Reports: Texas fires Rodney Terry after falling in First Four

The University of Texas has informed head coach Rodney Terry that he has been fired, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.

Terry guided the Longhorns to an Elite Eight appearance in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. He also led Texas to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons.

The Longhorns finished with a 19-16 record this season — including 6-12 in the Southeastern Conference — after squandering a 10-point second-half lead in an 86-80 setback to Xavier in the First Four on Wednesday.

After the game, Terry was asked about his view of his job status.

“I’ve been at Texas 13 years, and there’s not a year I haven’t made the NCAA Tournament or been part of the NCAA Tournament,” Terry said. “I have a lot of pride in terms of being a Longhorn. I love being at Texas. I don’t think anyone has been a part of Texas basketball that’s been more successful than myself. I’ve been a part of the top-five seasons in this program’s history.”

Terry got the top job on an interim basis when Chris Beard was suspended for an alleged domestic violence incident during the 2022-23 season, and Terry was made the program’s permanent coach in March 2023 after Beard was fired.

Terry owns a 62-37 record as the boss in Austin. He previously served as a Longhorns assistant from 2002-03 to 2010-11 and again in 2021-22.

Terry, 56, was the head coach at Fresno State from 2011-12 to 2017-18, leading the Bulldogs to one NCAA Tournament appearance, and he led UTEP from 2018-19 to 2020-21. Overall, he owns a 225-193 record as a head coach.