DENVER, Colo. – Regis University is officially hiring Rex Walters as the 11th Head Coach of the Rangers Men's Basketball team since the program's inception in 1946, Director of Athletics Tommy Gilhooly announced on Wednesday.
"Besides Coach Walters impressive playing and coaching career, what stood out was his desire to be an authentic member of our Regis community with intention and Magis," said Gilhooly. "During our departmental wide interview process it was clear to everyone that he is a man for others, a true servant leader, and wants to build not only a remarkable basketball program but also support the lift of the entire Regis Athletics Family. He is one of us. Welcome to the Battalion Coach, Go Rangers!"
Walters brings a wealth of professional and collegiate playing and coaching experience to RU. He played at Northwestern University (Ill.), where he was All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 1990, and averaged 17.5 PPG on 47.3% three-point shooting. He then transferred to the University of Kansas, earning two All-Big Eight nods, the Big Eight Newcomer of the Year in 1992, the Big Eight Male Athlete of the Year in 1993, and AP All-America Honorable Mention in 1993. The Jayhawks won two Big Eight Conference Titles and made the NCAA Final Four in 1993. Walters led KU in scoring both years, totaled 68 starts, and averaged 15.6 PPG on 51% from the floor and 42% from deep.
He would then go on to be drafted 16th overall in the 1993 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets. As a rookie, he played in 48 games, leading the team with a 52.2% shooting percentage. Walters started 30 games with the Nets in the 1994-95 season and was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1995-96 season. He played in 59 games for Philadelphia in 1996–97, making 16 starts behind Allen Iverson and Jerry Stackhouse. He led the team in three-point shooting with a .385 mark while averaging 6.8 points a game. He finished his NBA career with two and a half seasons with the Miami Heat from 1998-2000, helping the Heat to three straight Atlantic Division titles.
Following his time in the NBA, Walters played professionally in Spain for Club Baloncesto León, and CB Gran Canaria, as well as two stints with the ABA Kansas City Knights.
His coaching career began at Blue Valley Northwest High School in 2002-03, winning the Kansas 6A Sub State Championship. Following that, Walters was an Assistant Coach for Valparaiso University (Ind.) from 2003-05, being ranked the 20th best assistant coach at the mid-major level in 2005. That turned into an Associate Head Coach position for one year at Florida Atlantic University, and two seasons as the Owls' Head Coach.
His longest head coaching tenure started at the University of San Francisco, another Jesuit institution, in 2008. Walters was named the West Coast Conference Coach of the Year in 2013-14 after leading the Dons to a school record 21 wins. In his time at USF, he qualified for four postseason tournaments, recorded two 20-win seasons, and boasted an 80% graduation rate.
Following the 2016 season, Walters became the Head Coach of the NBA Developmental League Grand Rapids Drive, leading the squad to their first ever winning season. He moved up for one season as an Assistant Coach for Player Development with the Detroit Pistons, before winning a Mountain West Championship with the AP #20 University of Nevada-Reno in 2018-19 as a Special Assistant to the Head Coach. In 2019-20, he was an Associate Head Coach for Wake Forest University (N.C.), and returned to the NBA in 2020-21 as an Assistant Coach with the New Orleans Pelicans. Walters spent time with ESPN+, FS1, and Westwood One Radio as a basketball analyst and was most recently an Assistant Coach for the Charlotte Hornets.
"I can't express how excited I am about this opportunity at Regis University," said Walters. "From my first conversation with Tommy Gilhooly, I got fired up about coaching and recruiting true Student-Athletes and building upon a proud basketball program. I wouldn't be here without those conversations with Tommy and his vision for the Men's Basketball program and the entire Athletics Department. Tommy has a vision that I believe in. Regis has so much to offer! To think that I get to live in a great city, work for a great University alongside great people is what it is all about. There is a lot of work to be done but I will focus on our Men's Basketball being the best we can be in the classroom, the community and on the basketball court. When you watch us play at the Fieldhouse, I want you saying "that team plays hard, smart and together." I cannot wait to get to work. My Family and I look forward to working with all of you to showcase how special Regis University is. Let's Go!"
Walters will assume his duties as Head Coach on August 18.
