TAMPA, Fla. – The University of South Florida (USF) Athletics department is making a major power move, announcing today that Hall of Fame linebacker and prominent Tampa Bay sports executive Derrick Brooks will serve as the department’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately.
USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins stated that Brooks’s addition is key to building something special for Bulls Nation, highlighting his three decades as a pillar of Team Tampa Bay and a leader across the state of Florida. Higgins emphasized Brooks’s unparalleled passion, energy, and expertise, calling him the “ultimate role model” for USF student-athletes.
Brooks brings deep professional experience to the COO role, spanning both the field and the front office. Following his Super Bowl-winning, 14-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brooks has spent over 15 years as a key executive.
He most recently served as Executive Vice President of Corporate and Community Development at Vinik Sports Group since 2017. Furthermore, he is the President and Founder of Derrick Brooks Charities and Co-Founder of Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School. Brooks also carries significant business and investment experience, having previously owned the Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football Team and advised various private equity and lending ventures.
In his new position, Brooks will tackle numerous high-level responsibilities alongside Higgins. These duties include serving as a lead community ambassador, assisting with Football and Men’s Basketball administration, driving revenue generation, developing the sports tourism strategy, enhancing student-athlete experiences, and fostering relationships with local professional franchises in the Team Tampa Bay effort.
This wide-ranging role is designed to leverage Brooks’s Hall of Fame stature and executive acumen to support USF Athletics’ growth.
“There is no better time to be a Bull!” Brooks noted the special place USF holds for his family, particularly as huge supporters of his daughter, DaNia, a junior infielder on the reigning American Conference Tournament champion softball team.
“All Gas. No Brakes. No Regrets. No Excuses. And I’ll just add: Go Bulls!” said Brooks.
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