Rodney Terry was officially announced as the 26th head coach of the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball program on Monday.
Terry agreed to a five-year deal worth roughly $3 million annually just one day after Texas was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
Texas held his introductory press conference on Tuesday where the entire team, former players, and many media members were present.
Hiring Terry was a win-win for Texas and its new head basketball coach. The former Texas assistant was thrust into the head role in December following Chris Beard’s arrest.
Since then, Terry led the team to a Big 12 Tournament championship and Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Longhorns put together arguably the best season for the program since 2003.
Here’s a recap of Terry’s introductory press conference along with a few interesting comments from the new head coach.
Rodney Terry was the lead recruiter for Ron Holland and AJ Johnson, the two five-star signees in the 2023 recruiting class, but said that the current players were the best recruiters in keeping them committed to playing at Texas. #HookEm
— Wescott Eberts (@SBN_Wescott) March 28, 2023
Uniting the family is certainly not going away with Rodney Terry at the helm. He rattles off a long list of former players and coaches that he spoke with since he had the interim tag removed. #HookEm
— HornSports (@HornSports) March 28, 2023
New #Texas #Longhorns basketball coach @RodneyTerry said, “I’m hoping our whole staff is back and we go on another great run.” Terry called assistants Bob Donewald Jr, Chris Ogden, Brandon Chappell, special asst Steve McClain and strength coach John Reilly “elite.”
— Chip Brown (@ChipBrown247) March 28, 2023
Terry: I like to build teams that are dynamic that can beat teams in different ways
— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) March 28, 2023
It's a great day to be alive. It's a great day to be a Longhorn! 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/WYgR5JgyIV
— Texas Men’s Basketball (@TexasMBB) March 28, 2023
"I know my father is up in heaven today with his horns up high."- Rodney Terry
— HornSports (@HornSports) March 28, 2023
The final line of Rodney Terry's opening remarks: "We're going to be a Monday night program, and we're going to get there sooner than you think." #HookEm
— Jeff Howe (@JeffHowe247) March 28, 2023
Rodney Terry says this contract is a nice birthday present but laughingly says a Final Four trip would’ve been an even better one.
— Tyler Feldman (@TylerFeldmanTV) March 28, 2023
Rodney Terry: "This brand right here is incredible. It's powerful. It made me leave a head coaching job because of the experience, and because it's elite. The elite of the elite are at the University of Texas."https://t.co/uNRth7OVYK
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) March 28, 2023
Rodney Terry said Chris Beard reached out to him yesterday to congratulate him. #HookEm
— HornSports (@HornSports) March 28, 2023
Rodney Terry and NBA legend LaMarcus Aldridge pic.twitter.com/IdaUXI8vp6
— TSTV Sports (@TSTVSports) March 28, 2023
Rodney Terry to Eltife, Hartzell, CDC: "Your alignment is what allows us to build a championship level program, and we appreciate your support for our men's basketball program as we continue to develop young men and work towards playing in a Monday night championship game."
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) March 28, 2023
RT said he talked to DJ Augustin last night at well. He said DJ was thrilled that RT has the opportunity to lead @TexasMBB Augustin, TJ Ford, Lamarcus Aldridge, Kevin Durant and Tristan Thompson are among the lifetime #Longhorns who continue to support the program. #HookEm
— Jeff Howe (@JeffHowe247) March 28, 2023
Rodney Terry's press conference ends with Brock Cunningham asking the final question, "What's the first thing you're going to do as the head basketball coach at Texas?"
Terry says he wants to sit down and talk with his team to let them know how much he appreciates them.
— Wescott Eberts (@SBN_Wescott) March 28, 2023
Rodney Terry arrives to a standing ovation as he is named head coach at Texas. pic.twitter.com/AzLEuNZvNn
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) March 28, 2023
Rodney Terry's players are finishing his sentences out loud, in unison as he talks about what kind of @TexasMBB squad he plans to put on the court. #HookEm
— Jeff Howe (@JeffHowe247) March 28, 2023
