Shaka Smart has been the head coach of the VCU Rams since 2009. (Getty)
The Texas Longhorns have hired shaka Smart to be their next head coach.
BREAKING: Shaka Smart has accepted Texas’ head coaching job. (via @GoodmanESPN and media reports) http://t.co/VlDiPJk32v
On Monday, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported that VCU men’s basketball head coach was meeting with the University of Texas about the program’s head coaching vacancy.
Texas fired Rick Barnes after 17 seasons — Barnes became Texas’ head coach in 1998.
BREAKING: VCU’s Shaka Smart is in discussions with Texas about its head coaching vacancy, sources told @CBSSports. Story coming.
Texas is in discussion with Shaka Smart about its coaching vacancy: http://t.co/0OXGAfBkxo http://t.co/CmrZe3kU1e
Here is what you need to know about a potential Smart move:
1. Texas Moved on From Rick Barnes After 17 Seasons
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Texas fired head coach Rick Barnes on March 29th. Barnes became Texas’ head coach in 1998 and reached the NCAA Tournament 16 times in 17 seasons. Texas reached the Final Four in 2003 — losing to Syracuse in the National Semifinal.
2. Original Reports Said Texas Would Target Gregg Marshall
Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall (Getty)
Originally, reports said Texas would target Gregg Marshall, the head coach of the Wichita State Shockers. Marshall has interest in the position.
In the last three seasons, Wichita state has advanced to the Final Four (2013, lost to Louisville), finished the regular season undefeated (lost to Kentucky in the Round of 32 in the 2014 NCAA Tournament) and reached the Sweet 16 (2015, lost to Notre Dame).
3. Smart Has Been the Head Coach at VCU Since 2009
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Before Smart became VCU’s head coach in 2009, he was an assistant coach at various schools. since 2009, Smart is 163-56 as head coach, good for a .744 winning percentage. Smart has also turned VCU into a perennial mid-major power.
4. Smart Led the Rams to the 2011 Final Four in Houston
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VCU, an 11-seed that almost didn’t make the NCAA Tournament, went on one of the all-time great Tournament Cinderella runs by defeating Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State and Kansas
5. Smart Signed an Extension Through 2019
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After the 2010-11 season, Smart signed an 8-year contract extension.
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Shaka Smart Hired By Texas: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know