OxStars: Coach Roderick Stubbs

Nearly twenty years later, Stubbs is the Head Men’s Basketball Coach and Athletic Director and is still motivated by that same passion for the student-athlete experience.

From a young age, Stubbs was heavily involved in sports, where he understood what was required on and off the court to be successful. By reaching the collegiate level and mentoring youth through that summer program, he saw the bigger picture and the chance to mold students' character through competition. When the opportunity presented itself at Oxford College almost two decades ago, he ran a fast break for it and has been part of the Oxford community since that day.

Today, overseeing all ten varsity sports, Stubbs continues to build that passion, sharing meaningful lessons with every athlete who wears an Oxford jersey. 

The mindset he invests in all the athletes goes beyond competition. Working with the high-achieving students at Oxford, Stubbs emphasizes balance and perspective. Academics always come first, followed by responsibility to the team and any leadership obligations. He notes, “student-athletes are leaders on campus, expected to represent their program while engaging in the many opportunities Oxford offers.” Through this balance, players learn to manage their priorities, fulfill their responsibilities, and understand the impact that they have on the community

For Coach Stubbs, success starts with understanding what players can control. “The main thing that we try to instill is attitude and effort," Stubbs explains. "You always want to have a positive attitude and put forth the effort." From that, we understand life can throw you many different curveballs. Whether in the middle of a game or in the classroom, athletes are challenged to approach every situation with purpose and positivity. When difficulty arises, Stubbs teaches student athletes to focus on the next right thing or the next play. This mindset encourages resilience, accountability, and growth long after the final buzzer sounds.

Looking back on his third-year coaching at Oxford, when the wins were low, he emphasized that the growth was not. Through his team and leadership, Stubbs learned to rebound from failure and focus less on wins and losses and more on the lessons learned. Those moments, he says, often teach the most lasting lessons. He says, “Success is the athlete trying to do their best by developing skills they can take with them for a lifetime.” 

This idea comes to life on the courts while practicing a fundamental drill that Stubbs consistently returns to.  He calls the drill “start, stops, and turns.” This exercise focuses on learning how to begin correctly, stop under control, and pivot with purpose. While seemingly basic, Stubbs sees the drill as a foundation for consistency and growth, pointing out that mastering the basics helps build confidence and adapt to whatever may be thrown their way. The liberal arts education students receive at Oxford College follows a similar fundamental drill, building a strong foundation across a wide range of subjects so students can pivot, problem-solve, and thrive no matter which direction life takes them. 

Ultimately, Coach Stubbs understands that the lasting impact of athletics lies in who students become, not just in what they win. He is most proud of the academic success of all of Oxford’s student athletes, from numerous teams earning the Academic Team of the Year award to the record number of student-athletes who are NJCAA academic members. That academic achievement, paired with the life lessons learned, is what makes the Oxford experience most meaningful to Stubbs.

While two decades of service and mentorship might tempt some to look back, Coach Stubbs is firmly focused on the road ahead. For him, the perfect program isn't defined by the number of trophies in the case, but by the quality of the journey provided to every student who plays on the court or steps foot onto Oxford’s beautiful campus.

Since Coach Stubbs’ first day on campus at Oxford, his vision has remained unchanged. The ultimate victory isn't within the final score; it's the person the athlete becomes well after that final whistle blows.