The Penn State head basketball coach continues working to advance the program’s Name, Image and Likeness efforts.

On March 23, 2023, Mike Rhoades became the 15th head coach of Penn State men’s basketball. He took the position not having a single recruit to his name and a depleted roster.

Added to the chaos of becoming a new head coach, Rhoades had to put together a staff and figure out how to fill out his team.

He got to work immediately, bringing in Atlantic 10 Player and Defensive Player of the Year Ace Baldwin Jr. and his VCU teammate Nick Kern Jr. Then came transfers Zach Hicks and Puff Johnson. Rhoades then went on to sign Bragi Guðmundsson, the lone freshman on the team last season.

Before you knew it, Rhoades had maximized the transfer portal and put together a full 15-man crew that went on to win 16 games and earn nine conference wins (the second most by a first-year head coach in program history).

During that 2023-24 season, Rhoades and his staff worked behind the scenes to recruit and plan for the future. Coming into the new year, Penn State added five freshmen and capitalized on the transfer portal again with four key transfers. All in all, Rhoades’ incoming class ranked 30th while the transfer additions were 50th according to 247Sports.

Now, one year and eight months later, the difference between where Penn State was when it came to recruiting and where it is now is practically night and day.

A WIDER NET FOR BIGGER RECRUITS, A SMALLER NET FOR SPECIFIC ONES

Mike Rhoades speaking with the media ahead of Friday’s clash with Virginia Tech. Photo via Penn State Athletics.

When Rhoades took over at Penn State, he simply had to assemble a roster for the upcoming season. Knowing that, he didn’t have many filters on his search for players.

“You know, when you have to get such a large number, you’re still pinpointing talent and the right fits, but you’re also, you know, it’s [just] such a bigger net,” Rhoades said at Wednesday’s media availability.

Compare that process to how Penn State approached the 2024 class and it’s evident that time was on its side.

“This year we zeroed in on specific guys and specific fits and needs and I felt… that we [were] just a little more pinpoint and a little more strategic in what we wanted,” he said.

Rhoades described how the incoming freshmen and transfers fit better with how he wants to play this year, with an emphasis on versatility and shooting.

Both of those priorities seem to have been achieved with players like Dominick Stewart showing potential as a 3-and-D guard and Yanic Konan Niederhauser providing defensive flexibility.

SWISS IS ONE WAY TO DESCRIBE PENN STATE’S BLOWOUT VICTORY IN ITS SEASON OPENER | TAKEAWAYS

Yanic Konan Niederhauser shows his defensive abilities out on the perimeter against Binghamton in the season opener. Brennan Valladares | Nittany Sports Now

In a short amount of time, Mike Rhoades has established a knack for coaching under duress and bringing in high-level talent that complements his playstyle.

THE FUTURE IS SPELLED NIL

Rhoades understands that name, image and likeness are a part of the college sports world now. And as a self-proclaimed “pit bull with manners”, he is willing to do whatever it takes to build a winning program at Penn State.

Mike Rhoades on Building a Winning Program: “I’m Going to be a Pit Bull with Manners”

To do so, Rhoades knows he’ll have to work closely with Athletic Director Pat Kraft. So far, their relationship has been moving in a positive direction.

“You know, what is great is I have an [athletic director] who I can walk into his office and talk to him about [NIL] and talk to him about all different things and moving the program forward,” said Rhoades.

The Penn State coach further said that Kraft has been supportive of growing NIL and that both have “found different ways to improve [NIL] tremendously.”

“I’m always going to hammer that away because the better [NIL] gets, the better opportunity and support we can give our guys,” Rhoades said.

“1A on my list is recruiting guys that fit Penn State basketball. 1B is being able to provide support for them at a high level so that they want to be here.”

As adaptable as Rhoades wants his players to be, he has shown the ability and willingness to adapt to the demands of modern-day recruiting.

Since Mike Rhoades accepted the job at Penn State – exactly one year, seven months and 22 days ago – recruiting and advancements in NIL are in a much better place and continuing to progress. Maybe in another 602 days, things will look even more different.