The Texas Longhorns have parted ways with head basketball coach Rodney Terry after a disappointing exit from the play-in game for the NCAA Tournament. Terry’s tenure ended with a 62-37 overall record, including a 19-16 mark this season . Despite making the NCAA Tournament three times, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2023, Terry’s inability to sustain consistency and deliver a deeper tournament run ultimately led to his dismissal.
Terry had three years remaining on his contract, which will cost the university approximately $6 million to buy out. The Longhorns will now begin their search for a new head coach, aiming to find a proven winner who can elevate the program to new heights. With a strong athletic program and a relatively new home arena, Texas is considered one of the top jobs in college basketball .
Rodney Terry’s time at Texas
Rodney Terry’s tenure as the Texas Longhorns’ head coach has come to an end after a disappointing 2024-2025 season. Terry, who joined the University of Texas coaching staff in 2002 as an assistant under Rick Barnes, took over as head coach during the 2022-2023 season after Chris Beard’s departure ¹.
Terry’s initial success, leading the Longhorns to a Big 12 Conference Tournament win and a trip to the Elite Eight, earned him a five-year, $15 million deal. However, the team struggled in the following seasons, going 21-13 in 2023-2024 and 19-16 in 2024-2025, with a 6-12 record in conference play during their first season in the Southeastern Conference ¹ ².
The final blow came when the Longhorns blew a 13-point lead against Xavier in the NCAA Tournament play-in game. Despite having SEC Player of the Year Tre Johnson on the roster, Terry’s inability to land top recruits and the team’s inconsistent performance ultimately led to his dismissal ¹ ².
Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte stated that the decision to part ways with Terry was made after reviewing every facet of the program, citing the need for a different direction ¹. Terry, who will receive a $6 million buyout, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to live his dream as the Longhorns’ head coach ².
