DENTON, Texas – Head coach Johnny Estelle of the Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team will be stepping down from his position to take the role of assistant coach at the University of North Texas.
Estelle leaves the program after nine seasons in charge of the Blue and Gold after their most recent season in which the Javelinas went 21-12 on the year and 14-8 in Lone Star Conference play winning the East Division, and qualifying for the NCAA South Central Regional for the fourth time in his tenure and eighth time in program history.
"One would be hard-pressed to find a more passionate advocate for Javelina Nation than Coach Estelle," said University President Dr. Robert Vela. "We are incredibly grateful to him for his leadership and commitment to excellence on and off the court. During his time as head coach, he has inspired, motivated and educated an entire generation of outstanding students. He has championed the "Javelina Way" and has led by example. I wish Coach Estelle and his family the very best as they begin this next chapter."
During his time as head coach of the Javelinas, Estelle led the program to a record of 137-112 making him the second-winningest coach in program history behind only Pete Peterson (241-226). Estelle's winning percentage of .550 is also the second-highest in Javelina men's basketball history, only behind his former coach Bill Carter who posted a winning percentage of .610 from 1991-1997.
"Words cannot express my extreme gratitude and unconditional love for Javelina Nation," said Estelle upon leaving his alma mater. "I can not repay you for what you have given to me, my family, and all of our student-athletes...It has been an absolute honor and pleasure to serve as your Javelina head men's basketball coach...No matter where God takes me in life, I will always embody the Javelina spirit and pride in all I do... Once a Javelina, always a Javelina!"
The Hogs qualified for the NCAA tournament a total of four times under coach Estelle (2017, 2020, 2022, 2023) winning two LSC Division titles (2021, 2023) while also becoming the first coach to get the Javelinas to the NCAA second round, while also leading TAMUK to the LSC Championship game in 2022 where they finished runner-up.
Estelle had also been recognized as the National Coach of the Week for Division II on three separate occasions as the leader of TAMUK men's basketball.
"I want to thank Coach Estelle for all he has done for this program, Javelina Athletics, and Texas A&M University-Kingsville," said TAMUK Athletic Director Steve Roach. "Johnny is a true Javelina who has led our men's basketball program with character, respect, and excellence, and that has shown on and off the court with his teams and as a person, while also being a tremendous ambassador for the athletics department and the university as a whole. We wish him nothing, but the best in the future."
An alum of Texas A&M-Kingsville, Estelle transferred to Kingsville and as a senior in 1995-96 lead the team to a school-record 23 wins, a Lone Star Conference Tournament Championship, and a berth in the NCAA in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
He earned All-Lone Star Conference Second-Team honors after averaging 16.0 points per game and swiping a school-record 88 steals. Later that season, he drained a school-record nine 3-pointers in the LSC Tournament championship against Central Oklahoma and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
It was the second straight season he was named to the league's All-Tournament Team, after earning the honor in 1994-95. In two seasons, Estelle finished with 742 points, 214 rebounds, 211 assists and 138 steals.
