New Mexico State head basketball coach Reggie Theus is on the verge of leaving to become head coach of the Sacramento Kings, ESPN's Andy Katz is reporting. Theus took over a team that had gone 6-24 before he arrived two years ago and immediately turned it into a winner. He led New Mexico State to the NCAA tournament last season, its first appearance in the Big Dance since 1999. Before getting the New Mexico State job, he was an assistant to Rick Pitino at Louisville.
Katz is reporting that New Mexico State has offered Theus a raise from his current salary of $355,000 to $466,000, but that kind of bump is nothing compared to what the Kings will pay.
Theus has done good work at New Mexico State, but he has made no secret that he'd like to coach in the NBA, and few if any observers thought he'd stay at New Mexico State for the long haul. Still, it's a disappointment to Aggie fans, and late June isn't the best time to go coach shopping.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-19-2007 @ 10:51PM
Alex said...
This is pretty crushing to me right now. I go to NMSU, and there was a buzz on campus that was never present before Reggie showed up. Oh well, c'iest la vie.
Most Aggie fans thought he'd stick it out this year. We have Herb Pope coming in, who is rated in the top 10 for his position. Thats up the in the air now.
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6-19-2007 @ 11:16PM
Eldon Nieto said...
As a loyal AGGIE fan I'd like to wish REGGIE good luck in the NBA. Be honest out there, did you really expect Reggie to stay in Aggieland for the long haul? Especially with the success he has accomplished in just two years. Thanks for a wonderful ride, you deserve it REGGIE!!!
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6-19-2007 @ 11:36PM
Berta said...
He used you and abused you... Got you folks down at State thinking he'd be your saving grace. I was happy to see State's program get better last year even though I'm a Lobo fan. He was never going to stay and hopefully hasn't messed up the program even more by bailing before Pope got on campus. Shame on Theus. I'm sure he sat in front of that kid and his parents/guardians and lied through his teeth to get him to commit.
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6-20-2007 @ 2:22AM
Cubbiessosa said...
This is a bad hire. They should have hired Rambus or Michael Cooper. It's amazing how Cooper can never get a job. This guy has won at EVERY level except the NBA. What has Theus done? HC at New Mexico, AC at Louisville. Ok, he played for the Kings but still. I understand why they don't want Larry "The Mercenary" Brown but Theus is baffling.
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6-20-2007 @ 3:12AM
Alex said...
Used and abused? No, that would only be the case if he had hid his true intentions. He did not. It's just the nature of the game.
Plus get your facts straight LOOB, before you run your mouth. Asst. Coach Pompey was more instrumental in the Pope signing than Theus. FYI, Pope is in Las Cruces and signed up for summer classes. First you guys can't spell your own teams name, and now this. I fail to understand how you guys can be considered the flagship school in this state.
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6-20-2007 @ 4:01AM
Stacey Franchise said...
"Sacramento is NOT California."
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