T.J. Ford sees success in Texas' future under 'an excellent man' in Rodney Terry

T.J. Ford had one season at Texas under his belt when Rodney Terry joined Rick Barnes‘ staff after the 2002 season. Texas had just made a run to the Sweet 16, and Ford was preparing for another year with the Longhorns, one that would propel UT into the Final Four and Ford to multiple national player of the year honors.

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The Terry that Ford met then as the Big 12 freshman of the year is the same Terry who was introduced on Tuesday as the 26th head coach of Texas Longhorns men’s basketball.

“He’s the same guy,” Ford said. “He has the same energy. We spent a lot of time in his office just getting to know him, and every step of the way we have always been in contact and always been a part of all his programs where he was at, whether it was Fresno State or UTEP. We have a unique bond and a great bond from that experience of getting to that Final Four.”

That two-decade relationship continued and grew stronger, even expanding outside the bounds of the 94-by-50 foot court. Ford, who was the first Longhorn basketball player to have his jersey number retired, said he and Terry have spoken weekly over the past 20-plus years.

“He’s an excellent man, excellent at giving advice and wisdom,” Ford said. “We talk basketball all the time, but we also talk about life all the time. He’s been an important person in my life. That has nothing to do with just basketball. In my own experiences and things that I deal with, he’s been a good voice for listening and reasoning, and letting me know when there are things I could do different.”

Terry leading the Longhorns to the Elite Eight, a Big 12 Tournament title, and a second-place finish in the Big 12 following Chris Beard’s arrest on December 12, 2022 impressed Ford, just like it impressed most of the country who followed Texas’ 2022-23 journey.

“For him to be here and to do the job that he’s done, it’s never been done,” Ford said. “That situation has never happened in college sports, in the middle of the season when things are going well. It was great basketball to watch.”

Terry didn’t recruit Ford to Texas, but Ford has seen how Terry operates on the trail. For the Longhorn legend, it’s the same way Terry operates as a man.

“I think he’s always been a man of his word,” Ford said. “I think he’s always shot players straight. As you can see by him having AJ (Johnson) and Ron (Holland) being able to stay committed and not waver one way or not even say anything publicly about the scenario, that just shows his leadership right then and there. Not only to those kids, but the families that he sits in front of in their living rooms and telling them how he’s going to help their kids be successful in life.”

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Terry was present during the heyday of Longhorns basketball, assisting Barnes during a nine-year run that featured a Final Four and four Sweet 16 appearances, plus 13 players selected in the NBA Draft. Ford expects former players to come back to Austin and be an integral part of the program with Terry now occupying the head coach’s seat.

“I think what you guys are going to notice, is you’re going to notice a whole bunch of NBA guys back in the summer,” Ford said. “You’re going to see guys working out with these players. You’re going to see guys spending time here. You’re going to see us as well being a part of the vision they have. Not only with Rodney Terry, but even (Chris Del Conte), to get involved in the community. Having one of our own here makes things really easy.”

To that point, Ford wasn’t the only notable former player in attendance. LaMarcus Aldridge was on the Forty Acres to offer his support for Terry.

The next step of Terry’s vision for the program, getting Texas to the national championship game, is a difficult task. But for Ford, who led the Longhorns to their only Final Four appearance since the tournament expanded to 64 teams, sees the necessary aspects a program must have to reach the sport’s biggest stage.

“The culture is here, I think that’s the ultimate thing,” Ford said. “I think we’re back with the excitement and understanding. You’ve got to remember, we’re competing with our football team of having that excitement. Having that excitement every year for our basketball program? It makes all players want to play hard and want to come here. That’s what it’s about.”