Rodney Terry expected to be named head coach at Texas

Time to put those John Calipari to Texas rumors to bed once and for all. The Longhorns have their guy.

Interim coach Rodney Terry, who led UT to a Big 12 Tournament championship and a run to the Elite Eight, is expected to have his interim tag lifted and take over as the permanent head coach. Chip Brown of Horns247 reported Sunday that an announcement of Terry’s official hire could come as early as Tuesday.

“Rodney Terry stepped up and did an amazing, classy job leading this program and absolutely deserves this opportunity,” a high-level university source told Horns247.

Texas’ season came to an end on Sunday following an 88-81 loss to the Miami Hurricanes in Kansas City. The Longhorns finished the year with a 29-9 record, the third-most victories in program history. Terry took over as acting head coach on Dec. 12 following Chris Beard’s suspension and ultimate firing with cause.

247Sports insider Travis Branham reported back on Jan. 9 that Texas reached out to John Calipari through back channels, adding that the Kentucky head coach would likely jump at the opportunity to leave Lexington if the Longhorns made a competitive offer.

Terry’s emergence as the team leader, though, has reportedly forced Texas’ hand. Previously a head coach for 10 years — seven at Fresno State (2012-18) and three at UTEP (2019-21) — the 55-year-old is expected to take over his own program for good, this time at a premium stop in Austin.

That also means Calipari is very likely back in 2023-24 — for this season, at minimum.