Ronnie Courtney enters his fifth season as head coach of the men's basketball team and has turned the program into a competitive threat in Southwestern Athletic Conference basketball.

Courtney's 2002-2003 team were the SWAC Tournament Champions and went on to compete in the NCAA Tournament Play-In Game. Texas Southern lost to UNC-Asheville in overtime, 84-92.

During Coach Courtney's first year, Texas Southern fell to Alcorn State in the semifinals of the SWAC Tournament, 65-87. That year, Courtney's squad finished 4th in the SWAC with an overall record of 11-17 and a conference record of 10-8. "College Hoops Insider.com" named Courtney "Coach of the Year" for 2001-2002.

Prior to coming to TSU, Courtney led Fort Bend Willowridge High School (Missouri City, TX) to two consecutive 5-A state championships. Under his direction, Willowridge emerged as one of the elite programs in the country. In four years, Courtney built the Eagle program into a national contender, averaging 25 victories per season. He was named USA Today National Coach of the Year.

Courtney has been coaching for more than 20 years. He began is career as an assistant at Houston Furr High School. He was there eight years before taking the head coaching position at Jefferson Davis High School. During his high school tenure, Courtney was named the district Coach of the Year four times and was chosen Greater Houston Area Coach of the Year three times.

At Willowridge, Courtney compiled an impressive 100-44 record. He has coached three players to All-American honors including guards Daniel Ewing (DUKE) and T.J. Ford (University of Texas / NBA), and forward Ivan McFarland (Oklahoma State). Courtney's career high school record is an impressive 237-120 with a 66.4 winning percentage.

Courtney is a Houston native who began his athletic career as a quarterback and point guard at Ross Sterling High School. After graduation in 1976, Courtney took his talents to McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Health in 1981, with a minor in English. Courtney played football for one season while at McMurry and was a captain on the basketball team during his junior and senior year. He was named Most Valuable Player of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference Tournament his junior and senior year, and also earned All-TIAA Conference honors as a senior at the guard position.