Texas A&M Men’s Basketball Adds Darby Rich as Strength and Conditioning Coach

WTAW 1620 Aggie Basketball

News release from Texas A&M Athletics:

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M men’s basketball head coach Bucky McMillan announced the return of Darby Rich as the Aggies’ strength and conditioning coach on Wednesday.

Rich previously served as the Aggie basketball team’s strength and conditioning coach for eight seasons from 2011-19 under then-head coach Billy Kennedy. Rich has 22 years of sports performance coaching experience and 28 overall years of service in collegiate athletics. During his coaching career, he has helped lead 11 teams to the NCAA Tournament and developed 20 NBA players.

Most recently, Rich served in a similar role for the University of Texas men’s basketball program, helping the Longhorns to a 19-16 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament First Four. Additionally, Rich’s coaching history includes collegiate stops at Memphis (2019-21, 2023-24), Texas Tech (2021-23), Sam Houston State (1998-2001, 2009-10), Oklahoma (2004-09) and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College and an internship at the professional level under the tutelage of legendary strength coach Joe Jurazsek with the Dallas Cowboys (2001-02).

During his previous stint at Texas A&M, Rich helped develop six NBA players including Robert Williams, Khris Middleton, Danuel House, Alex Caruso, Tyler Davis and Jalen Jones and nine all-conference individuals. The Aggies tallied a total of 151 victories (18.9 per season) during Rich’s eight seasons in College Station, won the 2016 Southeastern Conference regular-season title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 16 in both 2016 and 2018.

As an undergraduate, Rich played five seasons (1987-92) on the basketball team at the University of Alabama. He helped the Crimson Tide make four NCAA Tournament appearances (1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992), including back-to-back Sweet 16 trips in 1990 and 1991. Rich served as a team tri-captain during his senior year in 1991-92 and was collegiate teammates with future NBA stars Robert Horry (1988-92) and Latrell Sprewell (1990-92).

A native of Greer, S.C., Rich is a 1992 graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in criminal justice. He was an all-state basketball player at Riverside High School. Rich and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, Case and Cannon.

 

Rich’s Coaching Experience

Years

Organization

Position/Title

2024-25

Texas

Strength and Conditioning, Athletic Performance

2023-24

Memphis

Strength and Conditioning Coach

2021-23

Texas Tech

Strength and Conditioning Coach

2019-21

Memphis

Strength and Conditioning Coach

2011-19

Texas A&M

Strength and Conditioning Coach

2009-10

Sam Houston State

Volunteer Assistant Coach

2004-09

Oklahoma

Strength and Conditioning Coach

2002-04

South Carolina

Men’s / Women’s Basketball Strength and Conditioning Coach

2001-2002

Dallas Cowboys

Strength and Conditioning Intern

1998-2001

Sam Houston State

Assistant Coach

1993-97

Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College

Assistant Coach

 

 

NBA Players Developed under Darby Rich

Player

School

Precious Achiuwa

Memphis

Damion Baugh

Memphis

Lester Quinones

Memphis

Nae’Qwan Tomlin

Memphis

James Wiseman

Memphis

Kevin McCullar Jr.

Texas Tech

Terrence Shannon Jr.

Texas Tech

Jaylon Tyson

Texas Tech

Alex Caruso

Texas A&M

Tyler Davis

Texas A&M

Danuel House

Texas A&M

Jalen Jones

Texas A&M

Khris Middleton

Texas A&M

Robert Williams

Texas A&M

Blake Griffin

Oklahoma

Taylor Griffin

Oklahoma

Willie Warren

Oklahoma

Renaldo Balkman

South Carolina

Tarence Kinsey

South Carolina

Ben Davis

Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College

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