| Born: | August 5, 1937 |
| Hometown: | St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Known For: | “Miracle On Ice” Coach |
| National Team: | United States |
Herbert Paul Brooks Jr. (August 5, 1937 – August 11, 2003) was an American ice hockey player and coach. His most notable achievement came in 1980 as head coach of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team at Lake Placid. At the Games, Brooks’s American team upset the heavily favored Soviet team in a match that came to be known as the “Miracle on Ice.”
Brooks coached multiple National Hockey League (NHL) teams, as well as the French team at the 1998 Winter Olympics. He ultimately returned to coach the U.S. men’s team to a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Brooks was killed in a 2003 car accident. At the time of his death, he was the director of player personnel for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
Deeper Dive
Coaching History
- University of Minnesota (Assistant Coach) 1971-1972
- University of Minnesota (Head Coach) 1972-1979
- U.S. Olympic Team (Head Coach) 1980, 2002
- HC Davos (Head Coach) 1980-81
- New York Rangers (Head Coach) 1981-1985
- St. Cloud State University (Head Coach) 1986-1987
- Minnesota North Stars (Head Coach) 1987-1988
- Utica Devils (Head Coach) 1991-1992
- New Jersey Devils (Head Coach) 1992-1993
- France Olympic Team (Head Coach) 1998
- Pittsburgh Penguins (Head Coach) 1999-2000
Front Office History
- Pittsburgh Penguins (Scout) 1995-2002
- Pittsburgh Penguins (Director of Player Development) 2002-2003
Achievements
- IIHF World Championships Bronze Medal (1962, as player)
- Olympic Gold Medal (1980)
- Olympic Silver Medal (2002)
- NCAA Champion (1974, 1976, 1979)
- WCHA Coach of the Year (1974)
- Hockey Hall of Fame (2006)