UTSA men’s basketball has officially parted ways with head coach Austin Claunch following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract. The decision, announced by Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos on Friday, November 13, comes just three games into the 2026-27 season. The program will now be led by Nick Bowman, who has served as acting head coach since the season opener and will assume the interim head coach role for the remainder of the academic year.
Austin Claunch exits midway through season as Nick Bowman takes over interim duties
The separation follows Claunch’s suspension after a DWI arrest in Corpus Christi on October 27. According to an incident report obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, Claunch was observed stumbling outside a Stripes convenience store before being discovered passed out in a Mercedes-Benz with the engine running. Law enforcement noted that Claunch refused a breathalyzer test and failed field sobriety tests, prompting the immediate suspension that ultimately led to his departure from the program.
Campos emphasized the collaborative nature of the decision in a news release, stating, “After thoughtful discussions about the future of the program, we mutually agreed that this was the right time for a transition.” While thanking Claunch for his two-year tenure, the administration expressed confidence in Bowman’s leadership to stabilize the team. This abrupt change underscores the zero-tolerance policies regarding off-court conduct in major college athletics, forcing UTSA to pivot its coaching strategy mid-season to maintain competitive viability.
Source: Yahoo Sports
