Texas Longhorns Fire Head Coach Rodney Terry After NCAA Tournament Exit

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Rodney Terry has been fired as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team following a disappointing exit in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. After leading the team to the Elite Eight in 2023, Terry’s Longhorns fell 86-80 to Xavier in the First Four matchup on Thursday night.

Terry, who took over as interim coach in December 2022 after Chris Beard‘s firing amid legal troubles, oversaw a turbulent season filled with expectations that ultimately culminated in his dismissal. In the past two seasons, he guided Texas to the NCAA tournament but consistently struggled to advance past the first weekend.

The Longhorns entered the NCAA tournament this year with a record of 19-16 and a sixth-place finish in the SEC at 6-12. This season, their performance was disappointing compared to expectations after a strong finish to the previous year. “It’s just disappointing,” Terry said. “We had a good run in the SEC tournament, but we just couldn’t maintain that momentum.”

During his tenure, Terry achieved a 62-37 record, which translates to a .626 winning percentage. His early success included a surprising run to the Elite Eight in his first season, which earned him a full-time contract. However, this season’s struggles and the early tournament exit ultimately led to his decision to part ways with the program.

Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte is now tasked with finding the program’s fourth head coach since Shaka Smart left in 2021 after unsuccessful tenures. Sean Miller, the coach of Xavier, has been mentioned as a top candidate for the position. Del Conte had previously sought Miller’s expertise before promoting Terry.

“We are grateful for Coach Terry’s contributions, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” a university source stated when announcing Terry’s firing. “But we believe it’s time for a change that aligns more closely with the long-term goals of the program.”

Expectations were high for the Longhorns this year, especially after they gained momentum late in the regular season, including a run to the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. However, falling to Xavier in the First Four — a game the Longhorns led early — sealed Terry’s fate.

As Texas searches for a new coach, the direction of the program and potential targets will be closely watched by fans and analysts. The future remains uncertain for the Longhorns as they head into a new era of leadership.