Upper Iowa University Vice President for Athletics Rick Hartzell has announced the hiring of Rachel Rhode as the new head coach for the Peacock softball program. 

"I'm thrilled to welcome Rachel Rhode as the new head softball coach at Upper Iowa," said Hartzell. "She brings valuable head coaching experience, a strong understanding of the Midwest, and a great fit for our university and softball program. I'm confident that Peacock Softball is in great hands as we move forward."

Rhode recently wrapped up her second season as head coach at Northeastern State University, where the program collected 25 wins in the two-year span. During her tenure, freshman Maddie Messenger earned All-MIAA honors, becoming the program's first true freshman to receive that recognition since 2021.

"I'm incredibly honored and excited to join Upper Iowa University as the head softball coach!" said Rhode. "Upper Iowa has a strong tradition of excellence, and from the first phone call with Rick Hartzell, it felt like a place where people truly care. I'm grateful for his support throughout this process, and I also want to thank President Franken for her warmth and kindness."

Prior to her time at NSU, Rhode was an assistant coach at Truman State and Bemidji State.

She began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Union College (Tenn.), where she helped guide the Bulldogs to a 31-win season in 2019, just the fourth time in program history to eclipse the 30-win mark. The team also notched a top-four finish in strikeouts in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). 

As a student-athlete at Union, Rhode led the team on the mound with a 2.08 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 2017. She was named the 2017 AAC Pitcher of the Year after being selected to the All-AAC First Team.

A native of Stillwater, Minnesota, Rhode earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice with minors in sociology and psychology from Union College.

"My wife and I felt at home right away in Fayette, and we're excited to be part of such a welcoming community and to be closer to family," Rhode added. "It's also meaningful to return to the GLVC, a conference I know well and deeply respect. I'm looking forward to building relationships, helping our student-athletes thrive on and off the field, and growing this program together with the incredible support of the university and community."