Larry Brooks enters his second season coaching Detroit’s defensive lineman. The Lions’ defensive line flourished in their first season under Brook’s tutelage, nearly doubling their sack output from 17.5 sacks in 2003 to 30.5 sacks in 2004. He also helped DT Shaun Rogers earn his first career Pro Bowl invitation and DE James Hall set a career high with 11.5 sacks.
Before joining the Lions coaching staff, Brooks served as the defensive line coach for the Chicago Bears in 2003, where he worked under Lions Interim Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Dick Jauron. Previous to his stint in Chicago, Brooks spent nine years coaching under Mike Holmgren with the Green Bay Packers (1994-98) and then with the Seattle Seahawks (1999-02). While in Green Bay, he coached on the same staff with Jauron and tutored future Hall of Famer Reggie White. Brooks earned a Super Bowl ring with the Packers in 1996.
After taking a year away from football in 1991, Brooks returned to his alma mater Virginia State as an assistant coach and assistant athletic director. His first job came as an assistant defensive line coach with the Los Angeles Rams, the team he played with for his entire career, from 1983-90. In 1985 Brooks served on the Rams’ coaching staff as the team’s quality control coach.
From 1972-82, Brooks was a standout defensive tackle for the Rams as he was named to the Pro Bowl for five consecutive seasons (1976-80) and was an All-Pro selection in 1977, 1978 and 1979. Drafted in the 14th round (355th overall) by the Rams in 1972, he played an integral role in the Rams’ seven consecutive NFC West division championships (1973-79), played in four NFC Championship games (1974, 1975, 1976, 1979) and one Super Bowl (1980).
Brooks, a Prince George, Va., native, was named to the Associated Press Little All-American team while playing for Virginia State and was inducted into the Virginia Hall of Fame in 2000. He and his wife, Colleen, have a son, Larry, Jr.
