The Texas Longhorns have made a significant move in their men’s basketball program, officially parting ways with head coach Rodney Terry after two seasons. Terry was initially brought on as the interim head coach in 2023, stepping in following Chris Beard’s exit. Under his guidance, the Longhorns made a commendable run to the Elite Eight that year. However, the 2024 campaign failed to build on that momentum, culminating in an upsetting early exit from the NCAA Tournament. Texas fell to Xavier, 86-80, in the First Four, marking the second consecutive season Terry’s team saw their tournament journey cut short well before expected.
This marks the end of a chapter for Terry, who had previously built a solid foundation as an assistant coach under Rick Barnes from 2002 to 2011 before taking on head coaching roles at Fresno State and UTEP. At Fresno, he took the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament in 2016, showcasing his potential. However, despite the promise shown during his time at Texas, he couldn’t maintain that success long enough to hold onto the position.
In the wake of Terry’s departure, the Longhorns have set their sights on Sean Miller, the current head coach at Xavier, as their leading candidate. Miller, who made his return to Xavier in 2022 following a successful tenure at Arizona, has brought the program back to the NCAA Tournament, skillfully navigating a season riddled with injuries. Ironically, his Xavier team was the one that sent Texas packing from the tournament.
Miller is eager for the opportunity to reestablish himself among college basketball’s elite with Texas, tapping into the program’s resources and potential in the SEC. His impressive resume features 415 career wins against just 184 losses, with a legacy of 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, four Elite Eight finishes, and eight Sweet 16 showings. Notably, his postseason record of 20-11 highlights his knack for performing in high-pressure situations.
During his time at Arizona, Miller secured five Pac-12 regular-season titles along with a conference tournament championship. His first run at Xavier also saw him claim three Atlantic 10 regular-season titles and a conference tournament victory. Beyond team successes, he has been adept at player development, nurturing multiple NBA draft picks, including five who were selected in the top-10 at Arizona. His contributions extend to USA Basketball, where he bagged three gold medals—one as a player and two as a coach.
As Texas embarks on this new chapter, it has long been anticipated that they would move on from Terry. Despite a promising start, the team’s struggle with consistency throughout the season ultimately led to this decision. Texas aims to act swiftly in their search for a new head coach, with Miller currently in the spotlight. However, the program remains open to exploring additional options before settling on their final choice. Whether it’s Miller or another candidate at the helm, the Longhorns are on a mission to secure a leader capable of restoring sustained success and elevating the program back to national prominence.
