Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Men's Basketball

Peter and Ann Tombros Endowed Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mike Rhoades enters his fourth season leading Penn State in 2026–27. Hired on March 29, 2023 by Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft as the 15th head coach in program history, Rhoades owns more than two decades of head coaching experience and a proven track record of winning at every level. Across 22 seasons, he has compiled a 417–241 record (.634), seven NCAA Tournament appearances, and nine total postseason berths, establishing himself as one of the most respected program-builders in college basketball. Rhoades has made an immediate and measurable impact in Happy Valley. In just his second season (2024–25), he orchestrated the highest-scoring offense in Penn State history, with the Nittany Lions averaging a program-record 79.1 points per game. That season featured marquee victories, including a Big Ten-opening win over No. 8 Purdue—Penn State’s first top-10 win since 2019—and a statement road victory at No. 12 Wisconsin, the program’s highest-ranked road win since 2009. Rhoades notched his 400th career head coaching win in December 2024, a testament to his sustained excellence. Rhoades and his staff identified and developed Penn State’s first-ever first-round NBA Draft pick in Yanic Konan Niederhauser, who was selected 30th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2025 NBA Draft. Under Rhoades’ guidance, standout guard Ace Baldwin Jr. became a back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Play

Brent Scott enters his third season as an assistant coach at Penn State in 2025-26. Scott came to Happy Valley after serving on head coach Mike Rhoades’ staff at VCU (2017-23) and Rice (2016-17). The former professional player also owns Power Five coaching experience at TCU (2012-16) and LSU (2008-12). With Scott on staff in 2024-25, the Nittany Lions earned two wins over top-15 ranked teams in #8 Purdue and #12 Wisconsin as Penn State earned its first top-10 win since 2019 and highest-ranked road win since 2009. Scott helped engineer the identification, recruitment and development of Penn State's first-ever first-round NBA Draft pick in Yanic Konan Niederhauser as the big man was selected with the 30th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers in June 2025. Konan Niederhauser led the Big Ten with 2.3 blocks per game during his one season in the Blue & White in 2024-25 and saw a +7.8 points per game and +3.1 rebounds per game increase from his collegiate career averages prior to his time at Penn State. Scott also played a key role in signing the highest-ranked recruiting class and highest-ranked recruit in program history in Kayden Mingo during the November 2024 signing period. Scott helped lay a strong foundation during his first season at Penn State in 2023-24. In charge of post player development, Scott guided All-Big Ten honorable mention selection Qudus Wahab to a career-best season. Also serving as recruiting coordinator, Scott played an integral ro

Clay Conner enters his second season as an assistant coach at Penn State in 2026-27 and fourth season overall in Happy Valley after serving as director of player development for the Nittany Lions from 2023-25. One of the rising young coaches in college basketball, Conner has quickly earned a reputation as an elite relationship-builder and player development coach with a strong track record of helping student-athletes maximize their potential on and off the court. A key member of Mike Rhoades’ staff both at VCU and Penn State, Conner has played an instrumental role in the development of multiple All-Conference performers. Known for his energy, work ethic and ability to connect with players, Conner has helped foster winning cultures throughout his coaching career while contributing to NCAA Tournament teams, conference championships and sustained player success. Conner was elevated to assistant coach at Penn State ahead of the 2025-26 season. Conner has been vital in the development of Penn State’s key players since arriving in Happy Valley, including back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Ace Baldwin Jr., first-round NBA Draft pick Yanic Konan Niederhauser, and a total of six All-Big Ten selections. Conner came to Happy Valley from VCU where he served as the director of player development during the 2022-23 season following a two-year stint as a graduate assistant with the Rams. Conner played a key role in VCU’s 2023 NCAA Tournament appearance and Atlantic 10 regular

Penn State all-time leading scorer and Nittany Lion legend Talor Battle enters his second season as an assistant coach on Mike Rhoades’ staff in 2026-27. Battle has quickly established himself as one of the rising young coaches in college basketball through his ability to develop elite guard play, connect with student-athletes and recruit at the highest levels of the sport. A proven winner as both a player and coach, Battle returned to his alma mater following successful assistant coaching stops at Ohio State, Northwestern and Penn State, bringing valuable Big Ten experience and a deep understanding of what it means to represent the Blue & White. Widely respected for his player development work with guards and backcourt players, Battle has helped mentor multiple All-Big Ten performers throughout his coaching career while also playing a key role in building winning cultures at every stop. One of the most accomplished players in Penn State basketball history, Battle’s passion for the university, experience competing and coaching in the Big Ten, and reputation as an emerging leader in the profession have made him an invaluable member of Mike Rhoades’ staff. Battle played a key role in the development of the Big Ten’s youngest team in 2025-26 at Penn State. Three Nittany Lions earned Academic All-Big Ten honors, while multiple players turned in career-best seasons. Battle came to Penn State with five years of Big Ten assistant coaching experience after spending the 2024-25 season