Texas’ Rodney Terry gives emotional answer when asked about future with team: ‘It was always about these guys’
The basketball season in Texas ended on Sunday. The wait for the Longhorns and Rodney Terry begins now.
As interim coach, Terry led the Longhorns to the program’s second Elite Eight during the extended bracket era. Texas won the Big 12 tournament, finishing 22-8 under his lead. He was named Basketball Coach of the Year by Sporting News College. But he has yet to receive any assurances from the school about his future in Austin.
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In an emotional post-game press conference following Texas’ 88-81 loss to Miami in the Midwest Region Finals, Terry said he hadn’t thought about his future with the team. Instead, he spoke about how much his time with this group of players means to him.
“To be honest, I haven’t really had much time to think about it. I’ve been so busy and invested in my team,” said Terry. “Again, I love these guys. I will not only love these guys for the time I have the chance to coach them, I will love them for the rest of their lives. I’ll be at their weddings, I’ll talk to these guys when they have their first child.”
Chris Beard was fired as a Texas coach on Jan. 5, less than a month after he was suspended on Dec. 12 for arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.
Terry was immediately appointed interim head coach. He led the team to an 87-81 overtime win over Rice on the day of Beard’s arrest. Terry’s Longhorns won the program’s second conference tournament title.
MORE: Rodney Terry named TSN Coach of the Year
Terry had experience as a head coach before coming to Texas. He was the head coach of Fresno State for seven seasons. He had a 126-108 record, a conference tournament championship and an NCAA tournament appearance. He then coached at UTEP for three seasons before joining Beard’s staff for the 2021–22 season.
It’s clear Terry has the support of his players. Graduate transfer guard Sir’Jabari Rice called Beard “the ultimate leader” and strongly endorsed him getting the full-time job.
“I wouldn’t ask for anyone else to be here. I don’t understand why he doesn’t have a coaching job yet. You can include that in your article, too,” Rice said in the dressing room. “He’s just a great person, a great guy. He’s a guy who deserves everything. He’s just a guy who knows how to get his players ready every night.”
Terry may not have been reassured that he will return, but he made it clear during his press conference what it was like coaching this year’s team.
“It was all about this team,” Terry said, fighting back tears. “I have enjoyed every single day of this journey with this group and I will really miss it – I will really miss working with this group. It was never about me. It was always about these guys. I love these guys.”