Thompson Leaves Rice to Take Wichita State Coaching Position

HOUSTON — Scott Thompson, who guided Rice’s basketball team to its first 20-victory season since 1953-54, resigned to take the head coaching job at Wichita State Monday night.

Houston television station KHOU reported Thompson, 37, was signing a five-year deal at Wichita worth between $1.5 million and $2 million.

At Wichita State, Thompson replaces Mike Cohen, who resigned after compiling a 32-56 record in three seasons and losing 20 games this year, a school single-season record for losses.

Thompson led Rice to a 20-11 mark this season. Through five seasons with Thompson, Rice was 65-79.

“I told the guys the program will go on with or without Scott Thompson,” he said. “The hard part is that I feel we will be good in years to come, and I still love Rice.”

Nevada Las Vegas and Oregon had sought to talk with Thompson.