Mike Rhoades leaving Rice University basketball for VCU head coaching job

HOUSTON – Head basketball coach Mike Rhoades is leaving Rice University to return to Virginia Commonwealth University, sources told KPRC 2 Sports.

Rhoades was an assistant coach at VCU for five years before accepting the head coaching position for the Owls in 2014. He went 47-52 in his three seasons at Rice.

Rice was eliminated by Utah Valley in the College Basketball Invitational Monday night, finishing the season at 23-12.

The VCU job opened up after Will Wade reportedly accepted the open head coaching position at Louisiana State University.

Rhoades, 44, was head coach at Randolph-Macon from 1999 through 2009.

Officials at Rice are not commenting as the university is expected to begin its search for a replacement.