Rodney Perry, a former standout player at Missouri State (formerly Southwest Missouri State) in the early 1990s, made the move to assistant coach over the summer after spending the two previous years as the Dukes' coordinator of basketball operations.
The 35-year-old Fort Smith, Arkansas native brings a wealth of AAU and high school coaching experience to the Duquesne bench.
Perry, who attended Fort Smith Northside High School, played two years at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (formerly Westark Community College) before moving on to Missouri State (1992-93) where he helped the Bears to a pair of post-season appearances. In 1992, he was part of Charlie Spoonhour's 23-8 NCAA Tournament team, and in 1993 he served as co-captain for an MSU squad that posted a 20-11 mark and advanced to the quarterfinal of the NIT under Mark Bernsen.
Perry, who led the team in steals in each of his two seasons, served as the team co-captain in 1993. He was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Tournament team after helping lead the school to its first - and only - post-season MVC tournament title in `92. Perry was also a two-time member of the Missouri Valley Conference All-Defensive Team.
Perry began his coaching career in 1994 as an assistant in the Missouri high school system. He coached at Willard High School and Springfield Central High School before landing the head coaching position at Purdy High School in 2001-02. Perry led Purdy to its best record in 10 years before accepting an assistant's job at Division II Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. in 2002.
In 1994, Perry started the Springfield Rockets AAU program and was named national AAU Coach of the Year after leading the team to the 1995 AAU national championship. In 10 years under Perry, the Rockets turned out 26 players who went on to compete at the collegiate level, including Anthony Moore who led Evangel University to the 2002 NAIA II national championship.
Perry, who completed his undergraduate degree in physical education in at Missouri St. in 2002, who has two sons Darris (10) and Devrin (2). He resides in Robinson Township.
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THE RODNEY PERRY FILE
Birthdate: May 16, 1970
Age: 35
Hometown: Fort Smith, Ark.
High School: Fort Smith Northside H.S.
College: Missouri State (`02)
Degree: physical education
Family Sons: Darris and Devrin
NCAA TOURNAMENT EXPERIENCE
1991-92 -- Missouri State (Player) -- 1st Round
NIT EXPERIENCE
1992-93 -- Missouri State (Player) -- Quarterfinal
COLLEGE COACHING EXPERIENCE
2005- Assistant Coach (1) Duquesne
2003-04 Coord. Basketball Operations (2) Duquesne
2002 Assistant Coach (1) Southwest Baptist (Mo.)
years at position listed in parentheses
