TAMPA, Fla. – Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks is back on the mic with host Rock Riley, returning to The Rock Stops Here Podcast to break down his major new career shift. Brooks is stepping in as the Chief Operating Officer for USF Bulls Athletics, a move he believes will help reshape the future of the program.
In the episode, Brooks details how he plans to work alongside Rob Higgins to bring USF to “new heights.” He addresses the inevitable question—”why now?”—and shares insights gleaned from his time working with Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik.
The conversation also pivots to the media side of the industry. Riley takes a stand on the concept of “off the record” information, insisting that confidential conversations should remain just that. He ties this philosophy to the recent Bucky Irving story surrounding the Bucs, while also pulling from his own deep archive of experiences. Riley shares a specific callback to boxer Jerry Cooney, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of reporting inside information.
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