Rodney Terry backs down from criticism of ‘Horns Down’ gesture

Mar 15, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Texas Longhorns interim head coach Rodney Terry speaks during the press conference before their opening round game of the NCAA tournament in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Texas coach Rodney Terry pretty quickly backed down after he was criticized for his reaction to UCF players using the “Horns Down” gesture following their upset win on Wednesday.

Terry was infuriated by UCF players using the gesture as they got into the handshake line following a 77-71 win, calling the behavior “classless.” While Terry was ultimately defending sticking up for his program, the comments seemed to backfire, as he was labeled “soft” in some corners for not just shrugging the situation off.

The criticism seemed to land for Terry, who apologized for his reaction after Saturday’s win over Baylor.

In his press conference after the game, Rodney Terry apologized to UCF's program and head coach Johnny Dawkins. RT also apologized to the #Texas fanbase.

"If I offended some of our fans as well in not handling myself the right way…then I apologize to our fanbase as well"… pic.twitter.com/3w3VScWN3U

— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) January 20, 2024

“I had no intentions of trying to show up anyone or offend anyone in terms of what occurred at the end of that game,” Terry said. “[UCF head coach] Johnny Dawkins is a good friend of mine. He’s a really good coach. He has a good program. They’re having a good year. Personally, if I offended him or his program, or anyone, for that matter, that was not my intention.

“You control what you can control. If I offended some of our fans as well in not handling myself the right way, then I apologize to our fanbase as well.”

The “Horns Down” gesture is a popular go-to against Texas, though the Big 12 has previously tried to crack down on it. Part of the reason it is so popular is because it seems to bother Texas so much, which is why Terry’s reaction will only encourage this sort of thing going forward as long as it is not breaking any rules.