rhodes started his coaching career as a player-coach for íþróttafélag reykjavíkur. he led the club to the third-best record in 1994–95 with 24 wins and 8 losses. the regular season success did not continue in the playoffs though as the team got swept in the first round by skallagrímur. during his second season at the helm of ír, the club finished seventh in the úrvalsdeild and lost in the first round to haukar.