© Copyright 2010ALVINBROOKS.COM   Former head coach Alvin Brooks will return to the University of Houston men's basketball sidelines in 2010-11 as associate coach, head coach James Dickey announced. In nearly 30 years, Brooks has competed in 17 postseason tournaments as a coach or player. He has guided 16 players who competed in the NBA with a dozen more players playing professionally overseas. "Alvin loves this city and the University of Houston, and we are thrilled he is coming back to our basketball program. This is home to Alvin," Dickey said. "He is one of the most respected people in the coaching profession and will be a great mentor for both our coaches and players. Alvin will be invaluable in recruiting the city of Houston and will be a tremendous resource on the sidelines." Brooks served as the head coach at Houston from 1993 to 1998. Taking over in April 1993, he became the first African-American head coach in program history and one of the nation's youngest head coaches. During his tenure, he led the Cougars to a 17-10 overall record and second-place finish in the Southwest Conference in 1995-96. The Cougars also enjoyed a pair of wins against nationally ranked teams that season against No. 3 Memphis and No. 19 Tulsa in double overtime. Following his head coaching stint at Houston, Brooks served as an assistant coach at Texas Tech (1999-01), where he worked on Dickey's staff, North Texas (2001-03), UTEP (2003-04) and Texas A&M (2004-07). He also worked as the director of operations at Kentucky from 2007 to 2009. In 1986, he first began his career at the University of Houston as an assistant coach. In seven seasons, he helped lead the Cougars to a 142-73 overall record with three NCAA Tournament appearances and three NIT berths. The Cougars also swept the 1992 Southwest Conference regular season and SWC Postseason Classic championships. Until the 2009-10 season, that 1992 berth was the Cougars' most recent appearance at the NCAA Tournament. Brooks began his coaching career as an assistant at Lamar in 1982. In five seasons on the sidelines with the Cardinals, he helped guide the program to a combined 115-44 record, two Southland Conference championships and five postseason tournament appearances. PLAYING CAREER Before joining the coaching ranks, Brooks was an award-winning player in college and high school. As a senior at Houston's Wheatley High School, he averaged 25.9 points and 9.0 assists per game on the way to earning All-City honors. He began his collegiate career in record-setting fashion at Sam Houston State, where he set the Bearkats' single-season record with 165 assists and was named the Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year. He also received All-Lone Star Conference Honorable Mention after averaging 14.2 points and 5.2 assists per game. Following his freshman season, he left SHSU and competed at Henderson County Junior College, leading the team to a 20-8 record as a sophomore. Transferring to Lamar, Brooks was the starting point guard for two NCAA Tournament teams that posted a combined 47-6 record. As a junior, he led the 10th-seeded Cardinals into the Sweet 16 with a win against No. 5 Oregon State. As a senior, he was an All-Southland Conference Second-Team selection after setting school records for single-game assists, season and career. He later was selected in the 10th round of the 1981 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. PERSONAL He and his wife Richelle have five children: daughter Andree and sons Casey, Julian, Vincent and Alvin III. His son Alvin III is an assistant coach at Bradley University. ALVIN BROOKS AT A GLANCE Hometown: Houston, Texas Birthdate: Aug. 6, 1959 EDUCATION • Lamar • bachelor's degree in life and earth science with minor in physical education • 1982 • Wheatley High School • 1977 FAMILY Wife: The former Richelle Beaudion Children: Daughter Andree, sons Casey, Julian, Vincent and Alvin III COACHING CAREER 2010 - • Houston • associate coach 2007-09 • Kentucky • director of operations 2004-07 • Texas A&M • assistant coach 2003-04 • UTEP • assistant coach 2001-03 • North Texas • assistant coach 1999-01 • Texas Tech • assistant coach 1993-98 • Houston • head coach 1986-93 • Houston • assistant coach 1981-86 • Lamar • assistant coach COACHING NOTES • 15 postseason tournament appearances • 16 NBA players coached • 12 players who competed professionally overseas TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS • 2003-04 Western Athletic co-champions (UTEP) • 1992 Southwest Conference co-champions (Houston) • 1992 Southwest Conference Postseason Classic champions (Houston) • 1983-84 Southland Conference champions (Lamar) • 1982-83 Southland Conference champions (Lamar) PLAYING EXPERIENCE 1979-81 • Lamar 1975-77 • Wheatley High School PLAYING HONORS Lamar 1997 Voted by Beaumont Enterprise readers as one of the five greatest players in Lamar history 1979-81 • Two-year letterman (Lamar) • Averaged 10.4 ppg and 6.9 apg during his career • Drafted in the 10th round of the 1981 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs • 1981 All-Southland Conference Second Team • Helped lead Lamar to 25 wins as a senior in 1981 • Starting point guard on NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 team • Led upset No. 5 Oregon State in Second Round and was named game's Most Valuable Player by NBC Sports Wheatley High School 1976-77 • Earned All-City honors • Averaged 25.9 points and 9.0 assists per game as a senior NBA PLAYERS COACHED • Greg Anderson (Houston) • Randy Brown (Houston) • Andre Emmett (Texas Tech) • Rolando Ferreira (Houston) • Anthony Goldwire (Houston) • Carl Herrera (Houston) • Damon Jones (Houston) • Acie Law IV (Texas A&M) • Sam Mack (Houston) • Bo Outlaw (Houston) • Fili Rivera (UTEP) • Tom Sewall (Lamar) • Alvaro Teheran (Houston) • Craig Upchurch (Houston) • Rickie Winslow (Houston) • Antoine Wright (Texas A&M)