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In the Face of Tumult, Rodney Terry Has Been Exactly What Texas Needs

Related Topics: Texas, Texas Longhorns

Chris Beard’s arrest and subsequent firing rocked the Longhorns, but their interim coach has steadied a season that remains with high hopes.

The Texas men’s basketball team is gathered at Ruth’s Chris Steak House here in Knoxville, in a private room distinguished by the two-word sign outside: “Hook ’em.” Tomorrow the Longhorns will play Tennessee in a top-10 showdown. Tonight, following a practice at Thompson-Boling Arena, the team has circled up with arms over shoulders for a pre-dinner prayer before digging into filets and New York strips.

Between bites, happy chatter fills the room. Everyone has deposited their cellphones in a bucket emblazoned with the word “culture,” eliminating electronic distraction in order to maximize team communication.