During a virtual media availability with reporters, head coach Vic Schaefer reacted to President Jay Hartzell’s decision to leave UT Austin.
AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell’s move to leave the university appears to have shocked many on and off campus.
While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Texas women’s basketball head coach Vic Schaefer appeared stunned by the news that Hartzell would be leaving the Forty Acres for Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
“God almighty,” Schaefer said after being asked his thoughts on the move. “I’ve worked for some really good presidents, he’s the best, man. I love that guy.”
Schaefer appeared unaware of Hartzell’s decision when he was asked, but shared his genuine reaction with reporters and praised Hartzell’s leadership.
“I’m certainly happy for him because I think he’s a great man. They hit a home run at SMU,” Schaefer said. “I’m sure we’ll get somebody good, but what a home run for SMU. Dang it.”
The Austin native took over the UT women’s program in 2020 after spending eight years as the head coach at Mississippi State. Schaefer pointed to how accessible Hartzell’s been during his tenure at Texas as one of the many reasons he loved working with him, along with his desire to help each program.
“Anytime I needed him to help me with a recruit and their family, he’s right there. He’s all in. He sits at my games at half-court. He has a presence,” Schaefer said. “He’s not one of those ivory tower guys … We’ve had a great relationship and I hate to see him go.”
Hartzell will take over at SMU in June after being unanimously voted in, replacing longtime SMU President R. Gerald Turner.
Since 2001, Hartzell has worked at UT Austin in various capacities before becoming president in 2020. He faced numerous calls to step down in 2024 following the university’s strong response to pro-Palestine protests on campus.