By Amaranth Sportline — The Voice of Great Champions
The success of the University of Georgia Athletic Association under Josh Brooks is the product of a well-earned and deliberate career path, which saw the Georgia alumnus rise through the ranks, gain essential external experience, and ultimately return to lead the entire department.
Brooks’ journey is characterized by multiple stints at different institutions, ensuring he garnered diverse experience in administration, operations, and leadership before taking the reins at a major Power Five program.
🏛️ The First Act: Learning the Ropes (LSU & UGA 1.0)
Brooks began his career with a foundation in football operations, providing him with a vital, hands-on understanding of the sport that drives the SEC:
Louisiana State University (LSU): Brooks graduated from LSU in 2002 with a degree in Kinesiology. As a student, he gained early experience working as an equipment manager and a student assistant coach with the football team. University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM): He then served as a graduate assistant before becoming the Director of Football Operations from 2004–2008. It was here that he transitioned from a coaching ambition to the administrative side of athletics. University of Georgia (UGA 1.0): Brooks first came to Athens in 2008, serving as the Director of Football Operations until 2011. He was then promoted to Assistant and Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations (2012–2014), gaining experience beyond the football program. He completed his Master’s degree in Sport Management from UGA in 2014. 💼 The Middle Act: Gaining AD Experience (Millsaps & ULM)
Recognizing the need for broader leadership experience, Brooks purposefully took roles outside of the UGA structure:
Millsaps College (2014–2015): Brooks took his first full Athletic Director position at Millsaps, a Division III college in Jackson, Mississippi. This experience was crucial, as the small department size required him to be involved in virtually “everything,” providing a holistic view of athletic management. University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) (2015–2016): He returned to ULM to serve as Deputy Athletics Director, further honing his skills in high-level administration and operations. 🧗 The Final Act: The Ascent to AD (UGA 2.0)
Brooks returned to Athens in 2016, placing himself in a position to lead the UGA Athletic Association when the opportunity arose.
Executive Associate Director of Athletics (2016–2017): In this role, he quickly became instrumental in facility expansion and planning, demonstrating his capability to handle large-scale projects. Deputy and Senior Deputy Athletic Director (2018–2020): Over these years, he was promoted multiple times, gradually assuming more responsibilities from his predecessor, Greg McGarity, which “nurtured” him along the path to the top job. Director of Athletics (January 2021–Present): Following McGarity’s retirement, Brooks was named the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics, becoming the 12th AD in UGA history and, at the time of his hiring, the youngest Athletic Director in the Power Five conferences.
Brooks’ diverse background—ranging from equipment manager to AD at a Division III school—gives him a unique perspective that Kirby Smart and other coaches value, providing a deep understanding of the administrative and operational demands necessary to sustain championship-level excellence in the Glory, Grit, Georgia era. Dwag Nation!
