Texas basketball finally moved on from Rick Barnes on Monday after 17 years, and it appears the Longhorns may already be zeroing in on their next head coach. Texas and VCU’s Shaka Smart are having discussions about the Longhorns’ opening, according to CBS’ Jon Rothstein.
Texas, Shaka Smart discuss head coach job, per report
Texas is targeting the VCU coach for its vacancy.
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
The 37-year-old Smart has been at VCU since the 2009-10 season, compiling a 163-56 record. His team made the Final Four in 2011 and reached the NCAA Tournament in five of his six years at the school.
Smart’s teams are mostly known for Havoc defense, a full court press scheme hellbent on forcing turnovers in the backcourt. He’s also become an impressive recruiter in recent years, landing VCU three freshmen in the ESPN top 100 in the class of 2014 and two more in the class of 2015.
Smart’s system would bring a new look to Texas from the one it had under Rick Barnes. Texas typically targeted massive centers like Cam Ridley and Myles Turner under Barnes, while Smart might look to fill the roster with more fluid athletes.
Both Texas and VCU lost in the Round of 64 this season.
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