St. Norbert brings back former assistant

Derek Rhodes has been named head men's soccer coach at St. Norbert, athletics director Tim Bald announced.

Rhodes has coached the last four seasons as the head boys' soccer coach at Ashwaubenon High School (2008-2011). From 2004 to 2007, Rhodes was an assistant coach at St. Norbert under his father, Dale, when the Green Knights won three Midwest Conference championships and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament three times.

He replaces Andy Steger, who finished his tenure with a 32-37-3 record in four seasons, including a 2-14-1 mark last season. The Green Knights' best season under Steger was his first, a 13-6 mark in 2008. St. Norbert also qualified for the Midwest Conference tournament in 2008 and 2009.

"We are pleased Derek Rhodes will be leading the St. Norbert College men's soccer program," Bald said. "Derek has an understanding of the mission of St. Norbert College and is directly familiar with successful programs in our recent past. He has the enthusiasm and technical experience to make an impact."

Under Rhodes, Ashwaubenon finished 59-26-9. The Jaguars won the Fox River Classic Conference in 2010, their first conference championship in 19 years. Ashwaubenon also won the FRCC West Division title in 2008.

"I am very excited to once again be part of the St. Norbert men's soccer program," Rhodes said. "I can't wait to meet with the players and continue to build on the past tradition of the program."

During Rhodes' tenure as an assistant at St. Norbert, the Green Knights posted a 61-14-4 overall record and went 34-1-1 in Midwest Conference play. The 2004 squad finished 17-1-2 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the Division III NCAA Tournament, while the 2006 team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Rhodes, a De Pere native, was a decorated college player at the University of Massachusetts. Rhodes was a first-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection during his senior year of 2002, and was also an All-New England Selection. Rhodes helped the Minutemen to a pair of A-10 regular-season championships, one A-10 Tournament title and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 2001.

Rhodes is the general manager and director of coaching for the Sports Emporium in De Pere. He has also been involved in coaching for De Pere Select Soccer since 2007, and holds a USSF "C" National Coaching License.