Laney introduces Steve Brooks as their new head football coach
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — Buccaneer football now knows who their head coach will be for the 2025 season.
The school introduced Steve Brooks as the new leader to their program on Tuesday. Brooks has nearly 30 years of experience, which includes stints as the head coach of C.B. Aycock in Pikeville and an assistant in Jacksonville.
(Photo: WCTI)
He spoke to parents on Tuesday night after speaking to his players in the morning to share what the expectations will be going forward.
“We talked about our process,” Brooks said. “We talked about everything we do, we want to be champions. We’re going to use that word a lot, because if you don’t believe it in your mind, you’re never going to be a champion. We talked about best is the standard, and that’s in everything we do. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the athletic field or in the community.”
Brooks takes over for Luke Little, who resigned last month. Athletic Director Fred Lynch says that the timing made for an unusual candidate search, but believes they found the right man to lead their football program.
“We talked about kids first,” Lynch said. “We want to be in the community doing all the right things. Winning and losing will take care of itself and that’s what he talked about. We’re making sure we’re taking care of our athletes and that we continue to get better. We thought we had quality people and we thought Coach Brooks was the best one for the job.”
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
Brooks says he has been trying to relocate to the Wilmington area for some time and views Laney as a desirable job thanks to notable alum Michael Jordan.
“I think it’s the best brand in the country,” Brooks said. “Obviously, that starts with the guy who sits in the middle of the basketball court. Not because he’s the greatest athlete in the world, but it was the things he stood for. Commitment, his grit, his heart and soul. His desire. He didn’t want to lose. That’s the Laney community. They have all those intangibles and I think that’s what’s going to make us really good come the fall.”
(Photo: WWAY)
Brooks will also serve as the offensive playcaller when the season begins on August 22. He says he has a vision for what that side of the ball will look like.
“We’re going to be fast attacking,” Brooks said. “Strong, tough. That acronym carries over to everything we do. We want to play with high tempo. We want to get the ball to our athletes out in space. The best quote I can give you is ‘we’re going to throw to score, run to win.’”
