Brock's Rootes becomes youngest CIS hoops coach

Former Badgers standout Brad Rootes has been named the head coach of Brock University's men's basketball team, making him the youngest head coach in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

The 26-year-old from Niagara Falls, Ont., had been an assistant at Brock since the 2008-09 season. This past season, he was interim head coach and lead the Badgers to a 14-16 overall record, highlighted by victories over Ottawa, Western, Windsor and Laurier.

"Brad's success as a Brock student-athlete will carry over to his team on the court and in the classroom," Chris Critelli, Brock's interim athletic director, said in a statement. "There aren't many that have his passion for the game. Brad will have a significant impact on the game, our department and our community."

Rootes becomes the sixth head coach in the program's 43-year history.

"We have a storied history of great teams and players," Rootes said. "I look forward to helping build on the past successes of the program, as well as continue to move it forward in a positive direction in the future.

"This is my dream job, being at home both at Brock and in the Niagara region."

Rootes captained Brock's CIS championship team in 2008, and was named an Ontario conference first team all-star for his fifth consecutive season.

Rootes is Brock's all-time leader in career free throws made (732-for-922) and steals (327). He also finished his university career ranked second all-time in scoring (2790), assists (1173) and three-pointers made (376-for-1059).