Women's Basketball Head Coach - Ricky Rhodes

Three times in his 10-year tenure, head women's basketball coach Ricky Rhodes has been named the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. That designation is a reflection of the Highlassies' success on the court.

Rhodes has led the team to two NTJCAC conference championships and nine regional tournament appearances. Those teams included 42 all-conference players, 21 all-region players and four NJCAA All-Americans. Last year's squad featured Nicole Walton, a two-time Junior College/Community College State Farm Coaches’ All-American Honorable Mention selection.

Under Rhodes' guidance, the Highlassies have made nine regional tournament appearances. The squad is a regular at the tournament, making an appearance in 21 of the last 23 years.

Rhodes took over the women's program in 1999 after three seasons as an assistant for the men's team. In just his second year, Rhodes had three players named all-conference, with two of those being unanimous choices, and he shared Coach of the Year honors that season with Kim Sebek of Temple College.

After graduating from Waco's Richfield High School in 1986, Rhodes was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1987 and spent five years playing baseball in that organization before attending MCC, where he played basketball. He later transferred to the University of the Incarnate Word, where he led the Crusaders to a Heart of Texas Conference championship in 1994 and a tournament championship the following year.

Rhodes was an all-conference selection both of his years at Incarnate Word and an All-American as a senior. He led the Crusaders in rebounding and assists both years as well.

Rhodes graduated from Incarnate Word in 1995 and earned a master's in physical education from Tarleton State University in 2000.

Rhodes and his wife, Ginger, a teacher at La Vega Elementary, have two daughters: Avery Shea, 11, and Reese Lee, 8; and 3-year-old twin sons, Derrick Lee and Allen Lee.

The Rhodes File

Coaching experience

  • 1999-present: Head coach, McLennan Community College
  • 1995-1999: Assistant men's coach, McLennan Community College

Playing experience

  • 1993-1995: University of the Incarnate Word (basketball)
  • 1992-1993: McLennan Community College (basketball)
  • 1988-1992: New York Yankees (baseball)
  • 1986-1988: Navarro College (baseball)

Education

  • 2000: Master's in physical education, Tarleton State University
  • 1995: Bachelor's in physical education, University of the Incarnate Word
  • 1986: Richfield High School; Waco, Texas