NCAA Women's Basketball Official Site

Matt Dean - Head Coach

Matt Dean enters his 6th season as the head women's basketball coach at Rhodes and 16th overall, after leading the Lynx program to a 76-52 overall record during his first five seasons at the helm. In 2005-06 the Lynx finished 18-8 overall advancing to the semifinals of the SCAC tournament and tying the school record for wins in a season. In 2002-03 Dean was named Co-SCAC Coach of the Year after the Lynx finished 15-9 and third in the SCAC. Dean returned to Memphis fours years ago after a one-year stint as the head men's coach at Denison University.

During that season in Ohio, he led the Big Red to its first NCAC conference tournament appearance in 4 years, and helped Denison win seven conference games and record its best conference finish since 1997-98. Prior to that, Dean was an assistant coach in the Rhodes men's program for 9 seasons--during which time the Lynx posted a 152-74 record, including a NCAA tournament appearance in 1993.

A native of Davenport, Iowa, Dean graduated from Drake Univ. in 1989 with a bachelor of arts degree in Broadcast News Journalism. He earned his master of science degree in Higher Education Administration from Drake in 1991 after serving 2 years as a graduate assistant in recreational services.

Dean's collegiate coaching career also includes guiding the Rhodes women's field hockey program as head coach from 1999-2000. He led the Lynx to a school-best overall record of 10-7 in 2000. Prior to that, he also served as head coach of the women's golf program, leading the Lynx to a SCAC Conference championship and earning the SCAC "Coach of the Year" award in 1996.

Coach Dean and his wife, Julie (also a Drake graduate), have two sons--Tyler (12) and Ryan (8).

Johnny Austin - Assistant Coach

Johnny Austin enters his 6th year as a member of the women's basketball coaching staff in 2006-07. As an assistant basketball coach, Austin joins Coach Matt Dean on the sidelines for the 3rd time (and 3rd sport) during his 16-year tenure at Rhodes. In 1996, Austin was a part of the Rhodes women’s golf coaching staff and the first SCAC title for the women’s golf program. In 2001, Austin also joined the field hockey coaching staff, and was a part of the 2001 KIT championship. Austin is employed full-time at Rhodes as a Commander in the Campus Safety Division.