Head Coach James Brooks

• Flagstaff High School (Flagstaff, Arizona) – **Player** (Tight End/Defensive End)
• Arizona State Sun Devils (NCAA DI) – **Player** (2007–2010)
• North Alabama Lions (NCAA DII) – **Player** (2011)
• Cologne Falcons (GFL, Germany) – **Player** (2013)
• Kozły Poznań (Poland) – **Player/Defensive Coordinator** (2014–2015)
• IBM Big Blue (X-League, Japan) – **Player** (2014–2022)
• Prague Lions (ČLAF, Czech Republic) – **Player** (2016, 2018)
• Prague Black Panthers (AFL, Austria) – **Defensive Coordinator** (2019-2021)
• Prague Lions (ELF) – **Player** (Defensive End) (2023–2024)
• Prague Lions (ELF) – **Defensive Coordinator** (2025)
• Prague Lions (ELF) – **Head Coach** (2026–Present)

• James Brooks named new Head Coach of the Prague Lions – European League of Football
• EFA: Prague Lions name James Brooks new HC – American Football International
• James Brooks (defensive end) – Wikipedia
• James Brooks retires to become new Lions Defensive Coordinator – European League Football
• James Brooks – a man of three cultures – American Football International

Team Achievements

• Pac-10 Co-Winner with Arizona State (2007).
• Reached the Czech Bowl with the Prague Lions (ČLAF) in 2016 (Lost in the final).
• Helped lead the Prague Black Panthers to the Austrian Football League (AFL) Semifinals as Defensive Coordinator (2019).
• Contributed to the Prague Lions’ first winning season (7-5) in the ELF and near playoff appearance as Defensive Coordinator (2025).

Personal Achievements

• 7× All X-League Team selection (Japan) (2014−2020).
• Big Blue Team MVP (IBM Big Blue, 2014).
• Selected to American Football International’s (AFI) All-Pandemic Team (2020).
• Was a three-star prospect coming out of high school.
• Acknowledged as a talented defensive end and a leader of the Prague Lions’ locker room during his playing tenure.

• During his three seasons for the Arizona State Sun Devils (NCAA DI), Brooks recorded 53 total tackles, 9 sacks, 18 tackles for a loss, and one interception.
• In his final college season at North Alabama, he recorded 55 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks.
• In his two seasons with the Prague Lions in the ELF (2023-2024), he compiled 81 total tackles, including an impressive 27.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks.
• As a player for the Lions in the ELF, he also forced six fumbles and blocked three passes.
• As Defensive Coordinator in the 2025 ELF season, his defense ranked 7th in both pass and rush defense, registered 24 total sacks, and finished with a +14 turnover ratio, which was the second-best in the ELF.

• **Full Name:** James Richard Brooks.
• **Hometown:** Flagstaff, Arizona, where he was a multi-sport standout in high school, playing football and basketball.
• **College Highlight:** He is best remembered in his college career for blocking two crucial point after attempts (PATs) in 2010, which contributed to a dramatic double-overtime victory for Arizona State against their arch-rival, Arizona.
• **Dual Career in Japan:** From 2014 to 2022, Brooks maintained a successful, long-term commitment to the IBM Big Blue in Japan’s X-League, often playing in Asia during the fall/winter season and in Europe during the spring/summer season, showcasing an incredible dedication to the international game.
• **Player-to-Coach Transition:** Brooks retired as a player in November 2024 to become the Defensive Coordinator for the Lions, a role he held for a year before being promoted to Head Coach.
• **Coach’s Quote:** The Prague Lions’ official announcement of his promotion highlighted his “physical and passionate style of play” and emphasized his “familiarity with the team, both as a player and coach, combined with his defensive mindset,” giving Prague a strong foundation.
• **ELF Rookie Season Success:** In his first ELF season with the Lions in 2023, he immediately made an impact, recording 8.5 sacks, 14 TFLs, and 4 forced fumbles, solidifying his role as a team leader.