OTF Premium What has this week done for Rodney Terry? (Friday 7:20 am CST)

[Gerry Hamilton]

What has this week done for Rodney Terry?

Entering the SEC Tournament the future of Rodney Terry at Texas was when, not if. 

Now after wins over Vanderbilt and Texas A&M very likely resulting in Texas getting a bid in the field of 68, Terry's tenure has life in Austin. 

OnTexasFootball does not believe Terry is assured of being retained just by getting in the Field of 68. So the next question is what does Terry need to accomplish in the NCAA Tournament to get another year in Austin. 

The first scenario is very simple, can't drop the play-in game and be secure. The problem with losing in the Round of 68 would be trajectory of the program. From Elite 8 to Round of 32 to Round of 68. 

But what happens if Texas wins the play-in game, and advances? That provides Terry with the opportunity to earn another year. That would be winning a game in the tournament three straight seasons. 

If Texas wins two games in the NCAA Tournament, another season odds go way up. Winning six games in three seasons in the NCAA Tournament is not normally the formula to get one fired - save a few blue bloods. But Texas is not a blue blood in hoops. Firing a coach and paying him 4.5-5 million to leave after winning six NCAA Tournament games in three seasons is a lower percentage probability. 

Also for Terry's future ...

Rodney Terry's two wins in the SEC Tournament will prove very beneficial in getting another job (USF has shown real interest) if Terry and Texas part ways. 

 

 

 

[THookem]

Bringing back Terry saves money for the athletic department.   

[Hunter Smith]

I like to compare Terry to David Pierce last year. He made the a regional last year but the trajectory of the program was not good enough. 

[qaertyisthatdude]

It’s not over until CDC sings but Terry is just auditioning for a new gig similar to Shaka Smart.  I think Terry takes a new job before he gets “fired” by Texas.

[awashbump]

How is basketball recruiting looking? If Terry is able to bring in some studs that may be another reason to keep him around

[Wabi Sabi]

I like Rodney. Seems like a genuinely great guy. Probably a solid coach too, but seems like a better fit for a mid-major.

At the end of the day, he's not elevating the program. Not just from a W-L perspective, but also with regards to the fan engagement, generating buzz, etc. 

Seems like he's treading water rather than having a vision as to how to grow the program overall.

[Gerry Hamilton]

4 minutes ago, qaertyisthatdude said:

It’s not over until CDC sings but Terry is just auditioning for a new gig similar to Shaka Smart.  I think Terry takes a new job before he gets “fired” by Texas.

I think that scenario could well be in play, and has been. 

[Gerry Hamilton]

1 minute ago, awashbump said:

How is basketball recruiting looking? If Terry is able to bring in some studs that may be another reason to keep him around

Portal opens March 24 and closes April 22. 

Texas will have 6-7 spots to fill from the portal, if not eight. 

Tre - NBA
Tramon Mark
Kadin Shedrick
Arthur Kaluma
Julian Larry
Jayson Kent
Ze'rik Onyema

All gone. 

Heard rumblings of a transfer out too. 

[GetHooked]

18 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Rodney Terry's two wins in the SEC Tournament will prove very beneficial in getting another job

That's the way I see it too.

[pinkman_90]

[texcoyote15]

14 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

I think that scenario could well be in play, and has been. 

I hope this helps get him a good job and CDC brings in a top notch coach and let’s turn this thing around. 

[Assistant Regional Manager]

1 hour ago, Hunter Smith said:

I like to compare Terry to David Pierce last year. He made the a regional last year but the trajectory of the program was not good enough. 

Pierce was largely let go because of multiple off-field issues/incidents, including several at the end of his tenure that put the nail in the coffin.

I don’t think it’s an apples to apples comparison. If Terry is fired, it won’t be because of that. Pierce also had results on the field that far exceed what Terry has done that could have bought him more time if it wasn’t for the other issues.

Edited March 14 by Assistant Regional Manager

[connorkp23]

I have to say, winning 2 or 3 games at the end of a season is an idiotic way to determine whether to retain a coach. Either he runs your program well enough 365 days a year to be the coach, or he doesn’t. Terry doesn’t. 

[Itsamystery]

At Texas, success does not mean continuation of employment when it comes to head coaches. CDC has dismissed coaches with winning records and bowl season success. And I agree with the previous poster, the season loses are not secondary all at once to a run in the SEC tournament. Win any number of late season games and Texas is not in the do or die situation they now face.

[Hashtag]

3 hours ago, THookem said:

Bringing back Terry saves money for the athletic department.   

It's hard to believe you're 87 years old now Deloss!

[bierce]

I don't think we're in the tournament just yet. 

18 brackets updated this morning.  Texas and Xavier are each on 11 and would be first out/last in.  Indiana and UNC are each on more.   Boise State could pick up a lot of votes if it beats UNM today. 

Edited March 14 by bierce

[bierce]

3 hours ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Portal opens March 24 and closes April 22. 

Texas will have 6-7 spots to fill from the portal, if not eight. 

Tre - NBA
Tramon Mark
Kadin Shedrick
Arthur Kaluma
Julian Larry
Jayson Kent
Ze'rik Onyema

All gone. 

Heard rumblings of a transfer out too. 

Has Mark officially declared he will not seek a medical exemption for 2021-22?  The 5 in 5 rule with no exceptions hasn't passed yet, has it?

[Gerry Hamilton]

1 minute ago, bierce said:

Has Mark officially declared he will not seek a medical exemption for 2021-22?  The 5 in 5 rule with no exceptions hasn't passed yet, has it?

He's been expected to move on overseas or where his career takes him. But worth a double check after season

[goattalk100]

I think Terry is a really solid coach. I don’t think he has a top 8 roster in the SEC to begin with. Some of the transfers just haven’t been big enough impact guys. But he reminds me a little of Hubert Davis at North Carolina. Give them players (part of their own doing in recruiting) then they will do well. Texas under Terry always seems to peak heading towards the postseason. You can also see the guys like him and play really hard for him.

I could definitely see Terry sticking for another year if a really good option doesn’t materialize this offseason. If I’m Texas, do I look at Rick Pitino? Not sure what his contract situation is but throwing a bag at him wouldn’t be the worst idea, minus his age.

[Drunk randoke]

He’s a jag.  Sure he’s a nice guy. Cut and move on. 

[pinkman_90]

23 hours ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Portal opens March 24 and closes April 22. 

Texas will have 6-7 spots to fill from the portal, if not eight. 

Tre - NBA
Tramon Mark
Kadin Shedrick
Arthur Kaluma
Julian Larry
Jayson Kent
Ze'rik Onyema

All gone. 

Heard rumblings of a transfer out too. 

Dayum.  And just checked how our one HS recruit is doing.  Seems like he’s only played 7 games and averages 3pts and 3 rebs per game. 

[Gerry Hamilton]

41 minutes ago, pinkman_90 said:

Dayum.  And just checked how our one HS recruit is doing.  Seems like he’s only played 7 games and averages 3pts and 3 rebs per game. 

John Clark is going to be really good

He broke his pinky finger in preseason ... tried to play, but ended up having to have surgery and missed the season. 

[GQ03]

On 3/14/2025 at 7:48 AM, Gerry Hamilton said:

Portal opens March 24 and closes April 22. 

Texas will have 6-7 spots to fill from the portal, if not eight. 

Tre - NBA
Tramon Mark
Kadin Shedrick
Arthur Kaluma
Julian Larry
Jayson Kent
Ze'rik Onyema

All gone. 

Heard rumblings of a transfer out too. 

Yikes!! And that one transfer out too would probably be a guy like Pope based on how his season went compared to expectations and that he doesn't really have any state of Texas ties compared to everyone else.

I'm different than most on this board in that I give him a ton of credit for the Elite 8 run and feel the last two years was due to circumstances beyond his control. For instance, last year's team is MUCH better with AJ Johnson on the roster instead of Chris Johnson and Ron Holland instead of Ithiel Horton. I also feel this team looks much different if the money is spent to bring in JT Toppin. 

With that said, the trajectory of the program is not in a good place as there is not much coming back, no elite Tre Johnson-level guy coming in assuming they don't land an Ament or Peat, and with the administrations clear lack of confidence we all know there won't be any real money to attract guys from the portal to allow him to compete in this conference in a real way so we might as well move on. Also, can't get blown out 5+ times at home in a new stadium we're trying to keep filled up. 

[Gerry Hamilton]

35 minutes ago, GQ03 said:

Yikes!! And that one transfer out too would probably be a guy like Pope based on how his season went compared to expectations and that he doesn't really have any state of Texas ties compared to everyone else.

I'm different than most on this board in that I give him a ton of credit for the Elite 8 run and feel the last two years was due to circumstances beyond his control. For instance, last year's team is MUCH better with AJ Johnson on the roster instead of Chris Johnson and Ron Holland instead of Ithiel Horton. I also feel this team looks much different if the money is spent to bring in JT Toppin. 

With that said, the trajectory of the program is not in a good place as there is not much coming back, no elite Tre Johnson-level guy coming in assuming they don't land an Ament or Peat, and with the administrations clear lack of confidence we all know there won't be any real money to attract guys from the portal to allow him to compete in this conference in a real way so we might as well move on. Also, can't get blown out 5+ times at home in a new stadium we're trying to keep filled up. 

The last part is huge IMO

[thatdude2]

I want to see Terry make a run to the Final Four and then things will get interesting. We have seen NBA coaches fired during the season even when their squads have been in first place. Basketball is such an interesting sport.