Bio

Todd Rima is in his second year as Director of Athletics at Kirkwood Community College, where he has helped elevate the Eagles’ athletic department both academically and competitively. During his tenure, Kirkwood student-athletes have posted a combined 3.3 GPA, with 76% earning Academic All-Region honors in the spring. On the competitive side, Kirkwood teams have won 78% of their contests, produced five national tournament qualifiers, and captured one national championship. The Eagles have also celebrated 12 All-Americans, four ICCAC Players of the Year, two ICCAC Coaches of the Year, one National Coach of the Year, and one National Player of the Year. Committed to developing local talent, 70% of Kirkwood’s rosters are comprised of student-athletes from the state of Iowa, reflecting Rima’s focus on excellence, opportunity, and community impact.

Rima is in his 14th season as the head coach of the Kirkwood Eagles baseball program. Rima has won 806 games in his career and led the Eagles to a 495-256 record in 13 seasons. The Eagles qualified for the NJCAA World Series three times under Rima.

Last season, the Eagles landed eight players on the All-Region teams, led by First Team recipients Cal Sullivan, Boede Rahe, and Jaxon Schumacher.  The Eagles were able to bring home ICCAC players of the year in 2021, 2022 and 2025 in Alex Pendergast, Chase Moseley, and Cal Sullivan. Sullivan went on to be the first Eagle to be named NJCAA National Player of the Year.  Rahe joined him on the All-American team as a 3^rd team recipient.  The Eagles also took great pride in the classroom posting a team GPA of 3.56. 

Under Rima, the Eagles have put an emphasis on player development and placement. Last year, all 16 sophomores moved on to four-year schools to play, including 10 to the Division 1 level. In 2025, the Eagles led NJCAA D2 schools in having the most former players at the Division 1 level.  Kirkwood has had 7 freshmen commit to Power 5 schools after their first year.    

Rima has also coached former Eagle players who have gone on to have professional careers. Eagles Shane Kemp and Angel Merced played professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. Additionally, pitcher Peyton Long played for the Milwaukee Brewers organization.  Cameron Cowan signed with the Cincinnati Reds. Levi Usher was drafted in the 10th round by the KC Royals, Austin Krob was drafted in the 12th round by the San Diego Padres, and Zion Pettigrew signed a free-agent deal with the Washington Nationals. Korry Howell was drafted twice while an Eagle and signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.  

Prior to Kirkwood, Rima spent 11 years as the head baseball coach at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa. Before coaching at NIACC, Rima was an assistant coach at the University of Northern Iowa, which is also where he played his collegiate baseball, spending three years at UNI and helping guide the Panthers to their first Division I regional tournament.

Rima graduated from Northern Iowa in 1999 with a degree in physical education. He has three children, Jalen, Bailey, and Payton. They currently reside in Fairfax.

 *covid season