Entering his second season at the helm of the Mississippi Christian University men's basketball program, Josh Brooks continues to build the Choctaws into a competitive force in the Gulf South Conference. An MC alumnus, Brooks returned to Clinton in March 2025 following a highly successful tenure as head coach at Belhaven University, where he established one of the Collegiate Conference of the South's premier programs.
In his first season leading his alma mater, Brooks guided the Choctaws through a challenging Gulf South Conference schedule while laying the foundation for the program's future. MC finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 10-18 overall record and seven conference victories, earning notable wins over conference foes Auburn Montgomery, Lee, Delta State, Christian Brothers, and Valdosta State. The Choctaws also posted an impressive 103-78 victory over Brooks' former program, Belhaven, and secured a road win at Valdosta State behind one of the team's most complete performances of the season.
Brooks' impact was especially evident in player development. Freshman guard Phil Nelson emerged as one of the Gulf South Conference's brightest young stars, averaging 15.8 points per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point range. Nelson started 27 games, scored 441 points, and established himself as one of the league's top freshmen under Brooks' guidance.
Prior to Mississippi Christian, Brooks transformed Belhaven into one of the top programs in the Collegiate Conference of the South. He led the Blazers to consecutive CCS Championship Game appearances and back-to-back 20-win seasons, including a 21-5 record in 2024-25—the program's winningest season since 2013-14. His teams also recorded consecutive 15-win seasons for the first time since 2010-12 while producing multiple All-Conference selections and Player of the Week honorees.
Before his success at Belhaven, Brooks spent four seasons as head coach at Jackson Academy, compiling a 91-48 overall record. His teams reached the state tournament three times, highlighted by an Overall State Tournament runner-up finish in his final season. He also guided the Raiders to the Overall State Final Four in 2018-19 and the Elite Eight in 2020-21, further establishing himself as one of the state's most respected coaches.
Brooks is no stranger to MC basketball. From 2008-18, he served as an assistant coach for the Choctaws, helping lead the program to six American Southwest Conference Tournament appearances, including a 20-7 campaign in 2008-09 that culminated in an ASC Championship Game appearance.
His coaching résumé also includes a successful four-year stint as head coach at Hernando High School from 2004-08. Brooks posted a 75-41 record, captured the Region 2-4A Championship in 2007-08, and earned Region 2-4A Coach of the Year honors following the 2006-07 season. He began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach at Belhaven from 2002-04, serving as recruiting coordinator while assisting with scouting and player development.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Brooks played four years of collegiate basketball at MC, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. He later received his master's degree from Belhaven University.
Brooks and his wife, Marie, have two children, Avery and Mallory.
Now entering his second season leading his alma mater, Brooks continues to shape the Choctaw program through player development, recruiting, and a commitment to building a championship culture. With a talented young core led by standout sophomore Phil Nelson and another year of continuity in the program, Brooks has MC positioned to continue its climb within the Gulf South Conference.
