utah State women’s basketball program,” Brooks said. “I am excited and look forward to establishing a program that Aggie nation can be proud of.”

Brooks began his coaching career in 2005 as a graduate assistant at West Virginia University. Since then, he has gained experience with programs at Michigan, Utah, North Texas, Texas Southern and Robert Morris universities.

Off the court, Brooks is known as a “family-oriented guy,” according to senior player Samiana Suguturaga. “He’s very personal when you talk to him,” she said.

A win for USU is a win for Brooks, his wife Yohanna, his daughter Elsa, the players and Aggie nation.

“Our goal is to win championships,” Brooks said. “Yohanna, Elsa and I look forward to settling into the Logan community.”

After a few months of acclimating, Brooks coached his first game last week in an exhibition match against Westminster University. The Aggies secured a 94-70 win, a strong start to a long season. 

“We still have a lot to clean up, and we’ll work on that,” Brooks said regarding the season ahead.

His key to progress? Practice and process.

“The only way you play at pace is by practicing at pace,” Brooks said. “One of our goals is to be one of the fastest teams in the country.”

Maintaining high expectations and keeping pace requires attention to the smallest details, a role Brooks embraces with passion.

Former players and coaches have noted Brooks’ enthusiasm for basketball is palpable. 

“He shows up every single day and gives 100 percent of himself to whoever he is surrounded by,” said Jacy Sheldon, a former Ohio State University player. “He’s got great energy, and I’m excited to see his impact on Utah State.”

Brooks doesn’t just bring his enthusiasm to USU. He brings his methodology. 

“The process,” Suguturaga said. “We really do take it one day at a time. Don’t focus on what happened before. Don’t focus on what’s going to happen.”

Where Brooks takes the Aggies this season will depend on how the players buy into his comprehensive approach. For now, he is focused on developing new players and building a high-speed, high-performing team.

This spring, Brooks and his coaching staff brought in 10 new players. “We are eager learners,” Brooks said.

These eager learners have their eyes on developing a program that can take the Mountain West Conference championships and eventually, the Pac-12 Conference championships. 

Utah State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Diana Sabau said of Brooks: “Under his leadership, we look forward to advancing the trajectory of women’s basketball at Utah State University.”

Brooks aims to build a program Aggie nation can be proud of. The Aggies return to action against Kansas City University at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m., a game Brooks said will be a “real test.”