Former Liberty forward Kyle Rode is returning to Lynchburg as an assistant coach for the Flames, the school announced Friday.
“Seven years ago when we first began recruiting Kyle, I had a feeling this day would come,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay in a school release. “There haven’t been many that I’ve been around that possess the leadership gifts, basketball IQ and genuine care for others that Kyle has displayed. His investment and subsequent ownership in Liberty University and our basketball program is exemplary. I know his impact will continue to be experienced in and throughout all aspects of our program.”
Rode returns to Liberty following a five-year player career with the Flames from 2019-24. After graduation, he spent the last year playing for the Austin Spurs, the NBA G League affiliate of the San Antion Spurs, as well as for EWE Baskets Oldenburg in Germany.
“I am so grateful to be back at Liberty,” said Rode in a release. “I can’t wait to get to work and serve the team and staff in any way I can. I love this school and am excited to be a part of this program every day again.”
During his playing career, Rode was part of two conference championship titles in the ASUN in 2020 and 2021 as well as three regular season crowns. He ended his Liberty carer with 1,498 points (No. 14 in school history), 627 rebounds (No. 12 in school history), 467 assists (No. 6 in school history), and 269 three-pointers (No. 2i n school history). He is one of two players in program history to be ranked in the top 15 in career points, rebounds, and assists.
Rode joins a Liberty staff alongside Stelios Tzoutzis who was announced as joining the staff earlier this week. The Flames’ men’s basketball staff also includes Associate Head Coach Derek Johnston as well as assistant coaches Zach Farquhar and Stephen Burggraf, each of whom played for Liberty under McKay.
