individual. They want to be successful.”
Rhoades graduated from Lebanon Valley in 1995 with a degree in history and promptly went to work on his basketball career.
In the summer of 1995, he was invited to the Phoenix Suns summer camp, but NBA owners locked out the players in July. Rhoades took his ball went to France for what he calls, “a brief stint,” before he was let go. Rhoades worked as a substitute teacher and aimed for another shot at the pros, but a broken ankle that February convinced him it was time to move into coaching.
In May of 1996, Rhoades interviewed for and ac-
cepted a position under Hal Nunnally at Division III Randolph-Macon in Ashland, Va.
Rhoades spent three successful years under Nunnal- ly, but in March of 1999, the longtime coach had to retire due to a myriad of health problems. Nunnally went to the school’s president and recommended Rhoades, who would agree to take over the storied Yellow Jackets’ program before his 26th birthday.
“That was the question, is he ready,” Rhoades said of his hire. “But when I was 20 years old as a junior in college, I was sitting in the office with Coach (Pat) Flannery watching tape. In the summer, my summer job was basketball camps. I’ve never had a real job to this day. So, I thought I was ready. I knew what I needed to do.”
Apparently, Rhoades was right.
In 10 seasons, the Yellow Jackets were 197-76 and made four NCAA Tournament appearances. During the 2002-03 season, Randolph-Macon grabbed the nation’s No. 1 ranking for several weeks, captured the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tourna- ment and reached the NCAA Sweet 16. Rhoades was named ODAC Coach of the Year, his third such honor, as well as NABC South District Coach of the Year and State Coach of the Year by the Richmond- Times Dispatch.
“The qualities that Mike possessed as a player lend themselves well to coaching,” says Flannery. “Mike could have gone out and got 40 points every night, but there’s night’s he’d go out and get 15 assists, or that he’d be the best defensive player on the floor. He learned the game right and he knows what it’s about.”
How did a 26-year old guy with three just three sea- sons of coaching experience under his belt achieve so much? With players that are willing to outwork everybody else.
“Of course you always have to see the talent,” Rhoades said. “But I also want that kid that has an edge, that’s very competitive, hates to lose, but knows how to handle it. I just think, if kids aren’t afraid to compete and have that edge about being successful, they’ll find a way. I love tough kids.”
PERSONAL
Birthdate: September 21, 1972 Hometown: Mahanoy City, Pa.
Family: Jodie (Wife), Logan (6), Porter (4) and Chase (2)
EDUCATION Undergraduate:
Lebanon Valley, 1995 Master’s:
VCU, 2002 (Sport Leadership) PLAYING EXPERIENCE College:
Lebanon Valley, 1991-94
Professional: France, 1995
COACHING EXPERIENCE 1996-1999:
Randolph Macon Assistant Coach
1999-2009:
Randolph Macon Head Coach
2009-present: VCU
Assistant Coach 17
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