Rhodes College head football coach, Rich Duncan, announces his second hire.
"I am thrilled to add Andrew Chau to our coaching staff as the defensive coordinator," said Duncan. "He has extensive experience coordinating defenses, which includes his time within our league at Millsaps. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the defenses he has coached because they are well prepared, play extremely hard, and are difficult to prepare against. What impressed me the most about Andrew in our conversations is his attention to detail and his passion to coach fundamentals."
Chau, a veteran coach of over 18 years, brings six years of defensive coordinating experience to Rhodes. He spent this past abbreviated season at fellow D-III institution Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C. as their defensive coordinator. The Quakers' top defender, Bryce Smith, garnered second team All-ODAC honors after making 29 tackles in four games.
"I am deeply honored and excited that Coach Duncan has brought me aboard his coaching staff," said Chau. During my three seasons at Millsaps College, I gained great respect for Rhodes College Football. The level of competition and coaching in the Southern Athletic Association is tremendous and I am thrilled to be coaching again in the SAA."
During his time with the Majors (2017-19), Chau's defenses yielded 14 All-Southern Athletic Association (SAA) players. Among those standout performers was Liam Vincifora, who was named the SAA's 2019 Defensive Player of the Year and garnered second team AFCA All-America honors. Vincifora recorded 14 sacks in a 3-4 defensive scheme that season. Millsaps led all SAA programs in least pass defense yardage in 2018 (159 yards per game) and 2019 (178 yards per game).
Chau has also held collegiate stints at Culver Stockton College (NAIA, Mo.), St. Andrews University (defensive backs, NAIA, N.C.), Monroe Junior College (defensive backs, N.Y.), Fordham University (defensive backs, D-I, N.Y.), Occidental College (cornerbacks/linebackers, D-III, Calif.) and the United States Cost Guard Academy (linebackers, D-III, Conn.)
During the 2014 season with Culver Stockton, Chau served as the defensive coordinator where his defense forced 30 turnovers. His defensive unit came through with 18 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries during that campaign. They held the opposition to less than 1,200 yards rushing for the entire season and as a result, six student-athletes were named All-Conference.
Chau coached at fellow D-III Occidental for five seasons where the Tigers earned three NCAA Playoff appearances, three SCIAC Championships, and totaled a 41-7 record. Prior to Occidental, Chau gained valuable experience coaching in San Diego high schools.
"Coach Chau has a wealth of experience coaching in the defensive secondary and I believe his expertise in this area will benefit us greatly," said Duncan. "Additionally, Coach Chau is a tenacious recruiter who has recruited within institutions of similar academic backgrounds to Rhodes and regions within our recruiting footprint. I am extremely pleased that we have been able to hire a coach with such an extensive background to our staff."
Chau played defensive back at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He also obtained a master in business administration degree from the University of Florida in 1993.