Former Pioneers point guard and current University of Colorado assistant coach Rodney Billups has been named the new head coach of the DU men’s basketball team. Photo: Wayne Armstrong
University of Denver Vice Chancellor for Athletics & Recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes announced Monday that former Pioneers point guard and current University of Colorado assistant coach Rodney Billups, a 2005 graduate of DU’s Daniels College of Business, has been named the new head coach of the DU men’s basketball team. Billups will become the 32nd head coach of the Pioneers program.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Rodney back to DU and couldn’t be more excited to have him take over the leadership of our men’s basketball program,” Bradley-Doppes said. “Rodney was an outstanding student-athlete who embodied the characteristics of a successful Pioneer. He has clearly taken those traits with him into his coaching career.”
Billups has served on the CU Buffaloes’ coaching staff for the last six years, assisting the program to three straight NCAA Tournament berths from 2011 to 2014, and a fourth appearance this year.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling returning to DU,” Billups said. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity that has been given to me by Peg, Chancellor [Rebecca] Chopp, Chancellor Emeritus [Daniel] Ritchie and the Board of Trustees members who believe in me. I truly believe that there is no one as proud of this university, this program, this city and this state as I am.”
Billups will replace Joe Scott, who guided the Pioneers to 146 victories over his nine seasons at the helm, including a successful run to the NIT tournament in 2013. The men’s basketball team completed its 2016 campaign 16-15 overall and 7-9 in Summit League play.
“We are thankful for Coach Scott’s nine years as the leader of our program,” Bradley-Doppes said. “He ran our program with class and integrity, which has certainly made our fans proud to be Pioneers.”
A native Coloradan, Billups graduated from George Washington High School in 2001. From 2002–05 he served as DU’s starting point guard and in his senior season was named co-recipient of the Floyd M. Theard Jr. Memorial Award, presented each year to the DU men’s basketball player who best displays the qualities of leadership, scholarship and sportsmanship. Billups’ older brother Chauncey was an NBA star player from 1997 to 2014 for teams including the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.
“Rodney is a perfect fit for DU,” said Chancellor Chopp. “As a man of character and integrity, he is a positive reflection of who we are, now and into the future.”
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