Rhodes hires DeGeorge to take over Men's Basketball Program

Rhodes hires DeGeorge to take over Men's Basketball Program

(Story taken from the Rhodes College website)

MEMPHIS, Tenn.
- Mike DeGeorge has been named Rhodes Head Men’s Basketball Coach. Coach DeGeorge most recently served as the Head Basketball Coach at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where he transformed the Cornell program from three wins in 2005-06 to 21 wins in 2008-09.

The 2008-09 Cornell squad captured the school’s first Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Championship and earned the school’s first NCAA tournament berth in fifteen years. Coach DeGeorge was named the IIAC Coach of the Year in 2008-09.

“I am very excited to coach basketball at Rhodes College. I was drawn to Rhodes by the great academic reputation, the beautiful campus, the first-class facilities and the ideal location in midtown Memphis,” said Coach DeGeorge. “On my campus visit, it was obvious the people are what make this truly a remarkable place. President Troutt and Coach Clary have been tremendous throughout this process and I am grateful they have entrusted me with moving the program forward.”

Coach DeGeorge steps into the position vacated by Herb Hilgeman, Rhodes all-time winningest basketball coach, who announced his retirement after the 2009-10 season. Coach DeGeorge went on to say, “Coach Hilgeman has had a remarkable career. To follow the legacy Coach Hilgeman has built is both an honor and a challenge. I am looking forward to the opportunity to add to the great tradition of Rhodes Basketball.”

Prior to taking over the Cornell program, Coach DeGeorge served as the Head Basketball Coach at Eureka College (IL) from 2000-2004. At Eureka he also transformed their program into a winner where the 2003-04 squad won 17 games, the most wins for Eureka in over a decade.

Coach DeGeorge is 1992 graduate of Monmouth College (IL), where he majored in Psychology and played four years of basketball and golf. During his career at Monmouth he participated in two NCAA tournaments.

“We are very excited about Mike DeGeorge joining the Rhodes family. He was selected from 172 applicants for the head basketball position,” said Mike Clary, Rhodes Director of Athletics. “We feel very fortunate to attract a proven head coach who is committed to our values and mission at Rhodes.” 

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