Another March Madness collapse: Texas in for a hard immediate shake up

The Texas Longhorns’ basketball season came to an abrupt and heartbreaking conclusion Wednesday night, as they squandered a second-half double-digit lead to fall 86-80 to Xavier in the NCAA Tournament’s First Four. The loss punctuates a season of struggles for the Longhorns, marking their second consecutive early exit from March Madness.

The focus now shifts to head coach Rodney Terry and the future of the program, which has failed to meet heightened expectations. Rodney Terry took the helm midway through the 2022-23 season following the departure of Chris Beard and initially revitalized the Longhorns, leading them to an Elite Eight appearance that year.

However, the program has since stagnated. Last season, Texas earned a No. 7 seed but failed to advance past the second round. This year, in their inaugural SEC campaign, they barely secured a tournament berth and finished near the bottom of the conference standings with a 6-12 record in SEC play.

The pressure is on for the program

High hopes surrounded the team heading into 2024-25, fueled by the arrival of standout freshman and projected lottery pick Tre Johnson. However, the Longhorns failed to capitalize on his talent, leaving fans and analysts disappointed once again.

The loss to Xavier and another early tournament exit have amplified speculation about Terry’s job security. According to Jeff Goodman of Field of 68, Texas is expected to part ways with Terry, making the Longhorns one of the most sought-after coaching opportunities in college basketball. With high-profile jobs such as Indiana and NC State already filled, the Texas vacancy could become a prime destination for top coaching candidates.

Athletic director Chris Del Conte is under pressure to make a decisive move that will restore the Longhorns to prominence. For now, the basketball program faces a pivotal crossroads, with a fresh start likely on the horizon after two seasons of unmet expectations.