Andre Owens was named the Director of Recruiting by Head Coach Rob Lanier in April of 2022, and added Assistant Coach to his duties in July of 2023.
Following his first season on the Hilltop, which included a runner-up finish at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Owens helped bring in a transfer class ranked as high as No. 42 nationally and No. 2 in The American. In August of 2023, the Mustangs went on a 10-day trip to Spain, going 3-0 with games in Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.
Owens came to the Hilltop after three seasons as an assistant coach at Sam Houston (2019-2022). The Bearkats went 56-36 in three seasons, including a 37-17 conference record. The Bearkats were in the top four in the league standings each season. In 2021, Owens was named to the Dave Campbell’s Texas Basketball 40 under 40.
He spent the previous three seasons as the head coach at Western Texas College in Snyder (2016-19). The Westerners went 50-38 under Owens. Western Texas College finished 22-10 and placed second at the Region V tournament in Owens’ first season. He coached three National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All-Americans, six All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference selections and nine players who signed to play Division I basketball.
Before taking the helm at Western Texas College, Owens was an assistant coach at Oklahoma City University from 2012-15. While there, his responsibilities were recruiting, player development, practice planning, film breakdown, scouting, strength and conditioning program and fundraising.
Owens previously serves as a volunteer coach at Eastfield Community College from 2010-12.
As a player, Owens attended UTSA where he was a two-year starter after signing with the Roadrunners out of McLennan Community College. He averaged 18 points and six rebounds and was a second-team All-Southland Conference selection.
After college, Owens played professionally in Germany and Turkey for two years, then played in the Continental Basketball Association for a season.
Owens is a native of Irving. He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UTSA in 2007.
“I’ve known Andre for about nine years, and what has stood out to me is that everyone who knows him thinks highly of him. That reputation is why he has such a bright future. He works really hard and has a subtle, understated approach that always seems to hit the mark. Those attributes along with the fact that he has extensive experience as a player, an assistant coach and as a head coach is why he brings enormous value to SMU Basketball.” - Head Coach Rob Lanier
