Nick Bowman takes over as interim head coach as the Roadrunners navigate an unexpected leadership change early in the season.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has announced a leadership change in its men's basketball program, mutually agreeing to part ways with head coach Austin Claunch following his arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Corpus Christi last month.
The university announced the decision Friday, November 13, just three games into the 2026–27 basketball season. Assistant coach Nick Bowman, who has directed the team since Claunch's suspension, will remain interim head coach for the rest of the season.
UTSA Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos described the departure as a mutual decision reached after discussions about the program's direction.
The announcement brings an abrupt conclusion to Claunch's tenure, which began in 2024 and included two difficult seasons for the Roadrunners.
Arrest and Suspension
Claunch, 36, was arrested October 27 after an incident outside a convenience store in Corpus Christi.
According to police records reported by the San Antonio Express-News, officers responded after Claunch was reportedly seen stumbling inside the store and later found unconscious behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz with its engine running.
The police report indicated that Claunch exhibited signs of impairment, performed poorly on field sobriety tests and declined breath and blood testing. Authorities subsequently obtained authorization for a blood draw, although the results were not included in the available reporting.
Claunch was booked into the Nueces County jail on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and released on a $1,500 bond.
UTSA suspended him the following day while university officials reviewed the circumstances.
Following his suspension, Claunch publicly apologized for his conduct, describing it as a serious error in judgment and acknowledging the responsibility associated with serving as a college basketball coach.
The arrest and subsequent separation should not be interpreted as a criminal conviction. The available reports do not establish a final disposition of the DWI charge.
A Difficult Two-Year Tenure
Claunch arrived at UTSA in 2024 after serving as an assistant coach at Alabama, where he was part of a program that reached the NCAA Final Four.
He previously served five seasons as head coach at Nicholls State, helping the Colonels win two Southland Conference regular-season championships.
His success at Nicholls created expectations that he could help rebuild a UTSA basketball program struggling to establish consistency in the American Conference.
However, the Roadrunners continued experiencing difficulties.
UTSA finished 12–19 in Claunch's first season before enduring another disappointing campaign in 2025–26, when the team finished near the bottom of the conference standings.
The program's struggles, combined with the circumstances surrounding his arrest, leave UTSA facing another transition in its efforts to become competitive in conference play.
According to local reporting, the mutual separation agreement does not require either Claunch or UTSA to pay a financial buyout.
Bowman Takes Over
Bowman enters his third season with the Roadrunners, having served as an assistant coach during Claunch's first two years.
He previously worked at Nicholls State for five seasons, including three as associate head coach, and held coaching and recruiting positions at Clemson and LSU New Orleans.
His familiarity with the existing roster and coaching staff provides some continuity during an otherwise disruptive period.
The Roadrunners have opened the season with a 2–1 record under Bowman, including victories over VMI and Seattle University.
Their next scheduled game is Sunday, November 15, when UTSA hosts Texas State.
What's Next for UTSA?
The immediate priority is maintaining stability and competitiveness throughout the remaining season.
Bowman will have an opportunity to demonstrate his ability to lead the program while university officials evaluate its longer-term direction.
UTSA has not announced a permanent replacement or a timetable for selecting its next head coach.
For the Roadrunners, the leadership change arrives at a challenging moment but also presents an opportunity to reassess the basketball program's future.
The remainder of the season will provide an early indication of whether Bowman can establish the consistency that has eluded UTSA in recent years.
