In 2000-01, in just three season, the Rams advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time in 10 years and the third time in school history. Angelo State won the Lone Star Conference South Division Championship with a 22-8 record, which tied the highest single-season win total in school history and 11-1 Conference record best ever in the Lone Star Conference. In addition, Esposito was voted LSC South Coach of the Year in 2001.
