UTSA fires mens basketball coach Austin Claunch after DWI arrest

UTSA fired basketball coach Austin Claunch, who was suspended by the university in October following an arrest in Corpus Christi, Texas on suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI), the school announced Friday.According to a Corpus Christi police report cited by KSAT12, officers responded to a 911 call on Tuesday just before 2 a.m.about a man stumbling inside a gas station last month.Police reportedly said they found Claunch passed out in the driver’s seat of his parked Mercedes. The Roadrunners coach was then booked into the Nueces County Jail and released on bond.UTSA assistant coach Nick Bowman, who was filling in as head coach during Claunch’s suspension, will be the interim coach for the remainder of the 2026-27 season.“After thoughtful discussions about the future of the program, we mutually agreed that this was the right time for a transition,” UTSA athletic director Lisa Campos said.“We thank Coach Claunch for his efforts over the last two years and wish him nothing but the best in the future.

We look forward to this season with Nick Bowman at the helm.”Claunch, who served under Nate Oats’ staff at Alabama as an assistant coach, got hired by UTSA in 2024 and posted a 17-44 record with the Roadrunners over two seasons.UTSA went 5-25 overall (1-17 in the American) during the 2025-26 season.He began his head-coaching career at Nicholls (2018-23) before joining Alabama in 2023.After the arrest, Claunch spoke about the Corpus Christi incident as an error in judgment.“I made a grave error in judgment, and I deeply regret my actions and the disappointment I have caused,” Claunch said in a statement.“I sincerely apologize to the young men I have the privilege of coaching, my fellow coaches and colleagues, president [Taylor] Eighmy, Dr.Lisa Campos and the entire Roadrunner community.”To start the season, UTSA won two of its first three games, including an 86-59 win over Seattle on Wednesday....