Herb Brooks - Ice Hockey Coach, Career and Childhood
Herb Brooks's Personal Details
Herb Brooks was an American ice-hockey player and coach – he was the head coach of the gold medal-winning U.S
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | August 5, 1937 |
| Died on | August 11, 2003 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | University Of Minnesota, Sportspersons, Coaches, Ice Hockey Coach, Player |
| Spouses | Patti Brooks (m. 1965–2003) |
| Known as | Herbert Paul Brooks Jr. |
| Childrens | Danny, Kelly |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Cause of death |
|
| Birth Place | Saint Paul, MN, US |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Herbert Sr. |
| Mother | Pauline Brooks |
| Sun Sign | Leo |
| Born in | Saint Paul, MN, US |
| Famous as | Ice Hockey Coach, Player |
| Died at Age | 66 |
// Famous Player
Nicol David
Nicol David is a Malaysian female professional squash player who became the first Asian to be ranked world number one in women’s squash.
Herb Brooks's photo
Who is Herb Brooks?
Herbert Paul Brooks Jr. was an American ice hockey player and coach. He started playing ice-hockey early, and made a mark at high school and university. As a player, he represented his country in two Olympics, but could not win a medal. He began to coach the University of Minnesota, and went on to revive their fortunes. He was hired as the coach of the US hockey team for the Olympics. He stressed on fitness, and motivated his players largely by using fear, that they forgot their collegiate rivalries, and found common enemy in their coach. When the winter games finally got underway, most analysts felt that if the US played to the best of their abilities, they could win a bronze medal. The team progressed well, and confronted the Russians in the medals round. It was the height of the Cold War between the super powers, with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan underway, and the US announcing the boycott of the Moscow Olympics. Moreover, the Soviets were considered the favorites. The American beat the Russian, and Brooks and his team were hailed as heroes. Brooks also coached an Olympic silver medal winning US team. After his death, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Childhood & Early Life
Herb Brooks was born on August 5, 1937 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to Herbert Brooks, Sr. and Pauline Brooks. He was the oldest of three children, and grew up in a modest duplex, on the East side of St. Paul.
He attended Johnson High School, and led his school to the Minnesota high school title. He continued playing with the University of Minnesota Gophers from 1955 to 1959.
Career and Later Life
Initially, Herb Brooks was a member of the 1960 Olympic roster but his name was cut just a week before the games. He was disappointed, but worked harder. He made to the team for the next two Olympics, but a medal eluded him.
He began his coaching career in 1969, as an assistant coach for his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, and in the following year, coached the Minnesota Junior Stars.
He became the head coach at the University of Minnesota. The team won three NCAA Division I championships, and a WCHA title between 1974 and 1979.
He finished his collegiate coaching with a record of 175 wins, 101 losses and 20 ties. He was hired to coach the Olympic team in 1979, and hand-picked several Minnesota Boston University players.
To compete with the Soviet Union team specifically, Brooks developed a hybrid of American and Canadian styles, and the faster European style, which emphasized on creativity and teamwork.
He emphasized the need for player fitness believing that one of the reasons the Soviet team had dominated international competition was that many of their opponents were exhausted by the third period.
Just after his Olympic success, he declined coaching in the NHL. Instead, he chose to go to Switzerland. He coached there for one season, for Daro in the Swiss Elite League.
From 1981 to 1985, he coached in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, where he became the first American-born coach in the Rangers’ team history to win 100 games.
Between 1987 and 2000, he coached the NFL teams such as Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins, and was the Director of Player Personnel for two years before his death.
Invited to coach the French national team in the 1997 World Championship and the Olympics in Nagano the following year, he found them skilled, but unorganized, and took the 11th spot in Nagano.
Awards & Achievements
Brooks received one of hockey’s most prestigious awards, the Lester Patrick Awards in 2002. The trophy is named after Lester Patrick, a player and coach, who was the developer of ice hockey.
In 2006, he was posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The inscription reads: “A man of passion and dedication, Herb Brooks inspired a generation of Americans to pursue any and all dreams”.
In 1980, Brooks was the head coach of the gold medal-winning US Olympic hockey team at Lake Placid that upset the much fancied Soviet team in a match described as the “Miracle on Ice”.
He coached the US squad a second time at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. They beat Russia in the semi-final, but lost to Canada 2-5 in the finals, to take the silver.
Personal Life & Legacy
Brooks married Patti in 1965, and they had two children, Danny and Kelly.
As part of the 25th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” celebration, the Olympic ice arena in Lake Placid, New York, where the United States won the gold medal, was renamed Herb Brooks Arena.
The Herb Brooks Award is awarded at the conclusion of the Minnesota State High School League’s state hockey tournament to “the most qualified hockey player” in the state tournament.
He died in a single car crash, near Forest Lake, Minnesota, on Interstate 35, on August 11, 2003.
Trivia
This American ice-hockey coach once said, “My recruiting key - I looked for PEOPLE first, athletes second. I wanted people with a sound value system as you cannot buy values”.
More than half of the players on the 1980 US Olympic “Miracle on Ice” men’s team were born in Minnesota, and coached by this Minnesota native.
// Famous Sportspersons
Ted Williams
Ted Williams was an American baseball player. Read this biography to learn more about his profile, childhood, life and timeline.
Jürgen Klopp
Jürgen Klopp is a German football manager, and a former professional football player. Check out this biography to know more about his childhood, family, personal life, etc.
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is a retired Chinese basketball player who played for Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Herb Brooks biography timelines
- // 5th Aug 1937Herb Brooks was born on August 5, 1937 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to Herbert Brooks, Sr. and Pauline Brooks. He was the oldest of three children, and grew up in a modest duplex, on the East side of St. Paul.
- // 1955 To 1959He attended Johnson High School, and led his school to the Minnesota high school title. He continued playing with the University of Minnesota Gophers from 1955 to 1959.
- // 1960Initially, Herb Brooks was a member of the 1960 Olympic roster but his name was cut just a week before the games. He was disappointed, but worked harder. He made to the team for the next two Olympics, but a medal eluded him.
- // 1965Brooks married Patti in 1965, and they had two children, Danny and Kelly.
- // 1969He began his coaching career in 1969, as an assistant coach for his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, and in the following year, coached the Minnesota Junior Stars.
- // 1974 To 1979He became the head coach at the University of Minnesota. The team won three NCAA Division I championships, and a WCHA title between 1974 and 1979.
- // 1979He finished his collegiate coaching with a record of 175 wins, 101 losses and 20 ties. He was hired to coach the Olympic team in 1979, and hand-picked several Minnesota Boston University players.
- // 1980In 1980, Brooks was the head coach of the gold medal-winning US Olympic hockey team at Lake Placid that upset the much fancied Soviet team in a match described as the “Miracle on Ice”.
- // 1980More than half of the players on the 1980 US Olympic “Miracle on Ice” men’s team were born in Minnesota, and coached by this Minnesota native.
- // 1981 To 1985From 1981 to 1985, he coached in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, where he became the first American-born coach in the Rangers’ team history to win 100 games.
- // 1987 To 2000Between 1987 and 2000, he coached the NFL teams such as Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins, and was the Director of Player Personnel for two years before his death.
- // 1997Invited to coach the French national team in the 1997 World Championship and the Olympics in Nagano the following year, he found them skilled, but unorganized, and took the 11th spot in Nagano.
- // 2002Brooks received one of hockey’s most prestigious awards, the Lester Patrick Awards in 2002. The trophy is named after Lester Patrick, a player and coach, who was the developer of ice hockey.
- // 2002He coached the US squad a second time at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. They beat Russia in the semi-final, but lost to Canada 2-5 in the finals, to take the silver.
- // 11th Aug 2003He died in a single car crash, near Forest Lake, Minnesota, on Interstate 35, on August 11, 2003.
- // 2006In 2006, he was posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The inscription reads: “A man of passion and dedication, Herb Brooks inspired a generation of Americans to pursue any and all dreams”.
// Famous Coaches
Jürgen Klopp
Jürgen Klopp is a German football manager, and a former professional football player. Check out this biography to know more about his childhood, family, personal life, etc.
David Moyes
David Moyes is a Scottish professional football coach and former player. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka is a former American football NFL player coach and TV commentator. This biography profiles his childhood, life, career, achievements and timeline.
Bill Bowerman
Bill Bowerman was an American track and field coach, winner of the Oxford Cup and co-founder of the Nike, Inc. Check out this biography to get detailed information on his life.
Mats Wilander
Mats Wilander is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from Sweden. This biography of Mats Wilander provides detailed information about his childhood, life, tennis career, achievements and timeline.
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola is a former Spanish footballer. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
Herb Brooks's FAQ
What is Herb Brooks birthday?
Herb Brooks was born at 1937-08-05
When was Herb Brooks died?
Herb Brooks was died at 2003-08-11
Where was Herb Brooks died?
Herb Brooks was died in Forest Lake, MN, US
Which age was Herb Brooks died?
Herb Brooks was died at age 66
Where is Herb Brooks's birth place?
Herb Brooks was born in Saint Paul, MN, US
What is Herb Brooks nationalities?
Herb Brooks's nationalities is American
Who is Herb Brooks spouses?
Herb Brooks's spouses is Patti Brooks (m. 1965–2003)
Who is Herb Brooks childrens?
Herb Brooks's childrens is Danny, Kelly
What was Herb Brooks universities?
Herb Brooks studied at University Of Minnesota, Johnson Senior High School, University of Minnesota
What was Herb Brooks notable alumnis?
Herb Brooks's notable alumnis is University Of Minnesota
What is Herb Brooks's cause of dead?
Herb Brooks dead because of Car Accident
Who is Herb Brooks's father?
Herb Brooks's father is Herbert Sr.
Who is Herb Brooks's mother?
Herb Brooks's mother is Pauline Brooks
What is Herb Brooks's sun sign?
Herb Brooks is Leo
How famous is Herb Brooks?
Herb Brooks is famouse as Ice Hockey Coach, Player