Penn State hires local product to replace Micah Shrewsberry

Penn State has named VCU’s Mike Rhoades, a Pennsylvania native, as their new basketball head coach.

A homegrown product is returning to the place where he grew up as Mike Rhoades, formerly of VCU, has accepted the head coaching job at Penn State.

The longtime Rams coach and Pennsylvania native returns to Happy Valley to replace the recently departed Micah Shrewsberry, who accepted the job at Notre Dame after leading Penn State to an impressive Big Ten Tournament run and win over Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament.

The news doesn’t come as a shock, although the fans in Richmond probably wished that it didn’t happen. Coincidentally, it’s the second time they lost a coach to a different school after losing to Saint Mary’s in the NCAA Tournament. First, it was Will Wade, and now Mike Rhoades. Who will replace Rhoades in Richmond remains to be seen.

Penn State hires Mike Rhoades to be the next basketball head coach following the departure of Micah Shrewsberry to Notre Dame

When Mike Rhoades arrived at VCU, the Rams program was coming off the sudden departure of Will Wade to LSU. Rhoades and Wade were previously assistants under Shaka Smart, who helped guide the Rams to the 2011 Final Four before losing out to Butler and Brad Stevens in the semi-finals.

Rhoades’ tenure at VCU included the return of Smart to campus when Mo Bama and Texas arrived and the emotional win over Wade and LSU. Last season, Rhoades and the Rams captured the A-10 regular season championship and won the conference tournament over Dayton, securing a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

All eyes now turn to how VCU will replace Rhoades and what his departure will mean for the roster. It is highly possible some players will transfer from the program and maybe follow Rhoades to Happy Valley. It’s going to be a long offseason for the Black and Gold, but for Penn State, they get a quality coach to help them continue success in the Big Ten.