UTSA AD Lisa Campos Stands By Coach Austin Claunch Amid Historic Slump

The Roadrunners have lost 14 straight games, the longest skid in program history, but the AD remains patient with the second-year head coach.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 1:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

UTSA athletic director Lisa Campos is standing by head coach Austin Claunch despite the Roadrunners' historic 14-game losing streak, the second-longest active skid in the nation. Claunch is in his second season at the helm after taking over a limited roster, and Campos says she sees a promising young core that hasn't given up despite the tough results. The Roadrunners have dealt with significant injuries and a tough American Conference schedule, but Campos remains confident in Claunch's long-term vision for the program.

Why it matters

UTSA's struggles highlight the challenges of rebuilding a college basketball program, especially in a competitive conference like the American. Campos' patience with Claunch shows her commitment to stability and long-term development, even as the team endures one of the worst seasons in program history. The story also touches on broader issues facing mid-major programs, from roster turnover to fundraising and facility upgrades.

The details

In his second season as UTSA's head coach, Austin Claunch has led the Roadrunners to a program-record 14-game losing streak, dropping the team to No. 348 out of 365 teams in KenPom's adjusted efficiency rankings. Injuries to key players like Vasean Allette, Macaleab Rich, Stanley Borden, and Pierce Spencer have hampered the team's ability to compete in the tough American Conference. Despite the poor results, athletic director Lisa Campos remains patient with Claunch, who signed a five-year contract in 2024 and is focused on building a foundation with a promising group of freshmen.

  • Claunch took over as UTSA's head coach in early April 2024.
  • The Roadrunners went 12-19 in Claunch's first season in 2024-25.
  • UTSA has lost 14 straight games to start the 2025-26 campaign, the longest skid in program history.

The players

Lisa Campos

The athletic director at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), who is standing by head coach Austin Claunch despite the team's historic losing streak.

Austin Claunch

The second-year head coach of the UTSA Roadrunners, who previously served as the head coach at Nicholls and an assistant at Alabama.

Vasean Allette

A transfer from TCU who was UTSA's only preseason all-conference selection but will miss the rest of the season due to personal reasons.

Macaleab Rich

A wing player who scored 25 points in his lone start this season but will miss the rest of the year due to a groin tear.

Dorian Hayes

A freshman starter for UTSA who says he plans to return next year and is "big on loyalty" to the program.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As much as we want this to turn around overnight, we know that it is going to take time, and we're seeing really positive things. The most important thing is that his team hasn't given up, and they're still in it.”

— Lisa Campos, UTSA Athletic Director (expressnews.com)

“I've been hit before, but probably not quite like this, from an injury standpoint.”

— Austin Claunch, UTSA Head Coach (expressnews.com)

“I never had the thought to transfer out of here or anything. I love UTSA, I love the city, so this is where I want to call home.”

— Dorian Hayes, UTSA Freshman (expressnews.com)

What’s next

Claunch said he plans to have 'deeper conversations' with his young core players about their future at UTSA in about a month, as he looks to retain the promising freshmen amid the transfer portal era.

The takeaway

UTSA's patient approach with coach Austin Claunch during this historic losing streak underscores the challenges of rebuilding a mid-major basketball program, from roster turnover and injuries to fundraising and facility upgrades. But the Roadrunners' commitment to their young core suggests they believe Claunch can eventually turn the program around, even if the short-term results have been disastrous.