MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama Men's Basketball head coach Richie Riley announced the hiring of Mark Rutledge as an Assistant Coach Thursday afternoon. 

Rutledge joins the Jaguars staff after serving as the head coach at Southern Arkansas University over the past two seasons, bringing nearly a decade of collegiate coaching experience at the NCAA Division II level. His coaching résumé includes multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, conference championships, and the development of numerous all-conference and all-region performers throughout the Great American Conference and Lone Star Conference.

"Mark is a tireless worker, and that has led to his climb in the coaching ranks," said Riley. "He's known as an elite recruiter, but what excites me the most is how he teaches the game and gets guys better. The energy and enthusiasm he brings is truly contagious, both on the court and in the office. We're pumped to get Mark and his wonderful family to Mobile." 

Under his leadership, Southern Arkansas produced four All-Great American Conference selections and one All-GAC Honorable Mention selection while also earning multiple academic honors, including two College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selections. The Muleriders also led the Great American Conference in three-point percentage and became the league leader in individual three-point percentage during Rutledge's tenure. Off the court, Southern Arkansas finished as the nation's leader in NCAA Division II community service initiatives in back-to-back years, a point of pride throughout his time leading the program.

Before his time at Southern Arkansas, Rutledge spent two seasons at Angelo State University, including his final campaign as Associate Head Coach, helping guide the Rams to back-to-back NCAA South Central Regional appearances and a combined 45-18 overall record. During the 2023-24 season, Angelo State finished 19-11 overall and earned another NCAA Tournament berth while producing five Lone Star Conference postseason honorees.

In his first season with the Rams in 2022-23, Rutledge helped guide Angelo State to a 26-7 overall record, an appearance in the Lone Star Conference Tournament Championship game, and the program's first NCAA Tournament victory since 2016. That squad also featured three all-conference selections and the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

During his tenure, the Rams ranked among the league leaders in scoring defense, rebound margin, defensive field goal percentage, and three-point shooting while climbing as high as No. 10 nationally in NCAA Division II — the program's highest national ranking since 2017.

Prior to Angelo State, Rutledge spent four seasons at Henderson State University under head coach Jimmy Elgas, serving as Associate Head Coach during his final two years in Arkadelphia.

While with the Reddies, Rutledge helped guide Henderson State to the 2019-20 Great American Conference Tournament Championship — the program's first conference title in 17 years — and an NCAA Central Regional appearance. During his tenure, the Reddies became one of the top defensive programs in the conference, leading the GAC in defensive field goal percentage for three consecutive seasons from 2019-22.

Before entering coaching, Rutledge played collegiately at Central Arkansas from 2010-12, starting 56 of 57 games during his two-year career with the Bears. He averaged 8.7 points per game while shooting 43 percent from the floor. Before UCA, Rutledge earned Second Team All-Region and all-conference honors at Connors State College.

Following his collegiate playing career, Rutledge played professionally with the Battle Creek Knights of the Independent Basketball Association before continuing his career overseas with Shoqata Tirana of the Albania Superliga.

He and his wife, Monica, have three children: Elijah, Saniyah, and Hezekiah.

Rutledge joins Will Braden as the second assistant coach to join Riley's staff this offseason. 

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