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Commentary: Theus left Aggies, NMSU in better shape

By Michael Garcia
Wednesday, June 20, 2007

The Aggies knew this day was coming.

They just thought it was a year away.

Or two.

It was inevitable that someday, some way, some BCS school or NBA team with deeper pockets was going to lure Reggie Theus from Las Cruces.

No way was "Hollywood" - as his players referred to him because of his snappy designer suits and onetime gig as an actor portraying a coach - going to stay put for long.

Theus, the 13-year NBA veteran, rebuilt New Mexico State University basketball into a respected midmajor program in two seasons.

Forty-one victories, one conference tournament title and one NCAA Tournament appearance later, he's gone.

The Sacramento Kings, owned by Albuquerque's Maloof family, crowned Theus as their own late Tuesday, tossing a reported three-year, $6 million contract at the former Kansas City Kings star.

The Aggies, who recently increased Theus' contract at NMSU to $466,000 per year, didn't stand a chance of keeping their king.

Even if NMSU had the money to match Sacramento, there's little doubt he would have stayed.

Theus fancies himself as a big-time coach and often called attention to his NBA roots.

"I have never been so happy and so sad at the same time," Theus said in a statement released by NMSU on Tuesday night.

Aggies fans should feel the same.

They should be sad because Theus' charisma, ability to recruit blue-chip talent and coaching style would eventually have made the midmajor Aggies (25-9 last season) into a major player in the NCAAs for years to come.

Lobos fans should be sad, too.

Many were eager for Theus' first showdown with new University of New Mexico coach Steve Alford. Two ex-NBA players and high-profile coaches matching wits twice a year . . . too bad it won't happen.

And don't forget Theus' theatrics in Las Cruces after the Aggies pounded the Lobos in embarrassing fashion. "Now that's what I'm talking about," Theus yelled on the public address microphone to Aggies fans after their lopsided defeat of the Lobos in the Pan American Center.

Lobos fans won't get their payback.

Well, unless you consider Theus jilting the Aggies as enough payback.

Still, Aggies fans should rejoice in their misfortune.

They lose a coach and savior, but Theus leaves Aggieland in better shape than when he arrived. NMSU was 6-24 prior to his first season. Theus' first Aggies team quickly improved to 16-14.

NMSU's roster is stocked with talented transfers and his recruiting class for 2007-08 includes highly touted high school standout Herb Pope, a McDonald's All-American.

The facilities have also improved at NMSU under Theus, and the school has shown an increased commitment to spend enough money to keep the Aggies competitive in the Western Athletic Conference.

All good things.

The next guy should benefit from what Theus started. NMSU should benefit because the school has more to offer Theus' replacement. The Aggies should be able to find a quality coach, maybe even the next Theus.

Lobos fans shouldn't get too giddy over the Aggies' misery.

Two years from now, UNM might be facing a similar quandary. If Alford can work the same magic Theus did in Las Cruces, you can bet the BCS powers and the NBA free-spenders will be taking a look at another New Mexico coach.

Of course, Alford has about a half-million more reasons to stay.