Rumors have been swirling over the last 72 hours that VCU head coach Mike Rhoades has been considering an offer from Penn State for its head coaching vacancy. Jon Rothstein tweeted last night that the offer includes a salary in excess of $3 million per year:
Sources: Penn State has offered its head coaching vacancy to VCU's Mike Rhoades, with an annual salary in excess of $3 million dollars.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 28, 2023
This morning, Pete Thamel further substantiated that rumor indicating that Rhoades is working through a few contract issues, with a decision expected today:
Sources: Penn State is in discussions with VCU’s Mike Rhoades to be the school’s next head coach. There’s a few lingering issues, including board approval of the contract. A decision is expected today.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 29, 2023
Dick Weiss, a highly reputable sports writer, posted last night that this deal is done:
it's done. Mike Rhoades to Penn State. Nice guy from central Pennsylvania whose VCU team played fun style, made tournament. Will be starting from scratch in the B1G. Rooting for him.
— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) March 29, 2023
Penn State as a basketball program is not an upgrade in comparison to VCU, but perhaps more of a lateral move. PSU’s basketball facilities are second-rate, and the program has not seen the level of success the Rams have realized over the last decade. However, it’s hard to pass up on an offer of $3 million / year. Further, Mike Rhoades is a central Pennsylvania native, so a return to his home state may have certain appeal.
Where things have become really interesting is that it appears Utah State’s Ryan Odom may be offered the VCU head coaching vacancy, if it is in fact true that Rhoades is leaving. Weiss reported late last night:
Ryan Odom leaves Utah State, resurfaces on East Coast as head coach at VCU. Great get for Rams. Welcome back coach huge fan of your dad.
— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) March 29, 2023
It’s difficult to say with any degree of certainty where things stand, as these are currently just rumors and reports. However, one can infer that this is almost certainly a reality simply by looking at the recent tweets by Jalen DeLoach and Ace Baldwin:
Lol why they want our coach ??????
— D I F F E R E N T ? (@JalenDeloach) March 29, 2023
??????
— D I F F E R E N T ? (@JalenDeloach) March 29, 2023
??…
— Buttons Son (@yeah_ace3) March 29, 2023
At this point, with the silence from coaching staff, and rapid development and interest in this story, we should expect to know a final decision by the end of the day.
