Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie announced the addition of cornerbacks coach Keelon Brookins on Dec. 8.

Brookins arrives in Ruston after coaching with newly appointed defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson the previous seasons at Northern Iowa (2023, 2018-2021) and Kent State (2022).
 
“I am looking forward to getting to Ruston and working hard to take it to new heights,” Brookins added.
 
In 2023, Brookins', defensive backs combined for seven interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 301 total tackles. He tutored UNI senior defensive back Woo Governor who earned First-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors after tallying 62 total tackles, including three for loss with two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
 
While at Kent State, Brookins played a large role in the success of Third Team All-MAC defensive back Nico Bolden who led the Golden Flashes with 103 total tackles and ranked ninth nationally in solo tackles per game with 5.7.
 
During Brookins’ first stint at Northern Iowa (2018-2021), he was instrumental in the development and coaching of nine all-conference defensive backs while helping the Panthers reach the FCS Playoffs three times during his first four years on staff, including a trip to the FCS quarterfinals in 2019.
 
Brookins' defensive backs played a large role in the Panthers’ 14 interceptions in the fall of 2021 to aid the efforts of the nation’s 13th ranked scoring defense at 18.0 points allowed per game. Defensive backs Benny Sapp III (First-Team) and Omar Brown (Honorable Mention) were named All-MVFC.
 
Despite the COVID-19-shortened spring season in 2021, three UNI defensive backs earned first-team all-league honors under Brookins' tutelage as the Panthers’ secondary played a vital role in the nation’s sixth ranked scoring defense, yielding just 15.3 points a game.
 
The 2019 season saw the Panthers defense intercept 19 passes while score four defensive touchdowns which ranked third and fourth in the country, respectively. Four Panther defensive backs earned postseason All-MFVC distinction, headlined by first-team selection Omar Brown ranked third nationally with three fumbles recovered while his sixth interceptions ranked 20th.
 
In 2018, the Panthers ranked sixth nationally in interceptions with 18 as part of a defense that ranked seventh nationally in defensive touchdowns (4) and 17th nationally in scoring defense (21.3). Defensive back Xavior Williams earned First-Team All-MVFC honors after recording 42 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, and four interceptions.
 
Prior to his coaching career, Brookins played at Wisconsin before transferring to UNI in 2017. He recorded 33 tackles with six tackles for loss, four sacks and a pair of interceptions to earn MVFC All-Newcomer Team honors as a senior while helping the Panthers earn a trip to the second round of the FCS playoffs.
 
Brookins graduated from Wisconsin in 2016 with a degree in education before obtaining his master’s degree in Leisure, Youth and Human Services from Northern Iowa in 2022. A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, he is married to his wife Olivia Arkell-Brookins and has a son, Hendrix, and daughter, Harlee.