Brooks reflects on tenure at North Putnam

When the high school boy's basketball season tips off later this year at North Putnam, the Cougars will have a new face leading them onto the hardwood. 

Veteran coach Vince Brooks and the district have severed ties, following a recommendation from North Putnam High School principal Amanda Williams to not renew Brooks' contract. The North Putnam School Board approved the recommendation at its board meeting recently. 

Brooks was the winningest coach in North Putnam history, going 96-78 over seven seasons and lead the Cougars to four sectional championship game appearances. 

Brooks shared with The Putnam County Post a statement he read at the school board meeting, in which he questioned the transparency and the motive behind his departure. 

Brooks said seven years ago, his family chose to "fully invest" in the North Putnam community, buying a home in the district, serving in the schools, serving on community service projects and putting his children in the school system. 

"That investment was not casual, it was intentional," Brooks said. 

Brooks said he had "no interest" in coaching under an administration that did not want him. 

"I am here because I care deeply about the future of North Putnam athletics, the basketball program that I gave everything to, and its student athletes and its coaches. I am here to support tomorrow's coach that gets pushed out the door without transparency and without the proper process taking place. I am here because I believe a real leader stands up against injustice," Brooks said. 

Brooks referenced a 2023 incident where several parents made "misleading and false statements" in an attempt to have him removed from his position. 

"At that time, the school board ignored the recommendation of the principal and athletic director and made an intentional decision to only listen to a few disgruntled parents rather than making an attempt to seek the truth. But in the final moments before the board meeting, all but one board member did a full 180 to ensure they were not on the losing side of the majority of public opinion," Brooks noted. 

The veteran coach noted that he had grown as a coach since that incident, citing being more intentional about differentiating his coaching style seeking to coach kids in a way that was best for them to build trust and be pushed to their full potential. 

"There have been no attempts by anyone to correct or help guide me with any perceived problems or issues with me as a coach or with the basketball program. Throughout my entire time at North Putnam, every teaching and coaching evaluation has been very positive and free of any concerns," he said. 

Brooks continued that he was "absolutely shocked" when he learned that Superintendent Dustin LeMay and Williams no longer wanted him as the coach, asked for his resignation and cited a decision to move in another direction. 

"When a head coach with consistently positive evaluations is asked to resign without clear explanation, it creates uncertainty—not just for that coach, but for every coach and student in the system. Strong organizations have clear roles. School boards set vision and policy. Administrators lead. Athletic directors manage athletic programs. When those lines are blurred, trust erodes—and programs suffer. Has there been full transparency in how decisions like this are made? Are decisions being guided by what is best for the majority of students, or by the influence of a small number of voices? And perhaps most importantly—when will this board trust the athletic director to lead the athletic programs you have entrusted to him," Brooks asked. 

Brooks told The Putnam County Post, he was very proud of what his teams accomplished in his first seasons at the helm. 

"We struggled in the last couple years, but we were very strong in the first five. I am also proud of the fact our team had a 3.5-plus GPA every semester and never had a player ineligible. We had several valedictorian and salutatorian players. The most important thing are the relationships that have been build. I have had so many former players send me texts expressing love and appreciation. That is what this business is all about," Brooks said. 

Prior to Brooks arrival, North Putnam had won an average of 6.7 games and that ballooned to 16.2 in his first five seasons. In addition, Brooks won four Putnam County titles, and had four seasons over .500, while winning .638 percent of his games and boasting a 26-2 mark against county opponents in his first five seasons. 

As for what is next, Brooks said he has "no idea."

I am currently applying and interviewing, but I am confident something will come along soon," Brooks said.