John Rhodes steps down as head men’s basketball coach at Ohio Northern University

By Tim Glon

ADA — John Rhodes has stepped down as head men's basketball coach at Ohio Northern University to take an assistant coaching position at NCAA Division I Duquesne of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Rhodes compiled a 39-41 record in his three seasons as head coach of the Polar Bears.

The search for a new head basketball coach is underway.

"We greatly appreciate the dedication, commitment and effort John gave to the ONU men's basketball program," ONU Director of Athletics Tom Simmons said. "He always had our student-athletes' best interests in mind. While we are sorry to lose a great person, we are happy for his professional advancement. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

Rhodes was only the sixth head men's basketball coach at ONU since 1949 and replaced Jeff Coleman, who went 73-34 in four seasons.

 "I am very thankful and appreciative for the opportunity to teach and coach at such a fine institution as Ohio Northern," Rhodes said. "I am leaving with mixed emotions. I will do whatever I can to help our student-athletes stay focused on their goals of graduating with a degree and winning championships, both of which I am convinced are attainable. I also want to thank everyone in the Polar Bear nation for their support and the way my family and I were welcomed into the community."

The Polar Bear men's basketball team finished 14-14 overall and was sixth in the Ohio Athletic Conference with an 8-10 mark in 2011-12.