Lamont Smith, head coach for the University of San Diego men’s basketball program, announced the hiring of two new staff members. Terrence Rencher joins the coaching staff as an assistant coach. Additionally, Lance LaVetter is coming onboard as Director of Basketball Operations.
Terrence Rencher joins USD from the University of New Mexico where he was an assistant coach the past two seasons under Craig Neal. The past two seasons the Lobos won 17 overall games and 10 conference contests. Prior to his New Mexico post, he was on his second stint at Texas State in San Marcos, Texas. The Bronx native spent a total of four seasons in two separate stints as an assistant with the Bobcats. Rencher first coached at Texas State from 2009 to 2011 before rejoining as a member of Danny Kaspar’s staff in 2013. The Bobcats were one of the Sun Belt’s best defensive teams with Rencher on staff during the 2013-14 season.
“Terrence will be an excellent addition to our staff,” said head coach Lamont Smith. “Terrence is a high energy, experienced coach and recruiter. His integrity and passion align well with the core values of our program. His experience as a former college & NBA player will pay huge dividends with our players and program.”
He spent one season as an assistant at Tulsa University and Sam Houston State between his stints in San Marcos, Texas. While a member of the Golden Hurricane staff, Rencher coached Jordan Clarkson who spent his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2014-15. His college coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Saint Louis under the late Rick Majerus during the 2008-09 season.
Rencher spent a decade playing basketball professionally from 1995 to 2006 in the NBA, CBA and in Europe. He spent the 1995-96 season with the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns after being the 32nd overall selection of the 1995 NBA Draft. Rencher spent nine years playing in Europe following his 1996-97 season in the CBA. His professional career in Europe took him to Italy, Germany, Greece, Croatia and Israel. He garnered MVP awards in Italy and Germany while earning All-Star recognition in Germany, Italy, Israel and Croatia.
The 1991 Mr. Basketball in the state of New York is the Texas Longhorns’ all-time leading scorer (2,306 points) and career steals leader (255). Rencher also ranks sixth in assists in Longhorn history. He was named the 1992 Dick Vitale National Freshman of the Year and helped guide the Longhorns to a trio of NCAA Tournament appearances and conference championships.
Rencher is a 2007 graduate of the University of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Education with a focus on youth and community studies. He and his wife, Faye, have two daughters Siena and Savannah.
Lance LaVetter joins USD from Seattle University where he was an assistant coach for the Eagles the past three seasons.
“I am thrilled for Lance to join our staff,” added Smith. “Lance is multi-talented and brings a wealth of experience to our program and will help us continue to build USD basketball. I have worked with Lance at St. Louis University and the University of Washington and have seen first hand his high level of attention to detail, work ethic, character and loyalty.”
LaVetter has been a member of nine college basketball teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament during his vast coaching career. LaVetter spent 12 seasons as the director of basketball operations under Lorenzo Romar at the University of Washington, where he was responsible for team travel, game operations, community outreach projects, youth programs, and alumni relations. He also directed the Lorenzo Romar Basketball Camps and has extensive experience as a summer camp director and instructor, coaching at the University of San Diego, Eastern Arizona, and University of Arizona camps in the past.
LaVetter, along with Romar and Cameron Dollar, came to Washington from Saint Louis University, where he spent three years on the coaching staff. He served as an assistant coach for the University of Portland’s women’s basketball team from 1997 to 1999, helping the Pilots reach the 1999 WNIT, and for the New Mexico State men’s basketball program from 1995 to 1997, helping lead the Aggies to the Big West Conference championship in 1996.
A 1992 graduate of Northern Arizona University, LaVetter received his bachelor’s degree in education, specializing in social sciences. He was a one-year letterman in basketball for the Lumberjacks.
LaVetter was a multi-sport athlete at Rincon High School in Tucson, Ariz. and graduated in 1986 after earning all-state honors in baseball and all-metro honors in basketball. He also was an honorable mention all-state selection in basketball and a letterman in football. He continued his basketball career at Pima Community College where he earned an Associate of Arts degree in education.
Lance and his wife, Michelle, have a daughter, Delaney Morgan.
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