Former Auburn defensive coordinator and Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads is leaving the Gulf Shores High School staff after just one season.

Dolphins’ head coach Mark Hudspeth told the team the news this morning. Rhoads spent the 2022 season as Hudspeth’s defensive coordinator. Hudspeth said Rhoads is returning to college, joining the staff at Boston College.

“Paul addressed the team this morning,” Hudspeth said. “Obviously, everyone is sad to see him leave. He made a huge impact on these kids’ lives, not just defensively but in his leadership and in his example of how to become a man.”

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Rhoads has been in coaching more than three decades. He spent the 2008 season as Auburn’s defensive coordinator before taking the head coaching job at Iowa State from 2009-2015. He went 32-55 with the Cyclones and reached three bowl games. His other college coaching stops include Utah State, Pacific, Pittsburgh, Arkansas, UCLA and Arizona.

In his only year at Gulf Shores, he helped lead the Dolphins to the Class 5A quarterfinals and an 11-2 record. His defense gave up 240 points for the season – an average of 18 points a game.

“We were outstanding,” Hudspeth said. “We gave up the fewest points in school history. It was unbelievable to have Paul here. Not only was he a great coordinator, but he’s been a head coach in college. He knows what it is supposed to look like big picture wise with organization, practice preparation and game preparation.

“For us as coaches, it was like coming to work every day and going to a coaching clinic. This is a guy you would pay money to go hear, and we got a chance to sit there and work with him and learn with him every day. Our young coaches and all our coaches learned so much from him. We certainly wish him the best.”

Hudspeth said a search for a new defensive coordinator would begin immediately. His first two coordinators have both been former college coaches. Rhoads followed longtime college DC Brian VanGorder in the position.

The Dolphins are schedule to start spring training on April 17. They will have an intrasquad game on May 12.