Richard Rhoades had a 399-116-9 record in 35 years as a wrestling coach.

He began the wrestling program and coached at Fabius High School in New York from 1968 to 1970 and then at Bald Eagle Area High School from 1971 to 2002. He is the all-time winningest coach in Bald Eagle history with 386 wins and a winning percentage of .794. Rhoades led Bald Eagle to 14 district titles, six regional titles, and a state championship and state dual meet title in 1999. He coached 77 district champions, 44 regional champions, 15 state finalist and five state champions. His teams had five undefeated seasons and from 1987 until his retirement his winning percentage was .908.

Rhoades was named National Wrestling Coach of the Year by Wrestling USA and USA Today in 1999. He was named District VI Coach of the Year 14 times and was named Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 1997 and 1999.

He wrestled at Lock Haven University for Hubert "Hub" Jack, a Lifetime Service to Wrestling award recipient, and Gray Simons, a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Rhoades earned NAIA All-America honors in 1966 with a third-place finish at the national tournament.

Rhoades is also a member of the Lock Haven University Hall of Fame, the District VI Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Centre County Sports Hall of Fame.