Rodney Terry, whose Elite Eight run in 2023 as Texas’ interim basketball coach helped him earn a five-year contract to run the program in the wake of Chris Beard’s shocking dismissal, has been let go with three years remaining on a deal that pays him $3 million annually, a source close to the situation told Horns247 on Sunday.
Texas has since confirmed Terry is being let go.
Horns247 reported last Wednesday Terry would be let go and Xavier’s Sean Miller would be a leading candidate to replace Terry. A source close to the situation told Horns247 Miller will be the next coach at Texas.
Terry, who will receive a $5.4 million contract settlement, according to the terms of his deal, is a beloved figure in Texas basketball circles after serving as a Longhorns’ assistant to Rick Barnes from 2002-11, a span that included Texas’ only trip to the Final Four (in 2003) with star point guard TJ Ford, followed by a parade of future NBA talent, including Kevin Durant, the Naismith Player of the Year in 2007 as a freshman.
“This was a very difficult decision and one that we put a great deal of thought, consideration and discussion into as we evaluated where we are as a men’s basketball program,” Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement on Sunday. “My philosophy has always been to wait until the end of the season and review every facet of our program before making any final decisions, and we’ve been doing that since our heartbreaking First Four loss in the NCAA Tournament.
“In looking at everything over the past three seasons, our first year in the SEC this past year, and where we’re headed in the future, Coach Terry and I have decided it is in the best interest of The University of Texas to move in a different direction. Coach Terry has led our program in a first-class manner, and we’ve accomplished some great things. He did a tremendous job in his first season helping to manage a very difficult situation, and we’re truly grateful for that. We appreciate all he’s done for our student-athletes and program and wish him the best in the future.”
Terry said in a statement on Sunday:
“I am so appreciative to have served The University of Texas and our men’s basketball program for 13 seasons. It was a dream of mine to be the head coach of the Longhorns, and I’ve been able to live that dream. I want to thank all of our coaches and current and former players who not only helped us win a lot of games, but more importantly represented this great university in a first-class manner. Thank you to Longhorn Nation, our student section “The Corral,” and all of our wonderful donors and supporters who have been consistently great to me and our program. I’ll forever be a Longhorn.”
