AUSTIN, Texas - University of Richmond assistant coach and former St. Edward's University standout Rodney Terry has been named assistant basketball coach at The University of Texas, head coach Rick Barnes announced Tuesday. The 34-year-old Terry, who spent five years as a high school coach in Texas before moving on to the collegiate ranks, joined coach Jerry Wainwright's staff at Richmond on April 24 after spending the past four seasons under Wainwright at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. Terry will begin his post at Texas immediately. In addition, Barnes also announced the promotion of assistant coach Russell Springmann on the staff.

"Watching Rodney work from afar and getting to know him on a personal level recently, I have come away very impressed," said Barnes, who has guided Texas to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and an average of 22.5 wins per year in his first four seasons in Austin. "There is no doubt that Rodney's hire is another step in the right direction as we continue to build a program that's goal is to challenge for the national title every year."

"With Rodney's addition to Frank Haith and Russell Springmann, I truly believe that we have one of the best staffs in the country," Barnes continued. "I'm fortunate to have three assistants who have all the skills and abilities to help make our players and our program the best it can be."

While at UNC-Wilmington, Terry was instrumental in helping the Seahawks to three postseason tournament appearances in his four seasons. UNCW advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2000 and 2002 and reached the NIT in 2001. Last year, the Seahawks posted a 23-10 overall record, setting a school record for victories in a season. UNCW also collected its first NCAA Tournament win in school history, upsetting USC 93-89 in overtime at a South Region first round game.

The Seahawks registered an overall record of 71-51 (.582) during Terry's four seasons in Wilmington. During his second year at UNCW, Terry helped the Seahawks land a top 30 recruiting class according to Hoop Scoop. This past season, Terry tied for the top mid/low-major Assistant Coach of the Year, according to TheInsidersHoops.com. He shared the honor with Valparaiso's Scott Drew, who recently became the head coach at Valpo.

Prior to joining the staff at UNCW, Terry served two years as an assistant coach at Baylor (1996-98). He spent one season (1995-96) as the varsity coach at Angleton (Texas) High School, and two years as the head coach at Somerville (Texas) High School Terry posted a 15-13 mark at Angleton and a 49-21 overall record at Somerville, where he led the school to the Class 2A state semifinals in 1994. He also worked two years (1991-93) as an assistant coach at Bowie High School in Austin, Texas.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to be a part of The University of Texas basketball program," Terry said. "The timing could not be better, as the Texas program is already at a very high level. I have always been a big fan of the school and the city of Austin. I am hopeful of putting a lot of my ties and connections with the high school coaches throughout the state of Texas to good use as we try to continue our recent trend of having the best players within this state come to school at The University of Texas." Terry started his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. He worked for one season (1990-91) at St. Edward's before moving on to his post at Bowie High School.

Terry graduated from St. Edward's University in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He also minored in physical education. During his collegiate career, he was a three-year starter at point guard and a three-time Academic All-Big State Conference selection. The Hilltoppers won the Big State Conference title during his freshman season in 1986-87. He also served as team captain during his senior campaign in 1989-90.

"Even though Rodney's departure from our program is a personal loss to me, I could not be happier for Rodney, his family, Coach Barnes and the entire University of Texas basketball program," said Richmond head coach Jerry Wainwright. "Coach Barnes and I have a long-standing friendship, and I believe he just hit a home run in adding Rodney to his staff. Growing up in Texas, it was always a dream of Rodney's to coach at UT."

Born March 27, 1968, Terry is a native of Angleton, Texas.

The Rodney Terry File
Full name Rodney Eric Terry
Date of birth March 27, 1968
Hometown Angleton, Texas
College St. Edward's '90

Previous Coaching Experience
Spring 2002 Assistant Coach Richmond
1998-2002 Assistant Coach North Carolina-Wilmington
1996-98 Assistant Coach Baylor
1995-96 Head Coach Angleton (Texas) High School
1993-95 Head Coach Somerville (Texas) High School
1991-93 Assistant Coach Austin Bowie (Texas) High School
1990-91 Assistant Coach St. Edward's University