Ladd Rhodes is in his third year as hitting instructor and outfield coach at Jones College.
It is the second stint for Rhodes as assistant coach at JCJC. He also holds the unique distinction of winning championships at Jones as both a player and as a coach.
This past season, the Bobcats were 38-11 and finished second in the MACJC. Jones had a .324 team batting average.
In 2017, the Bobcats were 46-4 and won the MACJC regular season title. JCJC posted a team batting average of .370, which led NJCAA Division II. Centerfielder Fred Franklin was named an NJCAA Division II Gold Glove winner.
Rhodes was a graduate assistant on the 2014 coaching staff; a team that tied the school record for wins, won the MACJC South Division, the MACJC tournament, and hosted the Region 23 Tournament.
Rhodes mentored outfielders Carter Polles, Alex Shermer and Chris Morgan who was tabbed All-Region 23 in 2014. All three outfielders had NCAA Division I opportunities after JCJC.
Rhodes’ influence on the 2014 offense was enough to see them to a .327 team batting average, 112 doubles, and 24 home runs. The 2014 squad had seven players with 30+ RBI.
Rhodes came to JCJC in 2010 as an outfielder from Gulfport High School. During his time in a Bobcat uniform, the team enjoyed great success, capturing two South Division titles, a state championship, and the school’s first ever appearance in the NJCAA D2 World Series. The 2011 team set a school record for wins and finished national runner-up.
Rhodes was a second team All-MACJC selection in 2011, batting .345 with 20 stolen bases. Rhodes then extended his career at Southeastern Louisiana University for his last two collegiate seasons, earning All-Southland Conference Tournament honors both seasons (2012, 2013).
Rhodes is also in charge of Bobcat baseball strength and conditioning. He designs in-season and offseason workouts and accompanies the team during every on-campus workout.
