Las Cruces, N.M. ? New Mexico State head men’s basketball coach Reggie Theus has agreed in principle to accept the Sacramento Kings head coaching position. The deal is reported to be a three-year contract worth an estimated $6 million.
The Kings have scheduled a press conference for Wednesday, June 20, to introduce Theus.
“We are aware that Sacramento has offered the head coaching job to coach Theus and while I’m not sure whether or not there is an agreement. I’m happy for coach and extremely pleased with the shape our program is in,” NMSU Athletics Director Dr. McKinley Boston said. “We will work towards an appropriate transition that will protect the welfare of our student-athletes as well as our incoming recruits. We’re happy and disappointed, but at the same time we recognize what a wonderful opportunity this is for Reggie and that in time he will do a wonderful job.”
“People that know me, know that I am not someone who gets speechless, but right now I am,” Theus said. “When I got involved in the interview process I really didn’t give it much thought. It was just a chance to experience an NBA interview and I never thought about this really happening.”
“I have never been so happy and so sad at the same time,” Theus said. “The program here at NMSU is like my baby and it means so much to me. Dr. Boston, Dr. Martin, I and the Board of Regents, we all helped bring this program back to where it is and I take that very personally. The support I have received while at NMSU has been second to none. The one thing that I am sure of is the program is very solid and it is without a doubt one of the best mid-major jobs in the country.”
A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.