Rhodes College Men's Football

Rich Duncan is in his 6th season as the Rhodes Head Football coach, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. Duncan joined Rhodes College in 2021 with the mission to rebuild the program. His impact was immediate, as he led the team to a 3-7 record in his first season, followed by a 5-5 record in 2022 and a 6-4 record in 2023. Under his guidance, Rhodes achieved significant accolades, including five Second Team All-SAA players and five honorable mentions in 2023, as well as notable individual awards such as the 2022 SAA Defensive Lineman of the Year, two First Team All-SAA selections, four Second Team All-SAA picks, and multiple SAA Players of the Week. After a notable seven-year stint as the head coach at Aurora University from 2005 to 2011, where he led the Spartans to the NCAA Division III national playoffs in 2008, Duncan has demonstrated his ability to build and lead successful football programs. Following his tenure at Aurora, Duncan spent a decade at Berry College, where he significantly impacted the program as the offensive coordinator. During his time with the Vikings, he played a crucial role in guiding the team to the five consecutive SAA championships, three NCAA playoff appearances, including advancing to the second-round twice. Berry achieved its highest ranking in program history at No. 7 in the American Football Coaches Association Poll in 2019, and Duncan's offensive strategies helped secure the Vikings a No. 9 ranking in 2018 and No. 18 in 2017. Over eight seasons, Berry compiled a record of 52-26, with an impressive 43-6 record over the last five seasons. Duncan's leadership also saw players achieve All-Conference honors and top SAA statistical leader boards, including Mason Kinsey, who holds numerous SAA records including Career Receiving Yards (3,343 yards) and Receiving Touchdowns (50). Duncan's coaching career began at Manchester College in 1991, where he served as the offensive line coach and assistant baseball coach. He later held positions at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Capital University, and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, setting multiple offensive records and mentoring numerous All-Conference players. At Aurora, Duncan posted a 38-33 record and was named the Northern Athletics Conference Coach of the Year in 2008 after guiding the Spartans to a 9-2 overall record and an undefeated conference mark. His tenure saw 80 All-Conference players, 15 All-Region selections, and five All-Americans, along with four Academic All-Region honorees. Duncan earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Bethany College and a master’s degree from Loras College. He is the proud father of two children, Molly and Jake (R’ 24). With his extensive experience and a history of building successful football programs, Coach Rich Duncan is poised to continue making a significant impact at Rhodes College.

Matt Kalb enters his third year as Rhodes College’s offensive coordinator, joining the staff in 2021. Kalb, who has been coaching collegiate football for the last 29 years, has experience as offensive coordinator for 20 of those years. He previously worked with Duncan at D-III institutions Loras College and Aurora University. "I am extremely pleased to complete our staff by adding Matt Kalb as the Offensive Coordinator," said Duncan. "I have worked with Matt at two previous stops, and he is a tremendous football coach. Matt is very organized, creative, and an outstanding tactician. He has developed some of the very best QB's that I have had the pleasure to coach. I have the utmost confidence that he will do an exceptional job developing our offense." In his first three seasons at Rhodes, Kalb’s offense has steadily climbed the SAA statistical rankings. In 2023, the Lynx finished third in Scoring and Passing Offense, and fourth in Total and Rushing Offense. Prior to arriving in Memphis, Kalb spent the previous four years as associate head coach, offensive coordinator, and recruiting coordinator at Friends University in Kansas. Kalb helped rebuild the squad from 35 players to 115 where the Falcons held five top-20 NAIA rankings this past spring including 14th in rushing yards in game, 18th in third-down conversions and 20th in rushing offense. Prior to Friends, Kalb spent three seasons at McMurry University in Texas. As the offensive coordinator, the War Hawks transitioned from D-II to D-III and the offense improved scoring points per game each season. During his first season, Jeret Smith broke the program's career receiving record. He later signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. "I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to rejoin Coach Duncan's staff at Rhodes College," said Kalb. "Having worked with Rich for almost 10 years, I wholeheartedly believe in his vision for Rhodes Football. Additionally, I was introduced to Rhodes through my daughter's recruitment and we fell in love with the campus and academic opportunities. In the end, joining the Rhodes community was one I could not pass up." Kalb also served as offensive coordinator during his time at both Aurora and Loras. At Aurora, the Spartans were crowned 2008 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Champions with a 7-0 record (9-1 overall) and advanced to the NCAA Playoffs. In 2013, the program set Aurora's total offense and total points records, ranking 26th and 34th respectively among 242 D-III institutions. Kalb also helped develop 2013 All-American tight end Ryan Mizgate for the Spartans. For the latter three years of Kalb's eight-year tenure at Loras, he was the offensive coordinator where he primary dealt with quarterbacks and wide receivers. With the Duhawks, he recruited Loras' last two All-Americans in Ross Dillavou and Alex McGrew. Kalb got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant before he earned his first head coaching stint at Joliet Junior College. There he specialized in strength and conditioning, special teams and defensive backs. "As good as Coach Kalb is as a coach, he is a better man," said Duncan. "I have known his wife Amy, and children Vivian and James for a long time and he is a terrific husband, father, and mentor. I know that we align in the belief that player development is a core tenet in building a successful football program. I've watched Matt's work in developing players who enter our program into all-conference players, excellent students, and finally into terrific husbands, fathers, and men. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Matt once again." Kalb graduated from the University of Kentucky before he attained his Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Valparaiso University. He began his playing career as a walk-on at the University of Alabama where he was a wide receiver for two years. During his two years at Kentucky, Kalb played wide receiver, defensive back and was on the special teams unit.

Jalen Womble is a lauded Rhodes Football alumna from New Orleans, Louisiana who started all four years of his athletic career. He was a three-year team captain and served on the leadership council every season. After graduating in 2023 with a B.A. in Biology with a minor in Psychology, he returned to the program as a part-time Coach working with the Defensive Line. Moving into the Assistant Coaching role, Coach Womble is excited to continue to contribute to the growth and success of the Rhodes football program. He proudly remains undefeated against Sewanee as a player.

Matt Ellis is in his second season as the Rhodes Defensive Coordinator, bringing a strong background in defensive coaching and a deep connection to the program as a former student-athlete. Ellis returned to Rhodes College in February 2025, where he coordinates the Lynx defense while coaching the defensive backs and outside linebackers. In his first season, he helped develop two all-conference safeties, including a First Team All-SAA selection and one of the league’s leading tacklers. A former Lynx himself, Ellis played at Rhodes from 2013 to 2016, starting 26 games at cornerback and contributing to the program’s 2013 SAA Championship team. His experience as a player at Rhodes provides a unique perspective and strong foundation as he now leads the defense. Prior to returning to Memphis, Ellis gained coaching experience at Rice University, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Benedictine University, and Millikin University, working primarily with defensive backs and special teams. 

Rhodes College head football coach Rich Duncan announces his first addition to the Lynx coaching staff. Antonio Brown, a former Berry College Viking, will join the Lynx coaching staff as an assistant coach in charge of the offensive line.  “I am so proud to announce Antonio Brown as the first new hire to our staff," said Duncan. "I have known Antonio as both a player and as a coach. It has been my pleasure to watch his growth from a young man entering college into now becoming the offensive line coach at Rhodes. As a player, Antonio was one of the most intelligent offensive linemen I have ever coached. He was also a guy worked tirelessly at developing his skills on the field and taking care of the small details that are required to become successful." Brown was an assistant for the Vikings last season and volunteered with the squad in the Fall before attaining his undergraduate degree in December. This past spring, Berry went 4-0, winning their fifth straight SAA Championship. The Vikings averaged 367 yards per game and 29.8 points per game. As a student-athlete, Brown was a four-time SAA champion and two-time All-SAA selection. He garnered second team All-SAA accolades his senior season as the Vikings went 9-2 and averaged over 400 yards per game including 292 passing yards per game. His junior season, Brown earned honorable mention All-SAA honors when the team went 10-2 and made it to the second round of the NCAA Championship. That season, the team averaged 392 yards of total offense per game. He also participated in track and field for three seasons and earned SAA All-Academic honors. "I would like to thank Rhodes College and Coach Duncan for presenting me with this amazing opportunity," said Brown. "I am excited to be a Rhodes Lynx and I look forward to building strong relationships with the players, coaching staff, administration, and every person who is connected to the Rhodes community. In addition, I would like to thank Coach K and the Berry football coaching staff for their encouragement and mentorship." "While he was a highly decorated player, he is an even better coach," said Duncan. "Antonio is an outstanding leader and motivator. He is extremely bright, passionate, and perceptive. People respond to Antonio because he invests deeply in personal relationships. Everyone who spends time with Antonio has a profound respect for him and I am positive that he will make a great impact in our football program at Rhodes. I couldn’t be more excited to add Antonio to our staff.” Brown officially begins his coaching duties in July.