Rodney Terry Out as Texas Basketball Coach After NCAA Loss

DAYTON, Ohio – Rodney Terry has reportedly been dismissed as head coach of the Texas Longhorns basketball team following a disappointing 86-80 loss to Xavier in the First Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament. The news surfaced late Wednesday, with official confirmation expected on Thursday.

Terry compiled a 62-37 record in three seasons with Texas, leading the Longhorns to three NCAA tournament appearances, including a Big 12 tournament championship and an Elite Eight run in 2023. However, this season marked a decline, with the Longhorns finishing at 19-16 overall after struggling in their inaugural SEC campaign.

“I’ve been at Texas 13 years, and there’s not a year I haven’t made the NCAA Tournament or been a part of the NCAA Tournament,” Terry said after the loss to Xavier. “I have a lot of pride in terms of being a Longhorn.”

Terry initially took over the Longhorns as an interim coach in December 2022, following the firing of Chris Beard due to legal troubles stemming from a domestic violence charge. Under Terry’s guidance, Texas finished the 2022-23 season with a record of 22-8 and advanced to the Elite Eight, earning Terry the Sporting News National Coach of the Year accolade.

Despite the initial success, this season’s struggles continued to mount. The Longhorns were ranked in the top 20 in the preseason AP poll and began the season strong, winning 12 of their first 15 games. However, they faltered, posting a 10-10 record in their final 20 games and losing in the NCAA tournament’s second round to Tennessee last year.

After the loss to Xavier, the disappointment among fans and supporters grew. Texas failed to reach the 20-win mark for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Terry’s coaching tenure concluded amid a backdrop of high expectations, ultimately culminating in the announcement of his firing.

According to reports, Terry’s buyout stands at $5.4 million, with his annual salary exceeding $3 million this season. He previously served as an assistant for Texas from 2002 to 2011 before returning to the program in 2021.

The Longhorns’ disappointing ending has sparked discussions among fans and sports analysts alike about the future direction of the program.