It's Mental Health Awareness Month, and we're launching our “Campus Care Collective” series with William Middlebrooks, Deputy Athletic Director, Leadership Strategist, and Basketball Program Director at Lincoln University in Oakland, California. From college basketball player to high school coach at age 18, Coach Middlebrooks shares how mental health fuels athletic success and lifelong prosperity. He warns against desperation-driven sports decisions while coaching parents to prioritize personal value over financial prospects. Through programming designed with his wife, athletes build mental resilience, conflict resolution, organizational skills, and real-world grounding through jobs and community service. After leading teams to championships, he teaches true success balances on-court wins with off-court intentionality, which is where most athletes actually build their wealth. Coach Middlebrooks completed his MBA in Finance, Policy and Law at Southern Utah University, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management at Ashford University in Chandler, Arizona. He is known for developing high-performing teams while prioritizing mental wellness and personal growth. Often called “The People’s Coach,” Middlebrooks blends athletics, leadership, and life development to help student-athletes and professionals build resilience, manage pressure, and lead with purpose. His programs have produced championship teams, academic standouts, and transformational personal outcomes — all rooted in a culture that values mental health as a cornerstone of sustained success. To learn more about Coach Middlebrooks, connect with him on IG @williampmiddlebrooks or visit his website at WilliamMiddlebrooks.com or LincolnUCA.edu.