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Men's Basketball
Rode, Kyle
Kyle Rode
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- krrode@liberty.edu
Kyle Rode stepped into his role as Assistant Coach in June 2025.
Rode returns to Liberty following a highly successful five-year playing career with the Flames (2019-24). After graduation, he spent the last year playing for the Austin Spurs, the NBA G League Affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs, as well as for EWE Baskets Oldenburg in Oldenburg, Germany.
“Seven years ago when we first began recruiting Kyle, I had a feeling this day would come. 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,” stated Liberty Men’s Baksetball Head Coach Ritchie McKay. “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 and the Flames won two conference championship titles (ASUN in 2020 and 2021), three regular season crowns (ASUN in 2020, 2021 and 2023) and a divisional title (ASUN in 2022) in his five years.
Rode ended his Liberty career 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. 2 in school history) in 163 games (137 starts). He is one of two players in school history to be ranked in the top 15 in program history in career points, rebounds and assists.
“I am so grateful to be back at Liberty. I can’t wait to get to work and serve the team and staff in any way I can,” Rode said. “I love this school and am excited to be a part of this program every day again.”
Rode, a native of Lexington, Ky., graduated in May 2024 with a master’s degree in executive leadership. Rode also earned a bachelor’s degree in information systems in May 2022. He wrapped up his career at Liberty as a three-time all-conference honoree (one CUSA, two ASUN) and two-time NABC All-District team selection (first team 2023-24, second team 2022-23). Some of his other accomplishments included: 2022-23 ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year, two-time CSC Academic All-District® Men’s Basketball Team, ASUN All-Tournament team (2021), three-time NABC Honors Court recipient, Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week, Lou Henson National Player of the Week, Myrtle Beach Invitational MVP (2023), MVP of the Hall of Fame Series game, four-time ASUN Academic Honor Roll recipient, CUSA Commissioner’s Academic Medal winner, CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, VaSID Academic All-State team, Bahamas Showcase MVP (2019) and ASUN Newcomer of the Week (2019).
Rode averaged a team-leading 14.2 points per game during his final season and made 100 three-pointers, tied for the sixth most in a season in program history. Rode made 3.13 three-pointers per game, which ranked 17th best in the country and first among CUSA players. His 100 total threes ranked first in CUSA and 29th most in the nation. He also averaged 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Rode returns to Liberty following a highly successful five-year playing career with the Flames (2019-24). After graduation, he spent the last year playing for the Austin Spurs, the NBA G League Affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs, as well as for EWE Baskets Oldenburg in Oldenburg, Germany.
“Seven years ago when we first began recruiting Kyle, I had a feeling this day would come. 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,” stated Liberty Men’s Baksetball Head Coach Ritchie McKay. “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 and the Flames won two conference championship titles (ASUN in 2020 and 2021), three regular season crowns (ASUN in 2020, 2021 and 2023) and a divisional title (ASUN in 2022) in his five years.
Rode ended his Liberty career 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. 2 in school history) in 163 games (137 starts). He is one of two players in school history to be ranked in the top 15 in program history in career points, rebounds and assists.
“I am so grateful to be back at Liberty. I can’t wait to get to work and serve the team and staff in any way I can,” Rode said. “I love this school and am excited to be a part of this program every day again.”
Rode, a native of Lexington, Ky., graduated in May 2024 with a master’s degree in executive leadership. Rode also earned a bachelor’s degree in information systems in May 2022. He wrapped up his career at Liberty as a three-time all-conference honoree (one CUSA, two ASUN) and two-time NABC All-District team selection (first team 2023-24, second team 2022-23). Some of his other accomplishments included: 2022-23 ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year, two-time CSC Academic All-District® Men’s Basketball Team, ASUN All-Tournament team (2021), three-time NABC Honors Court recipient, Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week, Lou Henson National Player of the Week, Myrtle Beach Invitational MVP (2023), MVP of the Hall of Fame Series game, four-time ASUN Academic Honor Roll recipient, CUSA Commissioner’s Academic Medal winner, CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, VaSID Academic All-State team, Bahamas Showcase MVP (2019) and ASUN Newcomer of the Week (2019).
Rode averaged a team-leading 14.2 points per game during his final season and made 100 three-pointers, tied for the sixth most in a season in program history. Rode made 3.13 three-pointers per game, which ranked 17th best in the country and first among CUSA players. His 100 total threes ranked first in CUSA and 29th most in the nation. He also averaged 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
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