Rodney Terry’s journey as a head coach has been a rollercoaster of emotions. From leading programs with grit to facing the harsh realities of college basketball’s win-or-go culture, Terry has seen it all. Now, as Texas officially enters offseason mode, reports indicate that the Longhorns are likely moving on from Terry after a disappointing 2024-25 season.
Now, this decision comes after Texas barely made it into the NCAA Tournament and suffered an early exit in the First Four against Xavier. With this, Terry’s coaching future seems pretty uncertain. Let’s dive into his career achievements and what’s next for him.
Rodney Terry’s Coaching Record Of His Wins and Key Moments
Rodney Terry’s coaching career began as an assistant coach at Baylor, where he built a reputation as a recruiter. He later moved to Texas as an assistant under Rick Barnes before getting his first head coaching opportunity at Fresno State in 2011.
Fresno State (2011-2018)
Terry took over a struggling Fresno State program and steadily built it into a competitive team in the Mountain West Conference. He led the Bulldogs to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016.
This achievement marked one of the biggest highlights of his early head coaching career. In total, Terry recorded a 126-108 record at Fresno State, proving he could rebuild a program in a tough mid-major conference.
UTEP (2018-2021)
His next stop was UTEP, where he was expected to bring the Miners back to national relevance. However, success didn’t come as easily. Over three seasons, Terry posted a 37-48 record.
While his teams showed promise, UTEP never reached the NCAA Tournament under his leadership. Despite this, Terry remained respected for his ability to recruit and develop talent.
Texas (2022-2025)
Terry returned to Texas in 2021 as an assistant before being thrust into the interim head coaching role in 2022 following the dismissal of Chris Beard. He guided the Longhorns through adversity, leading them to the Elite Eight in 2023 and earning a full-time contract as head coach.
His first full season in charge (2023-24) was respectable, but his second year (2024-25) proved to be underwhelming.
With a final Texas record of 62-37, including a 4-3 mark in the NCAA Tournament, Terry’s tenure had moments of promise but ultimately fell short of expectations. The First Four loss to Xavier in 2025 sealed his fate, as Texas fans and boosters demanded a change.
However, coaching in Texas comes with high stakes. Despite Terry’s initial success, the past two seasons raised doubts about whether he was the right man for the job long-term.
Criticism mounted throughout the 2024–25 season, with Texas struggling to secure quality wins and barely sneaking into the NCAA Tournament.
The breaking point came during a home game against Alabama, where Terry was met with noticeable boos during pregame introductions. Fan frustration had reached a boiling point, and the pressure became too much to ignore.
What’s Next for Rodney Terry?
Following the First Four exit, multiple reports—including from Horns247’s Chip Brown and The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman—indicated that Texas would be moving in a different direction. This decision aligns with the university’s ambition to remain among the nation’s elite programs, where early tournament exits are simply unacceptable.
Despite the challenges he faced in Austin, he remains a respected figure in college basketball. Potential landing spots could include mid-major programs seeking an experienced leader or Power Five schools in need of a strong recruiter.
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Additionally, Terry could explore assistant coaching opportunities at a top-tier program, similar to his previous role at Texas.
His time in Texas may have ended on a sour note. However, his impact on the program, particularly in stabilizing it after Chris Beard’s departure, shouldn’t be overlooked.
With a 62-37 record at Texas and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, his resume remains solid. Many players and analysts have praised Terry’s leadership, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him back in a head coaching role soon.
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