Here’s the truth of the matter.
Outside of some miracle run to the Final 4 in March (if they even make the tournament), there is absolutely no way that Rodney Terry will be back in Austin next season. Calls for the embattled 3rd-year Texas head men’s basketball coach have only grown louder since the Longhorns dropped their latest game to SEC basement dweller South Carolina (0-13 in conference) by double digits.
Since filling in for the dismissed Chris Beard in 2023 in an interim capacity and leading Texas to an Elite 8 appearance, Terry and the Longhorns have noticeably regressed each year since then.
This year, despite having, arguably, Texas’ best offensive player since Kevin Durant in Tre Johnson, the Longhorns have struggled in their first year in the SEC, going 5-9 in conference so far, having lost 4 out of their last 5 games. Against ranked opponents, Texas is currently 3-7 and on-pace to match their abysmal 3-8 record from last season. Overall, the Longhorns under Terry have posted a 14-21 record against ranked opponents with 8 of those wins being from his first season at the helm.
The writing is on the wall and it’s only a matter of time before Texas’ emotional hire is dismissed sometime next month.
So, why not play it a little early and start looking into potential replacements to become Texas’ new men’s head basketball coach.
Most Likely Candidates
Grant McCasland – Texas Tech
Texas has the opportunity to do the funniest thing to their rival out in Lubbock by poaching ANOTHER rising star basketball coach (ala Chris Beard). This is possibly the most obvious choice given that McCasland’s name was being brought up as a candidate several years ago when he transformed North Texas from doormat to a 2nd round appearance in the NCAA tournament and an NIT champion. Unfortunately for Texas, they opted to name Terry the head coach while McCasland has since coached Texas Tech back into the top 10 in college basketball.
In 16 years of coaching, the Irving, Texas native has never had a losing record, sporting an impressive 255-106 record (.706) in NCAA play.
I’m more than certain Chris Del Conte and his booster collective would be more than willing to cough up the approximately $8 million it would cost to break the remainder of his contract.
T.J. Otzelberger – Iowa State
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since we were talking about ANOTHER Iowa State Cyclones head coach who seemed like a rising star (see Fred Hoiberg). T.J. Otzelberger is currently in his 4th year with the Cyclones and well on his way to his 4th straight NCAA tournament appearance, having taken a team that went 2-22 the previous season to winning 22 games and a trip to the Sweet 16 in his first season. Last season, Otzelberger brought a Big 12 tournament championship back to Ames for the first time in 5 years.
Texas could make a run at the young coach, given that he’s proven that he can turn around a program following several years of doldrums and I’m certain if an Austin phone number called Otzelberger’s cell, he’d absolutely pick it up to see what he could do with Texas’ seemingly endless supply of resources at his disposal.
Will Wade – McNeese St.
A young coach with plenty left to prove, Will Wade has wasted zero time turning the McNeese State Cowboys into lower mid-major juggernaut. In his two years at the helm following his dismissal from LSU due to recruiting violations, the Cowboys have gone 45-8 with two regular season conference titles, and barring a major upset in the Southland Conference tournament, he’s on pace to double the number of times the program has ever appeared in the NCAA tournament.
Whether if it was VCU, LSU, or McNeese State, Wade has consistently led all of his teams to the postseason. Not having reached past the Sweet 16 may irk some boosters in Austin, but his track record should place him squarely in Del Conte’s radar.
Not As Likely
Kelvin Sampson – Houston
Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars have been knocking at the door for nearly 7 years and haven’t lost more than 8 games in a season in 8 years, despite moving to the much more challenging Big XII conference last season, having won two straight regular season titles. In that time span, the Cougars have made 7 straight trips to the NCAA Sweet 16, advancing as far as the Final 4.
As impressive as his resume has been, it might be what keeps him from making the leap to head up Texas. Why would Sampson leave a program that was meddling in mediocrity for nearly 3 decades, that he’s built from the ground up into a perennial contender when he’s THIS close to a title? Mind you, it wasn’t JUST Houston that required a rebuild, it was also Sampson’s career. A career which was derailed suddenly due to recruiting violations that led the now 69-year old to be fired in just his 2nd year leading the Indiana Hoosiers.
Following a 5-year NCAA prohibition, Houston brought on Sampson, who has since become the 2nd winningest coach in program history and, in return for providing him with another chance, Sampson has shown absolutely no desire to leave his post.
Although Texas fans have LONG clamored to poach the Houston coach, especially given that he’s coaching successfully in their own state, perhaps this latest coaching cycle will finally pour cold water on the idea that he’d EVER leave.
Probably Not, But Maybe?
Chris Beard – Ole Miss
If there’s anything America loves, it’s a comeback story. Only, maybe, Beard might not be so willing to come back to the school that readily dismissed him over allegations that proved to be admitted acts of self-defense, claiming him to be “unfit” for the role. However, given the social climate where a former President whom was charged and convicted of several felonies and impeached twice was just re-elected into office, perhaps Texas, their alumni and students, and Beard may feel that his return wouldn’t be as implausible as it once was.
Beard is an excellent coach by every standard, sporting a record of 275–117 (.702) and was a possession and a non-call away from possibly winning a title with Texas Tech in 2019.
Since his unceremonious exit from Texas, Beard has remained a hot commodity in the coaching carousel, having declined Arkansas’ offer to stay with the Rebels and is currently being floated as a possible candidate for the prestigious Indiana Hoosiers gig.
Although a reunion between the prodigal son and the program that raised him would be interesting, it’s much more likely than not that they both move on, permanently, from each other.
