Dick Vitale makes passionate call for Texas to hire Rodney Terry as next head coach

College hoops icon Dick Vitale gave a ringing endorsement for interim Texas coach Rodney Terry during the Big 12 Championship Game. Terry took over the Longhorns basketball program after the school fired Chris Beard earlier in the season for alleged family violence.

Since taking over the program, Texas has remained one of the top teams in the nation and was well on their way to winning the Big 12 Tournament when Vitale made his pitch for Terry to be the guy full time.

Dick Vitale endorses Rodney Terry

“Coach Terry, I’m telling the people of Texas… if they don’t hire that guy full time they are out of their mind. He has done an amazing job with this team. Amazing job,” said Vitale as Texas carried a double digit lead into the final stretch of the title game.

Although it’s hard to separate Vitale’s pitch from the emotions of the moment — as Texas was pulling away from Kansas with huge momentum — it’s clear that Vitale believes the resume Terry built this year should be enough proof he can handle the job.

Terry helped coach the Longhorns to a 18-7 record over his stretch as interim coach, but a Big 12 title is a nearly indisputable feather in his cap after Saturday’s performance. The Longhorns are also expected to make a deep run in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, as one of the expected top seeds coming into March Madness.

Vitale then added to his endorsement by saying rumors about Terry needing to reach the Final Four are ridiculous in his opinion.

“Somebody’s gotta notify the administration the job he’s done, because I keep hearing all these rumors he’s gotta go here, go to the Final Four… it’s just ridiculous,” added Vitale.