Upon taking the position in March of 2017, VCU men’s basketball coach Mike Rhoades described his new post as a “dream job.”
“We’ve been on a ride for a long time, and this ride stops here, Mom, at VCU,” Rhoades said, bringing the crowd in a lively Siegel Center to its feet.
Rhoades delivered three NCAA tournaments in six years, but will now reportedly follow the footsteps of past Rams coaches who have sought greener pastures, and take the head job at Penn State.
The Penn State board of trustees approved a seven-year deal worth $25.9 million for Rhoades, according to the Associated Press. He replaces Micah Shrewsberry, who was hired away by Notre Dame last week.
At Penn State, Rhoades will be close to his Central Pennsylvania roots, as well as have an opportunity to work in the Big Ten.
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When Rhoades was hired, he became the third Rams coach in four seasons, following the departures of Shaka Smart (Texas, now Marquette) and Will Wade (LSU, now McNeese State).
Words like stability and continuity dominated the narrative around the former Randolph-Macon assistant-turned-head coach (1996-2009), as VCU supporters yearned for a long-term commitment from their head coach while the program developed a nationwide reputation as a mid-major stepping stone.
“You look at any program that has a huge amount of success on the college level, whether it’s Gonzaga basketball or Alabama football, continuity is important,” said VCU director of athletics Ed McLaughlin in 2017 following Rhoades’ introduction.
“Continuity to do things at a really high level is critically important. Mike made it clear from the first two or three minutes we talked this is the place he wants to be forever.”
Rhoades was married here, and his kids were born here. Upon arriving in Richmond after spending three seasons revitalizing the program at Rice, he and his family were greeted by a throng of friends. His wife, Jodie, their three children and Rhoades’ mother and sister all attended his introductory press conference.
The realistic VCU fan doesn’t begrudge the carousel that is head coaching in college basketball. Penn State for Rhoades symbolizes a step up the ladder. Though football is the Nittany Lions’ standard-bearing athletic program, increased salary and NIL / recruiting opportunities are sure to come along with life in Happy Valley.
But given Rhoades’ deep connections to the Richmond area, many had hoped his roots would compel him to stay, if not “forever,” at least past the first Power Five offer he garnered publicly.
“This is home,” Rhoades said in 2017. “I love it here. My family loves it here. … Everybody knows my affection for VCU and VCU basketball.
“Our roots are already here. We just came back to connect with them.”
Rhoades, the 12th coach in VCU history, also has roots in Pennsylvania. The Mahoney City., Pa. native played his college ball at Lebanon Valley College, where he helped The Flying Dutchmen win the 1994 NCAA Division III national championship.
In 10 seasons as head coach at R-MC, Rhoades compiled a 197-76 record and led the Yellow Jackets to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the Sweet 16 in 2002 and 2003.
From the archives: Mike Rhoades
VCU coach Mike Rhoades has made the NCAA tournament three times in six seasons at the school.
VCU coach Mike Rhoades and Adrian Baldwin Jr. talk strategy for the Rams' Dec. 31 game against La Salle.
VCU head coach Mike Rhoades walks by a small crowd gathered to send off the VCU men’s basketball team as they departed Richmond on Wednesday for their first game in the 2023 NCAA tournament in Albany, NY.
Top-seeded VCU and coach Mike Rhoades may have to win the Atlantic 10 tournament to ensure an NCAA tournament berth.
Virginia Commonwealth head coach Mike Rhoades talks to his team during the second half of a NCAA basketball game between Radford University and Virginia Commonwealth University on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Seigal Center in Richmond, Virginia. 12/16/2022: The Rams had a season-high 25 turnovers against Radford on Wednesday night. "We could be a good team if we don't turn the ball over, but we'll continue to struggle on offense when you give the other team the ball," said coach Mike Rhoades. SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH The Rams had a season-high 25 turnovers against Radford on Wednesday night. "We could be a good team if we don't turn the ball over, but we'll continue to struggle on offense when you give the other team the ball," said coach Mike Rhoades. SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Virginia Commonwealth head coach Mike Rhoades walks to his bench during the second half of a NCAA basketball game between Jacksonville Dolphins and the VCU Rams on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 in Richmond, Virginia.
VCU men's basketball head coach Mike Rhoades is shown at Navy game at VCU in Richmond, Va., on December 21, 2022.
Mike Rhoades reached into his right pants pocket and fished out a small object. It was a rock, nondescript, not much different from millions of other rocks. Except to Rhoades.
File photo by Charlie Leffler Entering his third season at VCU, former R-MC head basketball coach Mike Rhoades, above left, has been promoted to the Rams’ associate head coach position. Rhoades proved a vital part of Shaka Smart’s (right) coaching staff during their run to the 2011 NCAA Final Four.
VCU's head coach Shaka Smart (center), associate head coach Mike Rhoades (back, left) and assistant coach Will Wade (back,right) direct traffic as VCU's Troy Daniels (30), (foreground) defends against a Virginia Union University player during the first half of an exhibition game at the Siegel Center in Richmond VA Thurs. Nov. 1, 2012.
