The Brock University department of athletics is pleased to announce Brad Rootes as the interim head coach of the men’s basketball program. He replaces Ken Murray, who retired after twenty years at the helm.
“Brad has a big challenge in front of him, but I am confident he will be highly successful,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Lorne J. Adams. “He is enthusiastic, energetic, committed and mature beyond his years. I have no question about turning the program over to his leadership for the upcoming year, and I wish him every success.”
At age 25, Rootes becomes the youngest university coach in the country.
“I am extremely honoured and excited about having this opportunity to coach at my alma mater,” said Brad Rootes. “I look forward to helping build on the success the program has had in the past. I also want to continue to move the program in a positive direction as we endeavour to compete again for a National Championship.”
For the past two seasons Rootes has been the assistant coach of the Badgers where he worked on recruiting, guard play and breaking down game film.
In 2009, he was the head coach of the Ontario U15 Team that captured gold at the Canada Basketball national championships. In 2010, he coached the Rebels ETP U17 juvenile team and is currently the head coach of the Ontario U17 squad. For the past seven years, Rootes has also been a guest speaker and coach at many clinics and camps across the province.
As a player, Rootes captained the Badgers to their second CIS/U SPORTS national championship in school history, putting his mark on a great career university career.
In his fifth year at Brock, Rootes led the Badgers in five categories including scoring (17.3 PPG), assists (281), free throws made (183), minutes played (35.6 MPG) and steals (62).
In the OUA, he finished 5th in scoring (18.8 PPG) and was 2nd in the OUA and CIS in assists (7.4 APG) and three-pointers made (63). Versus Carleton, he broke the Brock single game free throws made record, going 20-for-23 from the charity stripe. He reached double figures in 36 games, including nine double-doubles.
For his performance in 2008, Rootes was named an OUA first team All-Star for his fifth consecutive season, becoming the first Brock player to be named a conference all-star all five seasons. He was selected as the OUA West Player of the Year and a second team All-Canadian for his second straight season.
Rootes is the all-time Brock leader in career free throws made (732-for-922) and steals (327). He also finished his university career ranked 2nd all-time in scoring (2790), assists (1173) and three-pointers made (376-for-1059).
On March 31st, 2008, Rootes was honoured becoming the fourth Brock basketball player to have his jersey officially retired joining Ken Murray, David Picton and Kevin Stienstra.
