After nine years as a Texas Longhorn assistant, Rodney Terry is introduced as head coach
A new era of Fresno State men’s basketball has begun with the school finally picking the coach to lead them into the Mountain West Conference.
The university decided on Texas assistant Rodney Terry to be the next Fresno State head men’s basketball coach.
The process to find the next Fresno State men’s basketball coach lasted a couple of weeks with the university putting together a five-person panel to help decide from 80 different candidates.
Terry described what he thought set him apart from the other candidates.
“It was an unbelievable group of guys to begin with,” said Terry via a press conference. “I’m sure every guy brought something different to the table in terms of where they’ve been and their experiences that they have. I think having had a chance to work at the highest level and having had a chance to work at a bunch of different levels and have success and the people I’ve worked with.
Terry’s hiring comes a couple of months after Steve Cleveland was reassigned after his six seasons as the head of the basketball program.
Cleveland did change the atmosphere at the program after Ray Lopes left the in 2005.
After Lopes’ departure, the program’s APR score was one of the lowest in the country but with Cleveland as the head basketball coach the teams test scores rose up to normal levels.
The former ‘Dogs basketball coach did help with the team’s academics but didn’t bring the wins to a program with a 92-98 record during his tenure.
Now with Terry as the face of the men’s basketball program all eyes will be on him.
Especially, with Terry’s experience at the University of Texas. He has been an assistant under Rick Barnes for nine seasons.
Even though, Terry was just chosen as the head coach, he has some experience with Fresno.
“I’ve had a chance to recruit on the west coast from some time now and we’ve developed some really got ties out here,” Terry said. “I’ve had a chance to come into the city as well and recruit prospects in this city.”
With Terry’s experience with the Fresno area this could be beneficial for the program because of his recruiting ties.
The former Texas assistant is known for his recruiting prowess after bringing in some top high school prospects to the university that includes, two-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant, Charlotte Bobcats starting point guard D.J. Augustin. Also, he brought in current players Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph.
After recruiting these players it is true what Terry values the most.
“The first priority is our players,” Terry said. “Our players are always going to come first in our program. I had a chance to meet with those guys shortly before we were able to come in here and meet with you guys. And I had a great meeting with them.
After addressing one of his priorities, now the new Fresno State men’s basketball coach has figure out what is his next step.
“I’ve got some guys in mind already that I think we’ll be able to come in and help take us to another level in terms of our staff,” Terry said. “I got a busy day planned tomorrow in terms of meeting everyone on campus from academic all the way on through. Recruiting, obviously, we’re starting a period today in terms of a contact period. We’re going to get together in the next couple of days and really start formulating that plan. But we got some work to do.”