Rick Rhoades (2014) - Hall of Fame - Troy University Athletics

Rick Rhoades

Induction:
2014

Rick Rhoades has a distinct place in Troy’s football history as one of three coaches in school history to win a national championship. Rhoades three seasons as the Trojans’ head coach led to a pair of Gulf South Conference titles and the 1987 NCAA Division II National Championship; he also won a national title as Troy’s defensive coordinator in 1984.

“Rick Rhoades was a very good, very tough coach,” said Kenny Edenfield, who played for Rhoades and is currently Troy’s offensive coordinator. “He expected a lot out of you, but he always knew when to pat you on the back. He gave me my first college coaching job and I am very grateful for that opportunity. I learned a lot from Coach Rhoades and am glad I got the chance to play for him and learn from him.”

The Trojans rolled off 12 straight wins to close out the 1987 season including a 31-17 victory over Portland State in the title game, for which Rhoades was named the National Coach of the Year.

The run to the title featured several thrilling games as the Trojans forced eight turnovers in a 31-10 semifinal victory over Central Florida. Against UT-Martin in Week 10, the Trojans broke the school record for the second time during the season, rolling up 633 yards in the win. Troy scored 40 points or more in five games that season and 30 or more points 10 times. The Trojans would not be denied in the national title game, rallying form a 10-3 halftime deficit to pull out a 31-17 win over Portland State and their second national title in four years.

Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member Mike Turk was the quarterback of the 1987 championship team. Turk led an offense that averaged 430.4 yards per game. In Rhoades’ offensive system, Turk set a championship game record with 190 rushing yards on 25 carries. He was named to the All-America team following his senior season and was runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy.

Rhoades complied a 28-7-1 record in his three seasons at Troy and won all six of his games against in-state rivals Jacksonville State and West Alabama. The Trojans posted a 22-2 Gulf South Conference record during his tenure and won 19 of their final 20 league games.

“He always pushed you to become a better player and play the game the right way. Sometimes it got really hard, but the reason we were successful is that he expected the best from us,” Edenfield said. “He was an excellent coach, he really taught us a lot. There were some tough lessons learned, but he was always the first to pat you on the back when you needed it.”

A graduate of Central Missouri State, Rhoades went on to serve as the head coach at Southern Illinois for one season before taking over as the offensive line coach at Alabama for one season and the offensive coordinator at Kentucky for two seasons. He later went on to serve as the head coach at Nicholls State and Delta State.

Rhoades has spent the last seven seasons coaching in Austria, Sweden and France. As head coach of the Graz Giants in the Austrian Football League, Rhoades led the team to Austrian Bowl every year from 2007-2011 winning it in 2008. Under Rhoades, the Giants reached the EuroBowl semifinals four times. He is currently the head coach for the La Courneuve Flash in France.