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Texas Ranked Second-Best SEC Basketball Job
Veteran coaches polled by The Field of 68 cite Texas' financial resources as key factor
Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:31am
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According to a poll of veteran coaches conducted by The Field of 68, the University of Texas basketball job is ranked second-best in the SEC, behind only the University of Kentucky. Coaches cited Texas' significant financial resources, including NIL deals and revenue sharing, as a major factor in the high ranking, despite the program's lack of recent Final Four appearances.
Why it matters
Texas has long been viewed as a job with significant potential, but the program has struggled to translate that potential into consistent on-court success. This ranking from respected basketball analysts suggests that Texas' resources and ability to attract top coaching talent could help the Longhorns emerge as an SEC powerhouse in the coming years.
The details
The Field of 68's Jeff Goodman polled anonymous veteran coaches, both head coaches and assistants, to rank the SEC basketball jobs. Texas came in at #2, behind only Kentucky, with a score of 222. Coaches cited Texas' financial resources, including NIL deals and revenue sharing, as a major factor, even though the Longhorns have just one Final Four appearance this century. Recent Texas coaches like Chris Beard, Shaka Smart, and Rodney Terry have had mixed success, but new hire Sean Miller believes the Texas job could be his 'final opportunity' and 'final run' in coaching.
- The rankings were released on February 4, 2026.
The players
Jeff Goodman
An analyst for The Field of 68, part of the On3 media network, who conducted the anonymous poll of veteran coaches to rank the SEC basketball jobs.
Sean Miller
The new head basketball coach at the University of Texas, who left his previous job at Xavier University to take what he believes could be his 'final opportunity' and 'final run' in coaching.
Chris Beard
The former Texas basketball coach who had the program 'rolling' in his second season before being dismissed due to an arrest.
Shaka Smart
The former Texas basketball coach whose tenure was marked by volatility and a lack of NCAA Tournament success, despite initially showing the program could attract high-profile coaches.
Rodney Terry
The former interim Texas basketball coach who was kept on as the permanent head coach but was unable to replicate the magic of the 2023 season.
The takeaway
Texas' ranking as the second-best SEC basketball job highlights the program's significant financial resources and potential, even if it has struggled to translate that into consistent on-court success in recent years. The hiring of Sean Miller, who views the Texas job as his 'final opportunity', suggests the Longhorns are poised to make a push to become an SEC powerhouse in the coming years.
