University at Buffalo associate head coach Jacey Brooks has been hired as the next head coach of the NIU women’s basketball team, NIU Athletics announced Tuesday.
“We are excited to welcome Jacey Brooks to NIU to lead the Huskie women’s basketball program,” NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean Frazier in an NIU Athletics press release. “Her (Brooks’) firm understanding of how to navigate the transfer portal, NIL (name, image and likeness) and having connections to our region from her time at both Bowling Green and Buffalo will be invaluable as we prepare to make the transition to the Horizon League.”
Spending two seasons as a member of Buffalo’s coaching staff, Brooks helped guide the Bulls to back-to-back appearances in the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
Buffalo also clinched a spot in the National Invitational Tournament in both seasons. This season, the Bulls earned a spot in the WNIT semi-finals and will compete against Cleveland State University on Wednesday.
The Marchias, New York, native brings 18 years of total collegiate coaching experience to DeKalb, including a five-year stay as the head coach of the State University of New York College at Cortland.
With SUNY Cortland, Brooks led the Red Dragons to their first conference championship since 2010. Moreover, Brooks led SUNY Cortland to three appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Brooks also has experience as an assistant coach for Bowling Green State University. In her time at Bowling Green, Brooks helped lead the Falcons to a record of 30-5 (17-1 MAC) in the 2013-14 season.
Brooks replaces former head coach Lisa Carlsen, who spent a decade at NIU before resigning March 10. Carlsen led the Huskies to an overall record of 13-17 in her final season, missing the MAC tournament.
