Florida State football legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks has joined the University of South Florida as COO for USF Athletics.
The move marks the first major hire under new athletics CEO Rob Higgins. It brings one of Tampa Bay’s most respected leaders into a role that connects athletics, business and community impact.
What Happened
Brooks joins USF’s senior leadership team effective immediately. He will oversee football and men’s basketball administration, revenue generation, sports tourism strategy and community engagement across Tampa Bay’s professional sports network.
He brings more than 15 years of executive experience, including his tenure as executive vice president of corporate and community development for Vinik Sports Group, parent company of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
He is president and founder of Derrick Brooks Charities, co-founder of Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School and serves on several boards including Kforce, the Florida Department of Education Foundation and the Florida State Fair Authority.
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“The University of South Florida has long held a special place in my heart and for my family,” Brooks said. “I cannot think of a university or an athletics department with brighter futures than ours, and I am ready to get to work and excited to join Rob, his staff and the tremendous student-athletes and coaches who make USF Athletics a one-of-one college athletic department.”
His daughter, Dania, is a junior infielder on USF’s championship softball team, adding a personal tie to his new post.
A three-time All-American at Florida State and 1993 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Brooks helped lead the Seminoles to a national title before anchoring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense through a 14-year career that included a Super Bowl victory and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
What’s Happening Next
Brooks joins USF as it moves toward the construction of its on-campus football stadium and continues to expand its athletics district.
His leadership is expected to strengthen sponsorships, community partnerships and corporate engagement as the Bulls prepare for their 60th season in 2025-26.
Higgins said Brooks’ addition will help “build something special” for student-athletes, alumni and fans while reinforcing USF’s role in the region’s growing sports economy.
What this means for Tampa Bay
Brooks’ appointment highlights how Tampa Bay’s sports ecosystem continues to mature under professional-grade leadership. His background blends athletic prestige with corporate strategy and civic influence — a combination that can expand USF’s reach and attract new investment across sports, tourism and education.
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For business leaders, the hire demonstrates how trusted local figures can enhance institutional credibility and foster community engagement.
Brooks’ evolution from linebacker to executive underscores how discipline and character translate into sustained organizational success.
The big picture
Derrick Brooks’ appointment unites two of Tampa Bay’s strongest brands, USF and its professional sports community, under a shared vision of leadership and local pride.
His presence brings strategic depth and homegrown credibility to an athletics department intent on setting a new standard in college sports.
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