VCU welcomes Rhoades back

RICHMOND, VA. >> Mike Rhoades received what felt like a hero’s welcome when he returned to Virginia to be introduced Wednesday as VCU’s next men’s basketball coach.

The popular former assistant was re-introduced to Rams fans Wednesday at the Siegel Center, where his work over five years with Shaka Smart endeared him to the VCU faithful. A crowd of several hundred people, many on their lunch break, welcomed him with a standing ovation and raucous cheers.

“This is a dream come true to me and my family to be the head coach at VCU, to be standing here representing the Rams. I’m truly humbled and very appreciative,” Rhoades told the crowd.

He had them screaming even louder when he assured them that unlike his predecessor Will Wade, who left after only two years for LSU, he is home.

“We’ve been on a ride for a long time and the ride stops here,” he said, drawing perhaps the loudest cheers during the news conference.

“This is home. This is home and I love it here, my family loves it here,” he said later, adding that when his flight arrived Tuesday night there were more than 20 friends he considers family to greet him, his wife and three children. “Our roots are already here. We just came back to connect them.”

Rhoades’ return was announced less than 24 hours after Wade resigned. Rhoades has spent the last three seasons turning around the program at Rice. The Owls won 23 games this season, one short of their winningest season ever, and played in the CBI Tournament. The year before Rhoades’ arrival, Rice finished just 7-23.

At Rice, Rhoades a 47-52 record.

Wade’s resignation shook the VCU fan base, but athletic director Ed McLaughlin said he knew immediately who he wanted to be the next coach “and got right into action.”

The AD said he met with the basketball team Tuesday morning and told them the next time they saw him, he’d be accompanied by their new coach. McLaughlin then flew to Houston, reached an agreement with Rhoades and returned Tuesday night, with Rhoades and his family, for another team meeting. compiled

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS VCU’s new men’s basketball head coach, Mike Rhoades waits to be introduced during a press conference at the VCU Siegel Center in Richmond, Va., Wednesday.