Friday, May 10, 2019
by Concordia Athletic Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -Concordia University Vice President & Director of Athletics Lauren Eads has announced the hiring of Rodrick Rhodes as the Cavalier men's basketball coach.  Rhodes becomes the fifth head coach in the history of the Concordia men's basketball program.  

"I am thrilled to welcome Coach Rhodes and his family to the Concordia community!" said Eads. "Rodrick shares Concordia's vision for success in the classroom, on the court and in the community. He brings to the program experience in NCAA Division II and a belief in the DII Life in the Balance philosophy. His genuine care and love for his student-athletes along with his exceptional ability to develop basketball players is the perfect match for Concordia men's basketball.  The Rhodes Era will provide Cavalier fans with a high-energy brand of basketball!"

Rhodes comes to Concordia from Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent, Northwest Nazarene, where he was the assistant men's basketball coach for the Nighthawks since 2017-18.  He help lead the Nighthawks to their second appearance in the GNAC Basketball Championships in school history.  Northwest Nazarene won 20 games for the first time since 2000-01 and was ranked twice in the top 25 in the nation during the regular season. 

"I would like to thank the Concordia University Administration and Athletic Director Lauren Eads for this opportunity," said Rhodes. "I am grateful to be part of the Concordia University family. The Athletic Department's energy and vision for the future are exciting, and I look forward to helping realize that vision. I aim to build up young men of character into productive student athletes and contributing members of society. I am excited to positively impact the Concordia University community, Concordia Men's Basketball Program, and the city of Portland."    

Prior to becoming a member of the Nighthawk coaching staff, Rhodes was the head boys' basketball coach at The Cordia High School in Hazard, Kentucky, from 2011 to 2017. Cordia, which is the smallest high school in the state, captured the 2016 All-A Region 14 championship and then the 2016 All-A Kentucky State Tournament championship.  The 2014 season was highlighted as the most winning season in school history at 24-9 and included a Region 14 championship.

Before moving to Kentucky, Rhodes was the assistant men's basketball coach at the University of Texas-Pan American from 2009-11.  He also served on the staffs at Seton Hall University (2008-09), University of Massachusetts (2007-08), Idaho State University (2006-07) and St. Edward's University (2005-06).

Rhodes was a first-round draft pick of the Houston Rockets in 1997 following his senior season at the University of Southern California (USC) and was a member of the All-Rookie team during the 1998 NBA All-Star Weekend.  Besides being a member of the Houston Rockets, Rhodes' professional career included time with the Vancouver Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks along with playing in Athens, Greece, and in the Philippines. 

The 1992 McDonald's High School All-American and three-time Parade High School All-American, Rhodes played his first three collegiate seasons at the University of Kentucky.  He earned All-Freshman SEC honors and was Third Team All-SEC as a sophomore and a Second Team All-SEC as a junior.  Rhodes transferred to USC after his senior campaign where he was the 1997 PAC-10 Newcomer of the Year and the Fred Hessler Award recipient.