Penn State University has made a big splash in the world of college basketball with the announcement that they have officially hired Mike Rhoades as their new head coach. Rhoades, a Pennsylvania native, is best known for his successful tenure at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where he led the team to three NCAA tournament appearances in the last four years.
Penn State Switches to Defensive-Minded Coach
Rhoades’ hiring signifies a major shift in coaching philosophy for Penn State basketball. Unlike his predecessor Micah Shrewsberry who was more focused on offensive strategies, Rhoades is known for his defensive-minded approach to coaching. His teams have been aggressive in generating turnovers and limiting opponent scoring opportunities.
In addition, Rhoades’ offensive strategy is focused on getting shots around the rim and drawing fouls to get to the free throw line. The move is expected to provide a more well-rounded approach to coaching and could prove beneficial in attracting top recruits to Penn State.
Rhoades is Expected to Elevate Penn State’s Basketball Program
After Shrewsberry’s departure from PSU just after leading them to their first NCAA tournament appearance in over a decade, many were concerned with how the program would fare moving forward. With Rhoades now at the helm, those worries appear unfounded.
Rhoades has achieved great success in recent years, leading VCU to an average of 22.2 wins over the past five seasons. His teams have been known for their consistent performance and ability to compete against top-tier programs.
Furthermore, Rhoades has done well in recruiting critical regions for Penn State basketball, including Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware, Baltimore, Virginia, Ohio, and Michigan. He also has significant family ties to Pennsylvania and is returning home after successful stints at Rice and VCU. All signs point towards Rhoades bringing a wealth of experience, talent, and a winning mentality to Penn State.
Penn State’s Long-term Success with Rhoades as Coach
Most importantly for Penn State, the long-term success of the basketball program seems to be better positioned under Rhoades than it would have been had Shrewsberry stayed. Kraft’s roots in Indiana were used to help lure Rhoades to Penn State, showing Kraft’s understanding of what is important in college basketball.
With lucrative television contracts allowing for big hires like Rhoades, it is clear that Penn State is committed to investing in the future of their basketball program. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting the start of the season to see what kind of success Rhoades can bring to Happy Valley.
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