Derrick Brooks Named USF Athletics COO

The University of South Florida has named Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks as Chief Operating Officer of USF Athletics, effective immediately. In the role, Brooks will oversee community engagement, football and men’s basketball administration, revenue generation, sports‑tourism strategy, enhancement of student‑athlete experiences, and relationships with Team Tampa Bay and other local professional franchises. He joins USF after more than 15 years in professional sports management, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Corporate & Community Development at Vinik Sports Group and previously holding leadership roles with Tampa Bay Sports & Football Entertainment and the Tampa Bay Storm. Brooks was a 14‑season Buccaneers standout with 11 Pro Bowl selections, the 2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year honor, Walter Payton Man of the Year recognition, and inductions into both the Pro and College Football Halls of Fame. USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins praised Brooks as a longtime “pillar of Team Tampa Bay,” and Brooks — who runs Derrick Brooks Charities, co‑founded Brooks‑DeBartolo Collegiate High School, and has a daughter, DaNia, on USF’s softball team — said he’s excited to join the Bulls.