After pursuing head coaching opportunities for four years without success, Steven Brooks has finally been entrusted to lead the Carolina Chaos for the 2026 Championship Series. This opportunity came through Chaos general manager Spencer Ford, who decided to give Brooks his first shot as a head coach. Just as Brooks began gearing up for the new season, he was contacted by Austin Kaut, his former Florida Launch teammate and now the Chaos goalie, eager to reconnect and collaborate for the upcoming campaign.
Renewing a Partnership Rooted in the Florida Launch
Brooks and Kaut have reunited after an eight-year separation, having spent three seasons together on the Florida Launch team between 2015 and 2018. Back then, Brooks was a seasoned veteran, while Kaut was an emerging talent making his professional debut. Their bond formed through Brooks’ leadership and mentorship during those formative years.
“He taught me a lot of everything I needed to know about the league and travel and everything,”
Kaut shared.
“So he was basically ‘Daddy Brooks.’ He was Dad to most of us on the team. I was a young 21-year-old kid, and he was in his late 20s or early 30s. He really guided us through the process and was always looking out for the younger guys.”
From Player Leadership to Coaching Vision
While their roles have evolved—Brooks transitioning into coaching and Kaut establishing himself as a veteran keeper—their shared understanding of the game and leadership philosophy remains intrinsic. Kaut is preparing for his 13th professional season and stands as a key leader among the young core of Chaos players, including Jackson Eicher, Ross Scott, Shane Knobloch, Ray Dearth, and JC Higginbotham, all preparing to compete in Sixes lacrosse.
“I have a feeling that [Brooks’ leadership] translates over perfectly as being a head coach and to guiding us down the right path for the 2026 season,”
Kaut said.
“He’s going to have, still, the head coach vibe of wanting to get the best out of you, but is going to be your friend at the same time, and it’ll bring more out of the players, rather than just have a coach that’s going to pick and nitpick and scream and yell.”
“It’s going to be a different vibe in the locker room, with what he brings as the energy, and I think he could just as easily still strap it up, no problem, if he really wanted to. So it’s good to have that aspect coming in the locker room to the culture that we already have on the Chaos.”
Brooks’ Coaching Approach Focused on Relationships and Strengths
Brooks explained that his initial focus as head coach will be understanding his players deeply—their personalities, coaching preferences, and what motivates or frustrates them. His philosophy centers on being a “player-style coach,” emphasizing relationship-building and creating an environment where the athletes feel comfortable, enabling the game to feel like the easiest part of their day.
“My first order of business is just to understand who these players are and their strengths,”
Brooks told PLL beat writer Zach Carey.
“My offensive philosophy has always been as a player-style coach, and my first philosophy is always building a relationship with the player. Who they are. What are they like? How do they like to be coached? What makes them go? What puts a red flag up and makes them grip their stick too tight?”
“Ultimately, my job is to make these guys as comfortable as possible so that the game is the easiest part of the day for them. If I can set them up for success and let them focus on their strengths, what got them here, then they don’t have to worry about making an uncharacteristic play.”
Kaut Embraces the Coaching Style He Once Experienced
Kaut respects Brooks’ approach since he benefited from it as a young player. The trust and clear communication embedded in Brooks’ leadership style stand out to Kaut as vital assets for building a strong team culture.
“He’s a wealth of knowledge,” Kaut said.
“He’s had championships at every level of his career. So he understands the game and understands the offense and has a different aspect of it. So it’s going to be good to see him implement what he wants to bring to the table with the pieces that we have, and hopefully be successful.”
Experience and Success Shape Brooks’ Leadership
Brooks brings an extensive professional lacrosse background spanning 18 years, including two championship wins as a player with the Chesapeake Bayhawks in 2012 and 2013. More recently, he contributed as the offensive coordinator for the New York Atlas, guiding them to their first Premier Lacrosse League title.
His diverse roles—teammate, assistant coach, offensive coordinator, and acting head coach—have prepared him thoroughly to steer the Chaos. Brooks’ focus on fostering a relaxed yet competitive atmosphere is poised to resonate well with his players.
“If the guys can understand how my mind works and what my thought process is, maybe they can just relax a little bit and remind themselves of the 12-year-old version of them that got them there,”
Brooks told Carey.
“That they can just go play, have fun and play with that chip on their shoulder without gripping it too tight and thinking about, ‘Oh, if I make a mistake, I’m cut or I’m pulled.’ That’s not my philosophy. Mistakes happen. Turn the page. I want to see how you respond to those mistakes and how we can be better as a team moving forward.”
Building Confidence for 2026 and Beyond
Brooks’ definition of fun emphasizes confidence and instinctive play rather than lax standards. For a goaltender like Kaut, the trust to react without overthinking is crucial, as split-second decisions define the game. This shift in dynamic illustrates how both leaders, once player and mentor, have grown into complementary coaching and leadership roles.
Now serving as an experienced backup to Blaze Riorden and a key locker room presence, Kaut embodies the veteran leadership once nurtured by Brooks. Meanwhile, Brooks steps from the sidelines to lead the Chaos’ quest for the 2026 Championship Series title.
“It’s great to have someone that had such a long career to now come over and really kind of guide us down the path in the 2026 season,”
Kaut said.
