WILSONVILLE, Ore. – Crook County High School track and field head coach Ernie Brooks was one of 24 high school coaches selected as a 2023-24 National Coach of the Year by the NFHS Coaches Association. Brooks was selected as the honoree for boys track and field.
A 27-year veteran of the coaching ranks, Brooks led the Cowboys track and field team to a 4A state title this spring – the first team state title of his head coaching career. A multi-sport head coach, he is an assistant for both the varsity and JV programs at Crook County, Brooks completed his 20th season at the helm of the track program and is in his 24th year at Crook County.
“To me it’s no surprise. For years he has been going above and beyond for his athletes,” Crook County athletic director Rob Bonner said. “He’s a multi-sport coach and is invested in his kids in season and out of season. A guy who is invested like Ernie is, it’s no secret he’s good at his job.”
Brooks led Crook County to its first OSAA state title in track and field in 2024. The Cowboys sent 28 boys to the state championship at Hayward Field to earn points in all but two events. They won with 96 points – the most scored by a 4A boys champion since the OSAA expanded to six classifications. Brooks has previously led the boys team to a runner-up finish in 2018, and the girls team to a runner-up finish in 2014.
Brooks is a fixture in the Prineville, Ore., community, and the NFHS recognized him for doing whatever it takes for his program. From fundraising, selling concessions and appearances at community events, Brooks has gone beyond coaching within the lines.
About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,800 high schools and 12 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 8 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities.
natel@osaa.org
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