Rodney Billups feeling right at home as new DU coach
The CU assistant and former point guard is back with the Pioneers to spark their men’s basketball team.
Rodney Billups was introduced with a standing ovation Monday as the University of Denver turned to one of its former stars to revive its men’s basketball program.
“I’ve always been a Pioneer,” said Billups, 33. “I’m excited. I’m home.”
Billups, who was a point guard when he played for the Pioneers, said he will install an up- tempo offense.
“I plan to play a very fast and entertaining brand of basketball that will capture the fans that we’ve lost, the loyal fans that we still have and the former players who are waiting for fun times again,” he said. “My philosophies will always be defending and rebounding. Offensively we are going to recruit players and develop the players that we already have to be very confident and skilled to compete for championships.”
Billups replaces Joe Scott, who was fired Friday after his ninth season at DU. Billups surfaced as the top candidate for the job almost immediately after Scott was let go.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Rodney back to DU and couldn’t be more excited to have him take over the leadership of our men’s basketball program,” said athletic director Peg Bradley- Doppes. “Rodney is a dynamic, energetic coach with a passion for the collegiate game. He exemplifies the type of individual our university is proud to have representing us.”
Billups has spent the past six years working at the University of Colorado, the past four on the coaching staff.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling that I return to DU,” Billups said. “I am very thankful for
the opportunity.”
During his time at CU, the Buffaloes have won 130 games and qualified for the NCAA Tournament five times.
“Rodney has all the qualities to be a terrific head coach at the Division I level,” said CU coach Tad Boyle. “He has been instrumental in our success.”
DU sophomore Christian Mackey said he was disappointed Scott was let go but fully supports Billups.
“Coach Billups emphasized that we’re going to be a family,” Mackey said. “I’ll miss Coach Scott as a coach and a mentor.”
Added senior guard Bryant Rucker: “It’s an opportunity and maybe a jumpstart to a new chapter. I don’t think the program had gotten stale, but maybe it needed a new face.”
Billups graduated from George Washington High School in 2001 and was DU’s starting point guard from 2002- 05. He averaged 8.5 points, 4.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game with the Pioneers.
After graduating from DU with a degree in business management in 2005, Billups played professional basketball in Latvia and Finland before turning his attention to coaching. Hewas hired by CU in 2010 as its director of basketball operations and was promoted to assistant coach two years later. His contract with DU is a five- year deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed.
Billups will stay with CU as long as it is in the NCAA Tournament; the Buffaloes’ opener is Thursday against UConn in Des Moines, Iowa. As to whom he might hire for his DU coaching staff, Billups mentioned Ricardo Patton, a former CU coach.
To the DU players in attendance Monday, Billups said, “Let’s go win some games together!”