Rodney Terry assesses the value of building lasting relationships with players

Rodney Terry steered Texas in the right direction last season and was rewarded by being named the leader of the Longhorns men’s basketball program.

The former Texas interim coach was immensely popular with his players over the 2022-2023 season, and it’s easy to see why when you hear how he plans to keep a lifelong relationship with all the athletes that play under his guidance.

“I said this to our guys, I said this to our team a couple of nights ago, we’re not just going to coach these guys for the two years and the four years that we have these guys, we’re going to have lifelong relationships,” explained Terry, via his press conference. “You sign up with Coach Terry, you’re going to sign up for a life relationship. Be there when the guys become fathers, they have their weddings, I’m going to be there the whole time.

“It’s a testament to continue to have relationships with guys. … Over the years, staying in contact with guys and really investing in their lives. … It’s about lifelong relationships, and that’s what you sign up for when you sign up with the University of Texas, with Coach Terry.”

No wonder why Texas was so comfortable with Rodney Terry. The future is bright for the Longhorns with him leading the charge moving forward, both for the players, and the fanbase.

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This is far from the first time Rodney Terry has been entrusted with a head coaching gig.

The freshly-minted Longhorns leader spent time at the helm of Fresno State and UTEP for a combined 10 seasons. His overall head coaching record is 185-164 in 11 years.

Continuing, Terry has 28 years total of college basketball coaching experience, including nine years as an assistant under Rick Barnes in Austin, from 2002-2011. Last season, he was in his second season of being the associate head coach under Chris Beard before being promoted to the interim head coaching position for the Longhorns.

Of course, he showed he can get the job done, winning National Coach of the Year honors from the Sporting News after he guided the ‘Horns to their first Elite Eight appearance since 2008. Still, Terry elaborated on what’s different this time around for him.

“This time, my demeanor is going to be totally different,” explained Terry. “I was gonna be more poised. More calm. And handle our guys a lot differently in terms of being a leader. And I thank God for giving me the opportunity and giving me the chance to make that change.

“So, that’s been the biggest change in myself in terms of working with teams, this team in particular.”