Terrence Rencher was named the latest addition among New Mexico’s men’s basketball coaches after garnering an assistant coach position on Neal’s staff.
“I know what this program stands for and I know the passion behind it,” Rencher said. “I know the expectations that come with it and I’m up for that challenge.”
Rencher and Neal have linked up again after the two spent time in the Toronto Raptors organization. Rencher parted ways from a similar position at Texas State to join the University of New Mexico.
“He will be a great addition to our staff,” Neal said in a statement. “I believe he will be a very good coach for years to come and will develop into head-coach material later in his career.”
Rencher said his new role at UNM will be to help in the recruiting process. The Bronx native said he also is looking to rely on his experiences in relating to the student-athletes in order to help them achieve their goals.
“I’ve pretty much seen everything in the game of basketball, from the good to the bad to the ugly,” Rencher said. “Basketball has literally taken me all over the world, and I just really want to expose those guys to those experiences, the best way I can.”
The assistant coach said he had never been to WisePies Arena, aka The Pit, before the Lobo All-Star game, and said the event provided him with just a small taste of the atmosphere New Mexico fans bring. He said the ambiance of The Pit is one of the main things he is looking forward to when the season gets going.
“I’ve seen many games on TV, talked to many people that have had the experience of coming here and playing here,” Rencher said. “I’m just looking forward to that atmosphere.”
The Lobos’ newest coach said he has not yet had much of an opportunity to see the current UNM team, but said he can already tell that the Lobos will have a lot of depth in the 2015-16 season. He added that he is confident the Lobos will be back fighting for a top seed in the Mountain West without much of a waiting period.
Rencher is leaving a state where he, a former University of Texas guard, enjoyed an illustrious collegiate career. Rencher currently resides atop the Longhorns in points scored (2,306) and is the all-time steals leader (255). He also ranks sixth in assists with 440.
Rencher was drafted 32nd overall in the 1995 NBA draft, which led him to play for both the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat. He continued to play professionally in Europe for nine more seasons following his one-year stint in the NBA.
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The newly appointed assistant coach began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in Saint Louis during the 2008-2009 season before his first stint at Texas State during the 2009-2011 seasons. Rencher then took a position at Tulane in Louisiana before returning to assistant coach in San Marcos, Texas for Texas State.
Rencher said joining Neal’s staff was a bit of a no-brainer, and he expects to make a significant impact with player development as a coach for New Mexico.
“It was a pretty easy and a pretty simple decision, and it just felt right,” he said.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at assistantsports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
