“I would wear his Rolex every game” - Texas MBB head coach Rodney Terry shares moving way to stay close to his late father

Rodney Terry has become the final Texas Longhorns coach to lead the team in the Big 12. Texas officially switched conferences Monday and will compete in the Southeastern Conference from the 2024-25 season. The school organized a huge party on Sunday to celebrate its move to the SEC, marking the dawn of a new era for the historic program.

Coach Terry was fully occupied throughout the event, enjoying his time interacting with fans, posing for photos and signing autographs. He also sat down for an interview with SEC Network, where he talked about his relationship with his father.

"My dad was a coach for a long time and he and I both were big watch guys. We share that same passion for having a good timepiece," Terry said. "I was able to pass on a Rolex to him. I vowed that I would wear his Rolex every game that I ever coached the rest of my career, so I can always be close to him."

Terry also said he would not be the person he is today without his father, Calvin Philips, who set him on the coaching journey. He said his dad, who had over 45 years of coaching experience, was a true inspiration behind his career.

Terry, a Texas native, took on the role of interim manager for the Longhorns in 2022. Under his leadership, the team secured its second Big 12 Tournament title and reached the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.

Rodney Terry aims high in Texas' inaugural season in SEC

For the 2024-25 college season, Rodney Terry's men will compete as a member of the SEC. This will also be Terry's second year in charge of the program.

The Longhorns ended last season with a record of 21-13 overall, going 9-9 in Big 12. Besides, their journey in the NCAA Tournament ended early with a loss to Tennessee in the second round.

Speaking about the style of play in the SEC on Sunday, Rodney Terry said:

"The Big 12 has always been a physical league. Going into the SEC and playing Tennessee the last two years, Rick Barnes’ teams are always going to be physical, but there are going to be several programs that are going to be physical and have that same mindset."

Rodney Terry and Texas welcomed six incoming transfers in the offseason and three freshmen from the 2024 recruiting class: Tre Johnson, Cam Scott and Nicolas Codie.

It will be a significant change for the Longhorns, moving from the 12 teams in the Big 12 to competing in the SEC, which now comprises 16 schools, including Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Auburn and their crosstown rival Texas A&M.

With the Longhorns now in the SEC, the two Texas schools will revive their rivalry that has been dormant for years.