University of St. Thomas (Houston)

Anthony Medina: "Passing Torches and Breaking Records" BOLD Interview

Anthony Medina serves as the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of St. Thomas (Houston, Texas). Since taking over the men’s basketball program in 2015, Medina has built one of the nation’s fastest-rising NCAA Division III programs by combining championship success with a relentless commitment to player development, academic achievement, and transformational leadership. In his administrative role, he also helps advance the mission of the St. Thomas athletic department while supporting student-athlete success beyond the basketball court. 

Following St. Thomas’ transition from NAIA to NCAA Division III in 2019, Medina has guided the Celts to unprecedented success. His teams have compiled a 155-27 (.852) overall record and a remarkable 96-12 (.889) record in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) play while capturing multiple conference regular season and tournament championships and earning consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. 

The 2025-26 season became the defining year of Medina’s coaching career and the most successful season in program history. The Celts finished 29-2, completed the first undefeated conference season in school history at 16-0, captured both the SCAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships, and advanced to the program’s first-ever NCAA Elite Eight. Along the way, St. Thomas won a school-record 26 consecutive games and finished the season ranked among the top teams in the country. 

For his leadership during the historic season, Medina was named the 2026 NABC Division III National Coach of the Year, NABC District 10 Coach of the Year, D3hoops.com Region 10 Coach of the Year, and SCAC Coach of the Year, becoming the first coach in University of St. Thomas history to receive the National Association of Basketball Coaches National Coach of the Year award. 

Over 11 seasons as head coach, Medina has compiled a 218-86 (.717) overall record while leading the program through one of the most successful eras in school history. His teams have consistently been recognized for their disciplined defense, unselfish offensive play, and commitment to academic and personal excellence. Under his leadership, St. Thomas has produced numerous All-Conference, All-Region, Academic All-Conference, and national award recipients while establishing itself as one of Division III basketball’s most respected programs. 

Before beginning his coaching career, Medina was one of the most accomplished players in University of St. Thomas history. After graduating from The Woodlands High School, he played three seasons for Hall of Fame coach Todd Smith, earning All-Red River Athletic Conference honors twice while shooting over 40 percent from three-point range for his career. At the time of his graduation, he held the school’s career records for points, rebounds, and three-point field goals. 

Away from the collegiate game, Medina is the founder and director of Medina Basketball, one of the premier youth basketball organizations in the Greater Houston area. Through year-round teams, camps, clinics, and player development programs, he has helped hundreds of student-athletes pursue opportunities to compete at the collegiate level while emphasizing character, leadership, and academic success. 

Anthony and his wife, Samone, live in the Houston area with their two sons, Memphis and Julian. 

Key Accomplishments:

• 2019:

  Red River Athletic Conference Tournament Champions

  NAIA National Tournament appearance

• 2020:

   SCAC Regular Season Champions

  USCAA National Tournament appearance

• 2021: 

  SCAC Tournament Champions

• 2022: 

  SCAC Regular Season

  SCACTournament Champions

• 2023:

  SCAC Regular Season Champions

  NCAA National Tournament bid

• 2024: 

  NCAA National Tournament appearance

• 2025: 

          SCAC Regular Season

          Tournament Champions

          NCAA Tournament Round of 32

• 2026: Reached 200 Career Wins as Head Coach ( Jan 9th versus University of Dallas)

Coach of the Year Awards:

• 2020: 

  USCAA National Coach of the Year

• 2021: 

  SCAC Conference Coach of the Year

• 2023: 

  SCAC Conference Coach of the Year

  NCAA Region 10 Coach of the Year

• 2025: 

            SCAC Conference Coach of the Year

Head Coach Records: