Who Could Take Rodney Terry’s Place on the Texas Basketball Head Coach Hot Board?

As of the 2023-2024 college basketball season, Rodney Terry has assumed the mantle of head coach at the University of Texas, following Chris Beard’s dismissal amid personal and legal issues. Terry, who had been with the Longhorns as an assistant coach and had interim head coach duties, stepped in to guide the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance. However, the landscape of college basketball coaching is as fluid as ever, and if the Longhorns were to make a change at the helm, a highly competitive field of candidates would emerge.

Given the prestige of Texas basketball, a program that boasts a rich history, a state of the art arena, and a massive recruitment footprint, the job is one of the more coveted in all of college sports. If Texas were to move away from Rodney Terry, here are several candidates who could potentially take his place, each bringing their own unique strengths, leadership styles, and recruiting prowess.

1. Chris Beard (Current Head Coach, Ole Miss)

Chris Beard is a polarizing figure, but few can deny his ability as a basketball coach. After leading Texas Tech to the national championship game in 2019 and taking the Red Raiders to an elite level, Beard seemed to be the perfect fit for Texas. He arrived at Texas with high expectations but was dismissed in early 2023 due to a highly publicized legal issue, despite leading the Longhorns to impressive performances on the court.

Beard’s legal situation remains unresolved, but his coaching credentials and Texas ties make him a candidate to keep an eye on. If his legal troubles are resolved and he is cleared to return to the sidelines, Texas may look to bring him back due to his deep understanding of the program, his ability to recruit, and his system that emphasizes defense, toughness, and a high basketball IQ. However, his return would likely depend on the university’s willingness to address the potential PR challenges surrounding his past.

2. Shaka Smart (Head Coach, Marquette)

Shaka Smart is another former Texas coach who could return to the program. Having served as head coach of Texas from 2015 to 2021, Smart left the Longhorns after falling short of expectations in a high-pressure situation. However, his time at Texas, while marked by inconsistency, also showed flashes of brilliance. Smart’s “Havoc” defense, a full-court pressing system that disrupts opponents, has been effective wherever he’s coached.

After leaving Texas, Smart found tremendous success at Marquette, leading them to the Big East championship in 2023 and a top-tier national ranking. His style of coaching and success with Marquette could make him a compelling candidate for Texas, especially given the success he’s had rebuilding Marquette into a national contender. Texas might look at Smart’s new-found success and consider bringing him back into the fold, especially if the team values his aggressive, defensive-first philosophy and ability to recruit players who thrive in a system predicated on defense and fast-paced play.

3. Kelvin Sampson (Head Coach, Houston)

Kelvin Sampson has long been one of the most respected and successful coaches in college basketball. After serving as head coach at Oklahoma and Indiana, Sampson has turned the Houston Cougars into a perennial powerhouse, guiding them to Final Four appearances and establishing Houston as a dominant force in the American Athletic Conference. Known for his tough, defensive-minded teams and ability to recruit nationally, Sampson would be a natural candidate for a program like Texas, which has the resources and reputation to contend at the highest level.

Sampson’s track record of success at Houston, combined with his Texas ties—he coached at Oklahoma for several years—would make him an intriguing option for the Longhorns. Additionally, Sampson’s history of developing players, especially defensively, would align well with the culture Texas has fostered under Terry, especially if the program values experience and stability in leadership.

4. Rick Barnes (Head Coach, Tennessee)

While this is somewhat of a long shot, it would be a mistake not to mention Rick Barnes when considering potential replacements for Rodney Terry. Barnes, who coached Texas from 1998 to 2015, is one of the most successful and well-respected coaches in college basketball history. Barnes led Texas to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four berth in 2003, and he helped build the program into a national contender during his tenure. After leaving Texas, Barnes took over at Tennessee, where he has continued to build an elite program, consistently making deep runs in the NCAA Tournament.

While Barnes is currently entrenched at Tennessee, his familiarity with the Texas basketball culture, his track record of success in the Big 12, and his ability to recruit top-tier talent would make him an attractive candidate if Texas were to make a change. The question, however, is whether Barnes would be interested in leaving Tennessee, where he has found significant success, to return to Austin. Still, the allure of the Texas job and the potential for a reunion with the program where he built much of his coaching legacy could be enticing.

5. Mick Cronin (Head Coach, UCLA)

Mick Cronin has transformed UCLA basketball into a juggernaut after taking over a program in disarray. His hard-nosed, defensive-oriented coaching style has earned him national acclaim, and his success with the Bruins, including Final Four appearances and multiple Pac-12 championships, has put him among the top coaches in the country. Cronin’s emphasis on physical defense, attention to detail, and ability to get the most out of his players would be a strong fit for a program like Texas, which has the resources and ambitions to contend for national titles.

While Cronin is currently entrenched at UCLA, his success at one of the sport’s most prestigious programs would make him an attractive target for Texas. Cronin also has a reputation for successfully navigating the pressures of coaching in high-profile programs, which would be critical in Austin, where expectations are always sky-high. Texas could find his no-nonsense approach and proven ability to succeed in high-stakes environments to be exactly what the program needs.

6. Sean Miller (Head Coach, Xavier)

Sean Miller has quietly rebuilt his reputation as one of the top coaches in college basketball, following a somewhat turbulent end to his tenure at Arizona. After a scandal at Arizona forced him to step down, Miller took over at Xavier, where he has continued to demonstrate his abilities as a coach, leading the Musketeers to NCAA Tournament appearances and competing at a high level in the Big East.

Miller is known for his strong recruiting efforts, especially in terms of landing top-tier players on both ends of the floor. His expertise in both coaching defense and offense, as well as his ability to build competitive teams year-in and year-out, makes him a candidate to watch. Miller is familiar with the high-pressure environment of Power Five basketball, and Texas may see his leadership as a way to take the program to the next level, particularly if they prioritize the development of a strong, consistent winner.

7. Tony Bennett (Head Coach, Virginia)

Tony Bennett is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in college basketball today. His work at Virginia, where he has built one of the most dominant programs in the country, has been nothing short of extraordinary. Bennett’s focus on elite defense, unselfish basketball, and player development has led Virginia to a national title in 2019 and numerous ACC championships. His ability to recruit elite talent to Virginia, despite the school’s more modest recruiting profile, speaks to his prowess as both a coach and a program builder.

If Texas were to pursue a coach who could bring stability, discipline, and a winning culture, Bennett would be a top-tier candidate. His defensive acumen and ability to develop players could elevate Texas to new heights, especially in an era where defensive prowess is often the key to success in March Madness. However, Bennett’s commitment to Virginia and the fact that he is at one of the best jobs in college basketball would make this a difficult pursuit for Texas.

8. Kyle Neptune (Head Coach, Villanova)

Kyle Neptune may still be a relative newcomer to the head coaching ranks, but his background and pedigree at Villanova make him a potential candidate for Texas. After serving as an assistant coach under Jay Wright at Villanova, Neptune took over as head coach and immediately made an impact by leading Villanova to competitive seasons in the Big East. While he may not have the same track record as some of the other candidates, Neptune’s ties to one of the most successful programs in the country, combined with his pedigree in the coaching world, make him a potential candidate who could rise through the ranks.

Neptune’s familiarity with a winning program, combined with his ability to recruit and his potential for growth as a head coach, could make him a candidate to watch if Texas is looking for a young, hungry coach to guide the program into a new era.