Coach Carol Rhoden

Coach Carol Rhoden is an Author and motivational speaker who uses her love of basketball to light the fire of excellence in teens all over the world. A two-time Kodak/State Farm All-American WBCA honoree, Coach Rhoden was devastated when she was cut from the WNBA Detroit Shock (now Dallas Wings), and overcame deep depression to achieve the greatest calling God placed upon her life: to be a blessing to others. Now the Birmingham, Alabama native and Auburn University alum uses her exceptional basketball skills and life experiences to coach, train, inspire, and propel teen boys and girls to be champions – in both basketball and life.
As the founder and CEO of Created 2 Hoop, LLC, Coach Rhoden leads young people in skill development, small group training, and basketball camps during spring and summer. She also leads adults in coach training, guiding them through basketball and recruiting techniques, injury prevention, and nuanced communications required to positively engage with and motivate Generation Z.
Coach Rhoden has had great success in leading her teams to be life and basketball champions. From (phone number hidden)2, she coached the boys AAU team Metro Express from Leeds, AL, and in 2012, they finished 4th in the Nation out of 82 teams at the AAU National basketball tournament in Orlando, Florida! And as Head Basketball Coach of the Lady Chargers of Williams James Christian K-8, Coach Rhoden led the team to back-to-back city championships from (phone number hidden)5, and four championships within the last seven years. Through the triangulation of scholarship, character, and purpose, Carol Rhoden, has worked to develop these ladies into leaders in school, the community, and most importantly, in life.
Committed to the total wellness of her athletes, Coach Rhoden has partnered with Therapy South, one of the largest physical therapy practices in Alabama, and Healthy Connections, a company that specializes in preparing healthy meals for individuals and families. Coach Rhoden also understands the value of service and empathy for humankind in psychological development, and as such, has facilitated several team projects to benefit Jessie’s Place, a shelter for women and children, The Love Lady Center, a faith based program that helps women reenter society, and My Sister’s Closet, a program that assists women with business attire for jobs and job interviews.
In addition to coaching, personal community service is another key component of Coach Rhoden’s life. Having had several friends and one close family member succumb to breast cancer, Coach Rhoden started the “Box-Out Breast Cancer” initiative. BOBC supports breast cancer research by recognizing survivors, warriors, and family members who have lost a loved one. Since 2013, Coach Rhoden has participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K race in Downtown Birmingham.
Coach Rhoden has received several honors due to the exception teams and leaders she has had the honor and pleasure to serve. These includes being named Miss Basketball of her high school alma mater Fairfield HS in 1998, National Junior College “Player of the Year” in 2000, and Female Athletic Coach of the Year for the state of Alabama in 2017 by the Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (ASAHPERD), and Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Hall of Fame induction in 2022.
Coach Rhoden earned her AA degree from Gulf Coast Community College, BS degree in Sociology and Physical Education from Auburn University, and Master’s degree in Physical Education. She is a member at St. Paul A.M.E. Church Smithfield under the leadership of Rev. Brian K. Blackwell, and she is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.