Lincoln University Director of Athletics & Recreational Services and Interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Harry Stinson III, is proud to announce the hiring of two time All American and NBA first round draft pick Julius Hodge as the Lions 24th head men’s basketball coach.
Hodge comes to Lincoln after spending the last three seasons as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Trojans finished the 2023-24 season with a 21-13 overall record and 14-4 conference record giving them the number one seed in the OVC Tournament. The Trojans advanced to the OVC Tournament Championship game but fell short to Morehead State.
“I’m excited to introduce Julius Hodge as our next Men’s Head Basketball coach, “said Stinson. “Julius brings an extensive and decorated career to Lincoln highlighted by his stellar collegiate career at NC State, his NBA and overseas experiences as well as over 10 years of coaching at the collegiate level. His ability to lead young men, passion for being a father, husband, educator and coach coupled with his experiences will aid our student athletes reach their ultimate goals. I look forward to working with him and seeing his leadership continue to build upon our foundation of a championship culture and we’re excited to have him and his family join Lincoln University to help us “Protect the PRIDE!”
A New York native, Hodge is a 2005 North Carolina State University graduate where he was a two-time All-American, the 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year and a two-time All-ACC player. He was a second-team consensus All-America as a junior and an Associated Press honorable mention All-America as a senior.
Hodge was a first-round draft choice of the Denver Nuggets and the 20th overall selection in the 2005 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. He played for the Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA and throughout Europe, Asia and Australia spanning over 10 years before embarking on a coaching career.
“I am thrilled to lead this Lincoln University MBB program as the new head coach, with eagerness to establish a team culture based in Discipline, Hard Work, Accountability, Respect, and Perseverance.,” stated Hodge. “These core values will be the cornerstones of our approach, guiding us through every practice, game, and off-court challenge we encounter. Our appetite for excellence will never subside. “I would like to thank President Brenda Allen and Athletic Director Harry Stinson for giving me this great opportunity as well as believing in my vision for the future of the Lincolns Men’s basketball program.”
Prior to joining Arkansas Little Rock, Hodge spent three seasons at San Jose State, working with a number of All-Mountain West Conference selections during his time with the Spartans.
Hodge joined the staff at San Jose State after spending the 2016 and 2017 seasons at Santa Clara University as an assistant coach for Herb Sendek, his college coach at North Carolina State. In Hodge’s first season with the Broncos, Santa Clara produced its first winning season in four years.
His coaching career started at the University of Buffalo in 2015 as the director of player development. In his one season with the Bulls, Buffalo recorded a 20-win season for the sixth time in school history, successfully defended its Mid-American Conference championship and played in the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.
Julius is married to Latoya Hodge, and has two children, a son Legacy Hodge and a daughter Michaela Supreme Hodge.
