Georgia Athletic Director Josh Brooks is The People’s A.D.

Former Georgia head coach Mark Richt tells a story in his recently released book, “Make The Call”, that tells you all you need to know about  J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks.

In 2008, Coach Richt had an opening on his staff for the Director of Football Operations role. At the time, Josh Brooks occupied that same role at the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

The Director of Football Operations is essentially the leader and point-person for football logistics. Anything and everything you can think of that needs to get done in and around a football program – hotel reservations, transportation to and from away games, reserving space for pregame meetings, and the list goes on and on – the Director of Football Ops has their hand in it.

During the application process for the open job at Georgia in 2008, Brooks sent Coach Richt a binder filled with examples of how he had done things during his tenure in the same role at ULM. It was exquisitely detailed and exhibited a thoughtfulness and attention to excellence that Richt knew he wanted on his staff.

The same qualities that Coach Richt saw in Josh Brooks during the interview process in 2008 have been on full display since Brooks was named the Director of Athletics at Georgia on January 6, 2021.

When he made the jump to AD from his previous role as Georgia’s Executive Associate Director of Athletics, Brooks became the youngest athletic director in the Southeastern Conference.

One of the early indicators that Brooks was the right choice for the job were the endorsements he got from former Georgia athletes that were on campus during his time as Director of Football Operations. He received ringing endorsements from a number of former Dawgs, including Drew Butler, David Andrews, and Aaron Murray.

Georgia fans have grown to understand over the last year why so many that knew Brooks were overjoyed by his hire.

Since January, there has been no greater advocate for Georgia fans and for the Georgia fan experience than Josh Brooks.

Shortly after his hiring, it was announced that Sanford Stadium would host Topgolf, giving Georgia fans the opportunity for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Not only would fans get to be inside Sanford Stadium during the offseason, they would get to do so while hitting golf balls on targets positioned on the field. One such target? The iconic power G at midfield. The event was a hit, and an experience that most Dawgs fans will never forget.

Next, he set about improving the fan experience at Sanford Stadium. During his first in-person board meeting as Georgia’s athletic director, Brooks announced that concession prices at all athletic venues on campus would be lowered to rates more affordable for families coming to see the Dawgs play.

Then, before the football season started, news dropped that would elevate the game experience on a Saturday in Athens.

It was announced that the athletic department partnered with Zaxby’s (not only a beloved fast-casual chicken chain, but also a Georgia Bulldog-owned one!) to provide their iconic pellet ice at all of the concessions stands in Sanford Stadium

‘What’s the big deal about ice?’ you might ask. Remember that attention to detail and focus on excellence that Coach Richt noticed in Josh Brooks over a decade ago? No example better illustrates that than getting Zaxby’s ice at the stadium.

For Georgia fans, the ice at Sanford was a running joke, and not in a good way. It even garnered its own olfactory nickname. And, it’s been a running gripe as well, ‘How hard is it to get good ice?’

Brooks didn’t just listen to the concerns and address the concerns, he did so in a way that his specific fanbase would not only appreciate, but adore.

And, that’s the Josh Brooks difference. He doesn’t just give lip service to the concerns of the population he serves, he leaps in to action to create a higher standard.

When Hollywood megastar Dwayne Johnson was ascending to stardom in his first career, as The Rock wrestling in the WWE, he used to refer to himself as “The People’s Champion” in an homage to Muhammad Ali.

It became an inseparable part of his in-ring persona and became synonymous with The Rock, to the point where his crowd interaction became as beloved as his actual wrestling.

In his first year on the job. Josh Brooks has proven, if nothing else, that he’s focused and intent on providing the Georgia faithful with an unparalleled fan experience. He’s listening, and working, for his people.

Josh Brooks’ official title may be the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics, but to Georgia fans, he’s fondly just – The People’s A.D.