Coaches

Rodney Kirschner

Deputy Athletic Director (FB, WBB, BOWLING, MBB, BSB) | Director of Media Relations | Director of Strategic Communications | SID

rodney_kirschner@subr.edu

225-771-3171

The latest on everything
College Soccer

Illustration of a rocket coming out of a mobile phone

Get our 5-minute, daily newsletter on what matters in college soccer.

Rodney Kirschner, who is entering his 12th year with the athletic department, was promoted to Deputy Athletic Director in June 2022. 

As the Deputy Athletic Director Kirschner is responsible for the daily operations of SU’s athletic department. He currently serves as the sport administrator for Football, Women's Basketball, Men’s Basketball, Bowling and Baseball while overseeing the Strength & Conditioning program and Sports Medicine. Working closely with each head coach and staff. He also oversees facilities, equipment and apparel for the Jaguars.

Kirschner is also responsible for both Football and Men's Basketball game scheduling. He serves as a Director of Strategic Communications and Sports Information Director. He has been responsible for two website relaunches and been instrumental along with Willie Scott in helping establish the Jaguar Sports Network allowing alumni and fans from all over the country a chance to see and hear the Southern athletics teams play. He is also a member of the athletics department's Executive and Senior staffs, and previously served as Southerns Senior Associate Athletic Director.

Kirschner was also selected to serve as the Vice President of the Sports Information Directors in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). He was voted on by his peers for this position. He also serves on the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Hall of Fame committee.

He is currently a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and is a member of the College Sports Communicators (CSC).

“Coach K” as he is known around the athletic department is an integral part of Southern success with his tireless work ethic and attention to detail. He was an Assistant Basketball Coach from 2011-2017 and was also Assistant Athletic Director from 2014-2017.

Before Kirschner's arrival, Southern had a 17-74 record and the three worst seasons in program history and an RPI rating of 340. During his first season he aided one of the largest turnarounds in Division 1.  While on APR sanctions, scholarship and practice time reduction Kirschner helped guide the Jaguars to a 17-14 second place finish in the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season and an RPI rating of 280. They finished with a 9-2 home record during the 2011-12 season.

Over the next six years, Kirschner helped compile on overall record of 114-85 and a 77-31 SWAC Record. He helped the Jaguars to claim the 2013 and 2016 SWAC Tournament Championship and berths into the 2013 and 2016 NCAA Tournament. As well as the 2014 SWAC Regular Season Championship and 2015 SWAC Tournament Runner-up. Kirschner’s responsibilities included handling day-to-day operations for the men's basketball program and Director of Athletics.  He oversaw academics, equipment, apparel, practice planning, game scheduling, scouting, team travel, film and video breakdown, film exchange coordinator, liaison for housing, community outreach, budget, compliance matters, handles the annual basketball awards banquet and served as the camp director during his time with SU Men’s Basketball.

Prior to arriving at Southern, Kirschner spent six seasons at two Southland Conference schools. Three seasons as the Director of Video Operations at Northwestern State University (Natchitoches, LA) where he also assisted in the Sports Information Department, and three seasons as the Video Coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana University (Hammond, LA.) Before joining the college ranks he was the Associate Head Coach at Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge, LA.  While at WHS he helped guide the Panthers to a 64-14 record in two seasons, a district championship and a 2006 class 5A state runner-up finish.

He started his collegiate playing career at Pratt Community College, and then transferred to Kansas Wesleyan University where he finished his career as a three-year letterman for KWU Men’s Basketball team and was a part of the 2002 KCAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Runner-up Team. He also lettered twice as a member of the KWU Football team. Kirschner earned a bachelor's degree in General Studies from Southeastern Louisiana University in May of 2008.

A Horton, Kansas native he played for his father “Rocket” Rod Kirschner at Horton High School and Nickerson High School. While at HHS he scored over 1,300 career points in his 3 years wearing the chargers uniform and had a career high of 41 points vs McLouth. During his senior season at NHS he set the school’s single game record for most points with 48 during his senior campaign vs Council Grove and finished his high school career with over 1,980 career points in which he scored over 30 points in a game 35-times. He was a three time all Kansas All-State pick and First Team All-State pick his senior season. 

He is married to the former Courtney Tegtman of Stamford, NE and the couple resides in Baton Rouge, LA with their three dogs (Simba, Lincoln and Lexington).

#1 College Soccer Newsletter

Join thousands of current readers and get our 5-minute, daily newsletter on what matters in college soccer.

Illustration of a rocket coming out of a mobile phone