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Rob Senderoff

Rob Senderoff (born July 25, 1973) is an American coach who has served as the head men's coach for the since April 2011. He holds the distinction of being the program's all-time winningest coach, amassing 288 victories through the 2024–25 season, and has led Kent State to nine 20-win seasons—the most in school history. A native of , Senderoff graduated from the University at in 1995 with a degree in communications. He began his coaching career as a student assistant at Albany under legendary coach "Doc" Sauers. Following graduation, Senderoff served as a at () before advancing to full-time assistant coaching roles at (1997–2000), (2000–2002), (2002–2006), and (2006–2008), where he contributed to program development and recruiting efforts. Senderoff rejoined Kent State in April 2008 as associate head coach under , playing a key role in the team's transition before succeeding Ford as in 2011. Under his leadership, the Golden Flashes have achieved consistent success in the (MAC), including regular-season championships in 2014–15 and MAC Tournament titles in 2016–17 and 2022–23, which earned NCAA Tournament appearances both years. His 2022–23 team posted a program-record 28–7 mark, culminating in a 12-game winning streak, and he was named MAC Coach of the Year that season. Senderoff became Kent State's winningest coach in 2018–19 and has guided the program to 12 postseason appearances, including three berths, while maintaining a career record of 291–177 (.622 winning percentage) as of November 2025 with no losing seasons. In March 2025, following an run, he signed a six-year contract extension through the 2030–31 season after turning down an offer from .

Early life and education

Family and upbringing

Rob Senderoff was born on July 25, 1973, in , a suburban community in Rockland County approximately 30 miles north of . Raised in this close-knit environment, Senderoff is Jewish and a member of Temple Beth Shalom in , reflecting his cultural heritage. Senderoff is married to Lauren Senderoff (née Edelstein), and the couple has two daughters, and . The family relocated to , as part of Senderoff's coaching career progression. From a young age, Senderoff developed an interest in through local community activities in Spring Valley, including outdoor play during summers and attendance at basketball camps. Despite receiving support from his family and community, he was not a standout , viewing himself as more proficient in than during his youth.

High school and college years

Rob Senderoff grew up in , where he attended Spring Valley High School and participated in during his ninth and tenth grades on the junior varsity team. Despite his passion for the sport, Senderoff later described himself as a "bad player" in high school, recognizing his skill limitations early on. This self-assessment, reinforced by being cut from the junior varsity tryout at , led him to shift his focus toward as a more viable path in . Senderoff enrolled at the University at , earning a in in 1995. During his undergraduate years, he joined the men's program as a student assistant coach under Richard "Doc" Sauers, marking his initial involvement in coaching. Although he attempted to try out for the junior varsity team, he was cut, further reinforcing his decision to pursue opportunities behind the bench rather than on the court. Following graduation, Senderoff continued his education at in , where he worked as a for the men's team from 1995 to 1997 while completing a in sports studies. This role provided hands-on experience in program operations and solidified his commitment to a coaching career, building directly on his foundational work at .

Assistant coaching career

Early assistant positions (1995–2004)

Senderoff began his coaching career as a student assistant at the , his , during his undergraduate years, helping the Great Danes to three consecutive America East regular-season titles from 1995 to 1997. Following his graduation in 1995 with a degree in communications, he served as a for the men's basketball team from 1995 to 1997, supporting the program while completing his master's degree in sports studies. This role provided foundational experience in operations during his time at the institution. In 1997, he transitioned to a full assistant coach position at , where he served until 1999 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. At Fordham, Senderoff gained experience in Division I coaching at a program, focusing on team preparation and player support under head coach Nick Macarchuk. From 1999 to 2001, Senderoff worked as an assistant coach at in the , navigating the unique balance of academics and athletics in a conference without athletic scholarships. His tenure emphasized player development and scouting, contributing to the Bulldogs' competitive efforts during a period of program rebuilding. Senderoff then joined as an assistant coach from 2001 to 2002 in the Colonial Athletic Association, where he helped implement defensive strategies and enhance recruiting to boost the Tigers' competitiveness. During this time, the program improved its standing, laying groundwork for future success under Mike Gottlieb. In 2002, Senderoff joined as an assistant coach under Jim Christian, contributing to the team's defensive strategies and (MAC) recruiting efforts through 2006. His work emphasized building a strong perimeter defense, which helped the Golden Flashes rank among the MAC's top defensive teams, allowing an average of 64.5 points per game in the 2005-06 season. This period included a 2006 MAC Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Through these early roles, Senderoff progressed from duties to full-time responsibilities in , fundamentals, and program operations, building expertise across diverse conference environments before advancing to higher-profile positions.

Later roles and challenges (2004–2011)

Seeking a higher-profile opportunity, Senderoff joined as an assistant coach in 2006 under head coach , handling operations, player development, and recruiting coordination. However, his tenure ended abruptly in October 2007 when he resigned amid an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations, specifically involving improper three-way telephone calls with prospects that violated Sampson's prior monitoring restrictions from his time at the . The scandal centered on at least 10 such calls facilitated by Senderoff, which led to Indiana self-imposing sanctions, including reduced scholarships and practice time, while the NCAA later imposed a 30-month on Senderoff in 2008, limiting his future employment prospects. Sampson resigned in February 2008, and received three years of probation, marking a significant career setback for Senderoff as the violations tarnished his reputation in major conference circles. Following the Indiana controversy, Senderoff returned to Kent State in April 2008 as associate head coach under , leveraging his prior experience to stabilize the program and focus on player retention and recruiting. Over the next three seasons, he played a key role in achieving consistent success, including 19 wins in 2008-09, 20 in 2009-10, and a program-best 24 in 2010-11, which featured a regular-season title and NCAA Tournament berth, highlighting his contributions to team discipline and offensive efficiency. The experience initially hindered his career mobility, with the complicating job searches, but his loyalty to Kent State—where he had built deep roots—facilitated redemption, allowing him to rebuild credibility through on-court results and program continuity.

Head coaching career at Kent State

Appointment and initial tenure (2011–2015)

On April 7, 2011, Rob Senderoff was promoted to of the Kent State men's team after serving as associate under , who had departed for University; this move ensured continuity for the program, as Senderoff had been instrumental in its recent successes during his three prior seasons on staff. Signed to a three-year worth $250,000 annually despite the shadow of past NCAA recruiting violations from his time at , Senderoff inherited a roster with potential but faced the immediate pressures of transitioning from assistant to head responsibilities. Senderoff's initial seasons focused on rebuilding through targeted recruiting and establishing a defensive identity, starting with a 21-12 overall record (10-6 ) in 2011-12 that included a CollegeInsider.com appearance. The 2012-13 campaign yielded another 21-14 mark (9-7 ), again advancing to the CIT, as he emphasized player development and cohesion amid roster adjustments. However, the 2013-14 season presented challenges with significant roster turnover and injuries, resulting in a 16-16 finish (7-11 ) and testing his adaptability to head coaching demands. By 2014-15, Senderoff's foundations paid off with a 23-12 record (12-6 MAC), clinching the program's sixth regular-season championship and his first as , highlighted by a defense that limited opponents to 62.9 . This success stemmed from improved team accountability in practices and strategic recruiting of versatile players like Kris Brewer and Dev Manley, who provided backcourt stability despite ongoing turnover in the frontcourt. Over his first four years, Senderoff amassed 81 wins, ranking seventh among first-time Division I es, while fostering academic progress with a team GPA above 3.0.

Peak achievements and recent developments (2016–present)

In the 2016–17 season, Senderoff guided Kent State to its first (MAC) Tournament championship under his leadership, defeating the top three seeds en route to the title. This victory secured the Golden Flashes' first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008, where they entered as a No. 14 seed and fell 79–73 to No. 3 seed in the first round. Senderoff became Kent State's all-time winningest coach during the 2018–19 season. He surpassed 200 career victories during the 2021–22 season and now holds 288 wins through the 2024–25 season. In recognition of his success during the 2021–22 campaign, which ended with a 23–11 record and a 12-game to close the , Senderoff was named the 2022 MAC Coach of the Year—his first such honor and the ninth for a Kent State . Senderoff's program reached new heights in the 2022–23 season, compiling a 28–7 overall record and finishing second in the with a 15–3 conference mark. The team captured the MAC Tournament title for the second time under Senderoff, earning a No. 13 in the NCAA Tournament, though they lost 71–60 to No. 4 Indiana in the opening round. That year, Kent State also established a 22-game , the second-longest in MAC history. The 2023–24 season resulted in a 17–17 overall record (8–10 MAC), with the Golden Flashes finishing eighth in the conference and failing to qualify for postseason play. Kent State rebounded in 2024–25, posting a 24–12 record (11–7 MAC) and placing third in the MAC standings before reaching the quarterfinals of the (NIT). His commitment to the program was reaffirmed with contract extensions: an through the 2028–29 season announced in April 2023, followed by a new six-year through the 2030–31 season signed on March 28, 2025, after he declined an offer from . Central to Senderoff's coaching philosophy is a defense-first approach emphasizing toughness, physicality without excessive fouling, and disruption of opponents' rhythms to create turnovers and efficient shots. He prioritizes player development for programs, focusing on accountability, analytics-driven decisions, and preparing athletes for special situations like end-game plays to maximize competitive edges. As of November 2025, Senderoff enters his 15th season at without a single losing record in his tenure, underscoring his consistent success and status as the program's longest-tenured and most victorious head coach.

Achievements and legacy

Awards and honors

In 2022, Senderoff was named Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year, the first such honor for a Kent State coach since 2008, after guiding the Golden Flashes to a 23-11 overall record and a 16-4 mark in conference play, securing the program's first outright regular-season title since 2008. This recognition highlighted his ability to foster a 12-game winning streak to close the regular season, culminating in a conference-best finish. Senderoff has been a three-time finalist for the Man of the Year Award in 2021, 2022, and 2023, an honor given by CollegeInsider.com to Division I coaches who exemplify success on the court alongside off-court integrity, , and community service. These nominations underscore his balanced leadership in a program, where resources are limited compared to . Additionally, in 2022, Senderoff earned National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) District 4 Coach of the Year honors for his role in Kent State's dominant regular-season performance. His leadership in securing Tournament championships in 2017 and 2023—each resulting in NCAA Tournament appearances—further reflects sustained excellence, as these titles represent rare postseason success for a coach over a 14-year tenure.

Program records and impact

During his tenure as head coach at , Rob Senderoff compiled an overall record of 288-176, yielding a .621 , all achieved with the Golden Flashes through the 2024-25 season. The 2024-25 season featured a 24-12 record and an quarterfinal appearance. This mark includes nine 20-win seasons, the most by any coach in program history, along with a second-place finish in the (MAC) East Division in 2014-15 and no losing seasons across his 14 years at the helm. Senderoff's teams demonstrated consistent excellence, exemplified by 100 wins in his first five head coaching seasons (2011-12 through 2015-16), transforming Kent State into a reliable MAC contender. Key program milestones under Senderoff include becoming the winningest coach in Kent State history in December 2018, surpassing the previous record of 153 wins set by Gary Waters, and leading the team to 12 postseason appearances: two NCAA Tournament berths in 2017 and 2023, three berths in 2016, 2021, and 2025, four CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) appearances in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2019, two (CBI) berths in 2014 and 2024, and one appearance in 2022. These achievements underscore his strategic focus on player development and competitive resilience in . Beyond the statistics, Senderoff's impact extends to fostering a culture of accountability and incorporating analytics into game preparation, which has elevated Kent State's standing within the . His legacy also includes mentoring first-generation college graduates among his players and staff, as well as building a where several assistants have advanced to head coaching positions at other institutions.

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