MUST READ: By Dave Felton
Longtime La Mirada High athletic director and baseball coach Kim Brooks has been suspended by the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District after a profanity-laced audio tape of Brooks screaming at his team following a loss was released.
“I’ve been here a long time,” Brooks said calmly at the beginning of the recording, “and I will tell you that was probably the most PATHETIC (EXPLETIVE) BASEBALL GAME I’VE EVER SEEN A GROUP PLAY!”
The 17-minute recording features Brooks repeatedly cursing at his players, questioning their dedication to the program and inviting players to transfer to another school.
Note: Audio excerpt is two-minutes of a 17-minute profanity laced-tirade from coach Kim Brooks to his players following a game.
Brooks has his supporters on twitter, many of whom are using the hashtag, #freetheredman … Here is what a few have to say
Brooks went above and beyond to help me be the best student and athlete I could be. His dedication to La Mirada is unreal. #freetheredman
— Nicole Hammonds (@nicoleeysaywhat) May 21, 2014
Brooks didn't even need a microphone to give his motivational speeches. That's cause everyone respected him enough to listen #freetheredman
— Sarah Khattar (@sarahk_music) May 21, 2014
Brooks is the most inspirational person at out school, he just has a different way of showing it. #freetheredman
— taytayyyy (@TaylorSkogen) May 21, 2014
The Brooks story is everywhere, including at the Houston Press, which had this commentary from one of its blogs. I don’t know much about Brooks, other than his mustache game is strong, his first name is unfortunate, and his passion for high school boys baseball is disturbingly unchained. Based on the audio below following an 8-4 loss on April 26 to something called a Los Osos, Brooks might also be currently trying to quit smoking because he seems more than a little peeved at his team’s performance in that game: