Mike Rhoades leaving VCU to become Penn State coach

In six seasons, Mike Rhoades led VCU to the NCAA tournament three times and the NIT once. He also guided the Rams to Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament titles this season. He's set to earn about $3 million per year at Penn State after making about $1.7 million a year at VCU.

Mike Rhoades compiled a 129-61 record in six seasons at VCU. He also coached 10 seasons at Randolph-Macon and three at Rice.

Mike Rhoades compiled a 129-61 record in six seasons at VCU. He also coached 10 seasons at Randolph-Macon and three at Rice.

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.

Penn State's Board of Trustees met at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday to approve the contract, at which point Rhoades formally accepted and was announced as the head coach. Per multiple reports from Central Pennsylvania news sources, as well as ESPN and CBS Sports, he will make more than $3 million per year to coach the Nittany Lions. Rhoades made about $1.7 million per year at VCU.

The Rams reacted quickly, hiring Utah State's Ryan Odom to be their next coach.

VCU athletic director Ed McLaughlin said Wednesday morning that he will speak with Rhoades. Rhoades did not respond to requests for comment.

At 4:19 p.m. on Wednesday, McLaughlin released a statement via the VCU basketball Twitter account:

"We would like to thank Mike Rhoades for his dedication to the VCU Men's Basketball program and our student-athletes throughout his 11 years and especially the past six years as our head coach," the statement read.

"His efforts helped continue the great traditions of VCU Basketball as a championship program that is focused on our student-athletes while achieving national prominence.

"We wish Coach Rhoades, Jodie and their family all the best at their new home. We are excited for the future of VCU basketball and our focus remains 100 percent on supporting our student-athletes to reach our collective goals."

In turn, Rhoades released a statement thanking the VCU fanbase for their support shortly after Penn State announced he will be its next head coach.

"Thank you VCU! My family and I want to thank you for 11 awesome years. It was a dream come true to coach with so manty special, talented and passionate players and coaches. My players and coaches will always be part of our family ... no matter what!," Rhoades wrote.

"Thank you to all the students and The Peppas for showing up and being loud. Study hard, laugh a lot, follow your dreams and make as many friends as you can. It's all about your journey. Enjoy it!

Thank you! The Rhoades’."

At Penn State, Rhoades will be close to his Central Pennsylvania roots as well as having an opportunity to work in the Big Ten.

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 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 is the 12th coach in VCU history and departs with a record of 129-61 as the Rams’ head coach. The Mahanoy City., Pa., native played his college ball at Lebanon Valley, where he helped The Flying Dutchmen win the 1994 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 Division III tournament appearances, including trips to the Sweet 16 in 2002 and 2003.

It's entirely possible that VCU may still be seeing plenty of Rhoades over the next three seasons.

VCU is currently set to play in the same Thanksgiving tournament as Penn State this upcoming season, and the Rams have traditionally included clauses in head coach's contracts that require a home-and-home series with the coach's new program should they decide to leave.

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's Mike Rhoades, protesting a call during the Rams' season-ending loss to Saint Mary's in the NCAA tournament, said this season was one of his most gratifying as a coach.

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.

Mike Rhoades and the Rams have won 21 of their last 24 games.

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

VCU head coach Mike Rhoades celebrates with superheroes after beating Richmond Spiders in a NCAA basketball game on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia.

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.

Staff writer Eric Kolenich contributed to this report.

Zach Joachim (804) 649-6555

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Twitter: @ZachJoachim

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