Rob Senderoff

Last updated
Rob Senderoff
Current position
Title Head coach
Team Kent State
Conference MAC
Record264–164 (.617)
Biographical details
Born (1973-07-25) July 25, 1973 (age 50)
Spring Valley, New York, U.S.
Alma mater SUNY Albany ('95)
Miami (OH) ('97)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1995–1997 Miami (OH) (GA)
1997–1999 Fordham (assistant)
1999–2001 Yale (assistant)
2001–2002 Towson (assistant)
2002–2006 Kent State (assistant)
2006–2008 Indiana (assistant)
2008–2011Kent State (Associate HC)
2011–presentKent State
Head coaching record
Overall264–164 (.617)
Tournaments0–2 (NCAA Division I)
3–4 (CIT)
0–1 (TBC)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 MAC tournament (2017, 2023)
MAC regular season (2015)
MAC East division (2015)
Awards
MAC Coach of the Year (2022)

Robert Andrew Senderoff (born July 25, 1973) is the head men's basketball coach at Kent State University. The winningest and longest-tenured coach in program history, he has led the Flashes to a Mid-American Conference regular season title as well as NCAA Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2023.

Contents

Personal and early life

Senderoff is a native of Spring Valley, New York. He played basketball for his high school team. [1] He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from University at Albany in 1995, and was also a student assistant with the basketball program. [2]

He then moved on to Miami University, where he was a graduate assistant and earned a master's degree in sports studies in 1997. [2] He is married to Lauren (née Edelstein), with two children, Ray and Samantha. [2] [3] He is Jewish, and is a member of Temple Beth Shalom in Hudson, Ohio, and lives in Stow, Ohio. [1]

Coaching career

Senderoff served as an assistant coach at Fordham University (1997–99), Yale University (1999–2001), and Towson University (2001–02), and as a graduate assistant at Miami University. [2]

Senderoff had two stints with the Kent State program before moving into the head job. First, he was an assistant to coach Jim Christian from 2002–06. Then, he was hired by former head coach Geno Ford to be his associate head coach.

Senderoff was then hired by Kelvin Sampson to be an assistant for two seasons at Indiana. Sampson and Senderoff resigned in October 2007 in the midst of a recruiting controversy. [4] The NCAA eventually handed Senderoff a 30-month show-cause penalty for his role in the scandal. Unlike the vast majority of coaches given such a penalty, he retained a coaching job during it. [5]

He was hired by Kent State as an assistant coach in April 2008. [4] In September 2010, The Hoop Scoop rated him as the fourth-best Mid-Major assistant basketball coach in the nation. [6]

He was hired as the 24th head coach in the 95-year history of Kent State basketball on April 7, 2011, to replace Geno Ford, under whom Senderoff had served as associate head coach for the previous three seasons. [6] His contract called for three years at $250,000 per year, with built-in bonuses for meeting incentives. [7] In May 2015, Kent State extended his contract by five years, with compensation of an estimated $350,000 per year. [8]

Senderoff led the Golden Flashes to their first MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in eight years in 2017, but lost to UCLA in the first round. Following their NCAA Tournament appearance, Kent State would extend Senderoff's contract an additional two years.

On Dec. 28, 2018, Senderoff won his 149th career game, passing Jim McDonald for the most in Kent State history. [9] The Flashes made their fourth CIT appearance under Senderoff later that season before going 15–8 two years later, their second-best season winning percentage (.652) of Senderoff's tenure. New athletic director Randale L. Richmond subsequently rewarded the coach with another extension through 2026. [10]

During the 2021–22 season, Senderoff led the team to a 12-game winning streak to conclude the regular season, the longest winning streak at Kent State since the 2002 season. He was named MAC Coach of the Year for the first time in March 2022, the ninth time a KSU head coach had won the award. [11] Despite posting the best record of his career at the time at 23–11, KSU lost to Akron in the MAC Tournament finals before falling to Northern Arizona in the first round of the inaugural edition of The Basketball Classic.

In the 2022-2023 season, Senderoff led the Golden Flashes to even more success, finishing 28-7, 15-3 in conference play. It is the best record of Senderoff's career and the best record by Kent State since 2007-2008 when they also went 28-7 overall. In the MAC Tournament, the Flashes would go on to defeat 7th seeded Northern Illinois and arch-rival 4th seeded Akron to reach the MAC Tournament Championship against #1 seeded Toledo. Despite being underdogs and Toledo riding a 17-game winning streak, the Flashes would defeat Toledo to win the MAC Tournament. It was the second time in Senderoff's career his Flashes won the Tournament and their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament during his tenure. The Flashes would go on to lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Indiana.

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Kent State Golden Flashes (Mid-American Conference)(2011–present)
2011–12 Kent State 21–1210–64th (East) CIT first round
2012–13 Kent State 21–149–73rd (East) CIT second round
2013–14 Kent State 16–167–115th (East)
2014–15 Kent State 23–1212–6T–1st (East) CIT Quarterfinals
2015–16 Kent State 19–1310–8T–3rd (East)
2016–17 Kent State 22–1410–84th (East) NCAA Division I Round of 64
2017–18 Kent State 17–179–92nd (East)
2018–19 Kent State 22–1111–73rd (East) CIT first round
2019–20 Kent State 20–129–94th (East) No postseason held
2020–21 Kent State 15–812–6T–3rd
2021–22 Kent State 23–1116–42nd TBC first round
2022–23 Kent State 28–715–32nd NCAA Division I Round of 64
2023–24 Kent State 17–178–108th
Kent State:264–164 (.617)138–94 (.595)
Total:264–164 (.617)

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelvin Sampson</span> American basketball coach (born 1955)

Kelvin Dale Sampson is an American college basketball coach, currently the head coach for the University of Houston of the Big 12 Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Kent State University

The Kent State Golden Flashes are the athletic teams that represent Kent State University. The university fields 19 varsity athletic teams in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level with football competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Kent State is a full member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and has been part of the MAC East division since it was created in 1998. Official school colors are Kent State Blue and Kent State Gold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes football</span> Varsity intercollegiate athletic team

The Kent State Golden Flashes football team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference East division, and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The Golden Flashes played their first game in 1920 and since 1969 have played their home games at Dix Stadium. Following the 2022 season, Kenni Burns was selected as head coach for the Golden Flashes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball</span> College basketball team

The Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represents Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The Golden Flashes compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division. The team was founded in 1913 and played their first intercollegiate game in January 1915. They joined the Mid-American Conference in 1951 and have played in the East division since the MAC went to the divisional format in 1997. Home games are held at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, which opened in 1950 and is one of the oldest arenas in college basketball. Rob Senderoff was hired as head coach in 2011, the 24th coach in the program's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes baseball</span> College baseball team

The Kent State Golden Flashes baseball team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The team competes at the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Mid-American Conference. The head coach is retired Major League Baseball player Jeff Duncan, who was hired in June 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011–12 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2011–12 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University during the 2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by first year head coach Rob Senderoff, played their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center and are members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 21–12, 10–6 in MAC play to finish in fourth place in the East Division. They lost in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball tournament to Akron. They were invited to the 2012 CollegeInsider.com Tournament where they lost in the first round to USC Upstate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013–14 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2013–14 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by third year head coach Rob Senderoff, played their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, colloquially known as the MAC Center, as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 16–16, 7–11 in MAC play to finish in fifth place in the East Division. They lost in the first round of the MAC tournament to Miami (OH).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014–15 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2014–15 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University during the 2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by fourth year head coach Rob Senderoff, played their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, colloquially known as the MAC Center, as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 23–12, 12–6 in MAC play to finish in a share for the East Division championship as well as a share of the MAC overall regular season championship. They lost in the quarterfinals of the MAC tournament to Akron. They were invited to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament where they defeated Middle Tennessee in the first round and Texas A&M Corpus–Christi in the second round before losing in the quarterfinals to Northern Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeAndre Haynes</span> American basketball player and coach

DeAndre Lamount Haynes is an assistant basketball coach under Coach Shaka Smart at Marquette University. He is a former American basketball player and former assistant coach at the University of Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes women's basketball</span> College basketball team

The Kent State Golden Flashes women's basketball team represents Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The Golden Flashes compete in the Mid-American Conference and last played in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament in 2024. Founded in 1973 as a club team, the Kent State women's basketball team received varsity status in 1975 and played their first official game in January 1976. Through the 2023–24 season, the Flashes have six total appearances in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament along with four Mid-American Conference tournament championships, five MAC overall titles, and nine MAC East division titles. Home games are held at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, which has been the team's home venue since 1977. The head coach is Todd Starkey, who was hired April 19, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016–17 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2016–17 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by sixth year head coach Rob Senderoff, played their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, also known as the MAC Center, as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. Kent State finished the regular season 22–14, 10–8 in MAC play to finish fourth in the MAC East division. As the No. 6 seed in the MAC tournament, the Flashes defeated Central Michigan, Buffalo, Ohio, and Akron to win the tournament for the first time since 2008. As a result, the Flashes received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 14 seed in the South region. In the first round, they lost to UCLA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–18 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2017–18 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by seventh-year head coach Rob Senderoff, played their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, also known as the MAC Center, as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 17–17, 9–9 in MAC play to finish in second place in the MAC East division. They defeated Northern Illinois and Ball State in the MAC tournament before losing to Buffalo in the semifinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018–19 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2018–19 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by eighth-year head coach Rob Senderoff, played their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, also known as the MAC Center, as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 22–11, 11–7 in MAC play to finish in third place in the East Division. They lost in the quarterfinals of the MAC tournament to Central Michigan. They were invited to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament where they lost in the first round to Louisiana–Monroe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019–20 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2019–20 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represent Kent State University in the 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by 9th-year head coach Rob Senderoff, play their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, also known as the MAC Center, in Kent, Ohio as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Mincy</span> American basketball player and coach

Jordan Mincy is an American basketball coach who is the current head coach of the Jacksonville Dolphins men's basketball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2021–22 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by 11th-year head coach Rob Senderoff, played their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, also known as the MAC Center, in Kent, Ohio as members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). It is the program's 106th season of play and 71st as a member of the MAC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season</span> Sports season

The 2021–22 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2021, followed by the start of the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference began in January 2021 and concluded in March 2022. Toledo won their second straight MAC regular season title with a 17–3 conference record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2022–23 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represents Kent State University in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by 12th-year head coach Rob Senderoff, play their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, also known as the MAC Center, in Kent, Ohio as members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). As the second seed they defeated Northern Illinois, Akron, and top-seeded Toledo to win the MAC tournament. Kent State was placed as the 13th seed in the Midwest Regional where they lost to Indiana in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023–24 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2023–24 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University in the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by 13th-year head coach Rob Senderoff, played their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, also known as the MAC Center, in Kent, Ohio as members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). They finished the season 15–16, 8–10 in MAC play, to finish in 8th place. They defeated Toledo and Bowling Green in the MAC tournament, before falling to Akron in the championship game to conclude the season with a 17–17 overall record.

References

  1. 1 2 "MAC battle shoots for ‘chai lights’" |clevelandjewishnews.com
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Rob Senderoff - 2009-10 Men's Basketball" - Kent State University Athletics
  3. Indiana Hoosiers – Sampson Completes Coaching Staff
  4. 1 2 "Senderoff to join Kent State's staff next season"
  5. O'neal, Dana (April 21, 2011). "Kent State shows faith in Rob Senderoff". ESPN . Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Kent State Names Rob Senderoff Men's Basketball Coach"
  7. "Kent State introduces Rob Senderoff as its new men's basketball coach" | cleveland.com
  8. "Kent State extends basketball coach Rob Senderoff for five years" | cleveland.com
  9. "KSU's Senderdoff winningest coach in Kent State basketball history". 2 January 2019.
  10. "Kent State men's basketball coach Rob Senderoff receives 4-year extension through 2026". June 2021.
  11. "Carry, Senderoff and Hamilton Earn Top MAC Honors". KentStateSports.com. Kent State University. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.