Mike Rhoades reveals what Penn State basketball's identity will be under his watch

Former VCU coach Mike Rhoades is now the man in charge at Penn State, and he couldn’t be more excited to get going.

Rhoades is making his rounds in Happy Valley, as he was on the sidelines at the Nittany Lions’ football squad’s spring game on Saturday. Speaking with the Big Ten Network, the freshly-minted leader of the Penn State basketball program elaborated on how it still feels like a dream.

“Unreal, unreal. Unbelievable,” stated Rhoades. “The people, the relationships, to get to this place, the place I’ve cheered for all my life, and to be the head coach, it’s just special.”

Additionally, Rhoades fired up the Penn State fanbase afterwards, explaining what to expect from his team next season.

“We’re always going to play hard, but we’re going to be exciting and aggressive,” added Rhoades. “We’re going to build this thing to win, and win big. Nothing else.”

That’ll do it. Penn State basketball had a fantastic season last year, but the future remains bright under Mike Rhoades in Happy Valley.

More on Mike Rhoades, Penn State Men’s Basketball

Continuing, Mike Rhoades signed a seven-year contract worth $3.4 million per year to start, according to the university. Each year, he’ll receive a $100,000 raise, taking him up to $4 million per year by the final year of the deal.

In addition, Rhoades’ buyout is $15 million for his first year and will drop by $3 million each year. After the fifth season — in which the buyout is $3 million — it will decrease to $1.5 million before becoming $0 after the contract runs out in 2030.

As far as incentives go, Rhoades could make up to $1.075 million in bonus. That includes $150,000 if he leads Penn State to at least a share of the Big Ten championship and $50,000 if he wins Big Ten Coach of the Year. In addition, an NCAA Tournament appearance would earn him $100,000 and he’d secure $75,000 for each win in the big dance.

Rhoades led VCU to an A-10 championship this year and a March Madness appearance after winning the conference tournament. The Rams finished the season 27-8 overall and 15-3 record in conference play before their season came to an end against Saint Mary’s in the NCAA Tournament.

Now, he’s gearing up to take over for Micah Shrewsberry, who left to become the new head coach at Notre Dame.

Shrewsberry just wrapped up his second season with Penn State and turned the Nittany Lions around in a big way, leading them to a 23-14 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Big Ten play to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011. Their season came to an end in the second round against Texas.