The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team is officially heading into the offseason with major changes on the horizon following their recent exit from the NCAA tournament. After a disappointing 86-80 loss to the Xavier Musketeers during the First Four on March 19, 2025, head coach Rodney Terry is not expected to return next season.
Terry, who stepped up as interim head coach in January 2023 after the firing of Chris Beard, managed to bring the Longhorns to the Elite Eight that season. However, the past two seasons have seen a declining trajectory for the program. With a record of 19-16 this season, the Longhorns failed to meet the lofty expectations set when Terry assumed the role permanently following his initial success.
Against Xavier, Texas began strong, holding an eight-point lead at halftime. However, the second half proved disastrous as the Musketeers outscored the Longhorns 47-33, clinching the win and a place in the next round. The defeat marked yet another disappointment for the Longhorns, who have struggled since joining the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
The loss to Xavier highlighted several issues that plagued Texas this season, including an absence of offensive identity and critical late-game mistakes. Freshman standout Tre Johnson, who was the team's leading scorer against Xavier with 23 points, found himself in hot water as he missed key free throws and made a series of mistakes late in the game.
Chris Del Conte, the athletic director for Texas, is reportedly already on the lookout for a new head coach. Sources indicate that Texas is likely to part ways with Terry due to two consecutive years of underperformance, particularly following their failure to advance from the First Four playoff.
Terry inherited a team built by Beard, which had reached the Elite Eight in 2023, and was awarded the full-time position with a five-year contract worth $15.3 million after that successful run. Since then, however, the Longhorns have finished on the bubble of the NCAA tournament, missing out entirely in 2024 and failing to progress this year.
Amidst the speculation, Terry has maintained his focus on recruiting and developing the talent that the program desperately needs. Despite questions surrounding his job security, he emphasized individual and team growth as his main priorities, stating, “At the end of the day, it’s in God’s hands. I live my life; I’m a believer.”
The coaching searches at Texas have historically moved quickly, with Del Conte likely eyeing potential candidates already while considering Terry’s future. Past trends indicate that Texas athletic leadership prefers to have a choice lined up before parting with a head coach, as seen with previous transitions in football and baseball.
Potential replacements for Terry include Sean Miller, the current head coach of Xavier who led his team to victory against the Longhorns and was previously considered for the Texas job after Beard's departure. Texas will need to decide swiftly, as the new season approaches, and program direction hangs in the balance.
As the dust settles on another tumultuous season, fans are left wondering what the future holds for Texas basketball. With a roster that could see significant changes and the coaching staff likely to shift, the Longhorns must find a way to regain their competitive edge now that they've officially entered the offseason.
