Derrick Brooks spent hours as an NFL linebacker learning everything he could about his rivals. He watched video, studied schemes and understood tendencies, so much that he knew opposing offenses as well as the quarterbacks and coaches on the other sideline.
The studious approach helped Brooks transform his Tampa Bay Buccaneers career from a supposed undersized NFL player into a Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
These days, Brooks uses his intellect to tackle another sport: softball.
Two weeks ago, Brooks was in the stands at Sickles High to watch his daughter, DaNia, a senior captain who has already signed with the University of South Florida.
Between smiles, Brooks paid close attention to the game, analyzing each pitch, every swing.
He is more than just a parental bystander.
Brooks also is an assistant coach for DaNia’s team with the Tampa Mustangs, an elite travel ball organization.
“I’m all in,” Brooks said. “I’m trying to make these young ladies the best productive human beings I possibly can.
“I’m just trying to do it through softball.”
DaNia played all kinds of sports growing up – basketball, gymnastics, track and volleyball. She tried softball about a decade ago after some encouragement from her mother, Carol.
What started as a recreational pastime turned into something more serious. DaNia showed enough potential with her arm and her bat that she moved to the travel ball circuit not long after taking up softball.
In 2014, she was set to join a newly formed team with the Tampa Mustangs. The coach of that age group, Rene Ciccarello Jr., needed help filling out his staff.
So he asked Brooks to join him.
“I come from a football background,” Ciccarello Jr. said.” I wanted someone who would see things in the same way just in structure and coaching philosophy. Who better than Derrick Brooks for that.”
Knowing there would be a steep learning curve, Ciccarello Jr. offered a chance for Brooks to ease into the role.
That is not Brooks’ style.
Brooks has always made education, in the classroom and on the field, a priority.
After all, he earned his communications degree at Florida State in three years and graduated with a 3.89 cumulative grade point average.
His academic pursuits continued with a master’s degree from FSU in 2001 and an honorary doctorate from Saint Leo University. Eight years ago, Brooks was inducted into the Academic All-America Hall of Fame, something he takes as much pride in as his pro football enshrinement in Canton.
Softball became the next thing for Brooks to major in.
He watched YouTube videos on how to coach the sport, as well as how to mentor young girls. He completed coaching certificates. He even paid a visit to USF coach Ken Eriksen to pick up pointers.
“I wanted to get a real understanding of what I was doing before making this commitment,” Brooks said. “I treated it just as if I was playing. I wanted to give these ladies my best effort, and I put in the prep work to do it.”
So what was the biggest lesson Brooks learned during this crash course?
“With young ladies you’ve got to realize they have to feel good to play good,” Brooks said. “Men have to look good to play good. That’s the best advice Ken Erikson gave me. It’s so true.
“These ladies, everything you tell them they take to heart. It’s emotions. For me, it’s always been to coach with positive influence. Be critical. Be firm. But always be positive and honest. I hope that’s earned their respect, and they give me their best effort.”
Brooks’ eagerness – and devotion – to becoming a quality softball coach did not surprise his youngest daughter.
“My dad is all for his kids,” DaNia said. “My brothers. My sister. He’ll get involved in anything we’re doing.”
The transformation from dugout novice to softball expert was swift. Brooks poured over practice scripts. He charted pitches. He directed runners on the basepaths.
“Derrick really became a student of the game,” Ciccarello Jr. said.
After a year of helping out with the Tampa Mustangs, Brooks became a full-time assistant coach. The promotion came with a stipulation.
“I told him I was not going to treat him as Derrick Brooks the football player,” Ciccarello Jr. said. “He actually appreciated that.”
Brooks took on all tasks – videographer, field maintenance, concession worker.
During one tournament, a heavy downpour left the field a mess. Brooks was the first one to pick up a rake to get the infield in playing shape. Other parents followed his lead.
“There is no role that Derrick believes is too small for him,” Ciccarello Jr. said.
On the field, Brooks took the same approach. He went beyond the details in the game, showing compassion and toughness.
The players soaked in every lesson, too. The Mustangs became one of the best travel teams in the state – and nation.
By winning prestigious tournaments, DaNia and her teammates started to get noticed by college coaches as they entered high school.
At Sickles High, DaNia immediately took a prominent role thanks to her versatility. She can play just about any position, including pitcher.
Brooks, who wears many hats, proudly sports one for USF and wears a Gryphons shirt to root for DaNia as a high school parent – not as a coach.
He also performs the same duties of any other parent with a child on the team.
Take the first fall game during DaNia’s freshman season. Brooks manned the grill, cooking hamburgers.
“Someone nicknamed those our all-star burgers,” Sickles coach Al Bowman quipped.
Brooks helps in other ways, too, even fundraisers.
“I spent nine years at Berkeley Prep before coming to Sickles so I had some experience in working with affluent families,” Bowman said. “Some people are quick to tell you about their strengths and history and expectations. But Derrick is not like that at all. The whole family is humble and a pleasure to be around.”
Brooks is just as devoted to Sickles as he is to the Tampa Mustangs.
Last year, Brooks flew to Washington D.C. to be with the Tampa Bay Lightning during its White House visit to honor the team’s consecutive Stanley Cup titles.
He still made it home that night to watch DaNia’s game.
“I just want to make sure I’m here for my kids,” Brooks said.
DaNia has become one the top players in the state. She has power (seven home runs last season) and speed (23 career stolen bases) at the plate.
Her ability to make plays in the field (.898 career fielding percentage) is just as stellar. And on the mound, DaNia has a knack for keeping opposing batters off balance, as evidenced by her career 2.36 ERA and 201 career strikeouts.
Those physical tools helped her earn scholarships from plenty of Division I-A programs. When it came time to make her college plans official, DaNia chose to stay close to home by signing with USF.
“My parents were involved in the decision-making process,” DaNia said. “Once it came down to the final decision, they left that up to me and what I wanted to do.”
With the Bulls, DaNia said she will likely be used as an all-around player.
For now, though, her focus is finishing out her senior season at Sickles.
Against Robinson, DaNia went 4-for-4, including her first inside-the-park home run. She also threw four innings on the mound, allowing one unearned run on three hits and finishing with five strikeouts.
Brooks did not miss a play. He was only recognizable by his shirt, which had his last name on the back.
In the next two months, DaNia’s high school career will end. So too will her time playing travel ball.
“I love the girls and the teams,” DaNia said. “I’m going to be sad when it’s over, but there’s also some anxiousness in moving on to the next level.”
As for Brooks, he even has a game plan regarding his future in the sport.
After nearly a decade of coaching softball in the travel circuit, Brooks said he is closing that chapter once DaNia is at USF in the fall.
“I’m looking forward to being a USF dad,” Brooks said. “There’s no sadness because I gave everything to it. I don’t leave anything in the tank.
“And when I empty the tank it’s over.”
