Texas hires Shaka Smart (story)

[Matt Cotcher]

A new era

submitted Today, 10:05 PM in Texas Longhorns Basketball By Horn Sports   

@hornsports
 
Five days after former Texas head coach Rick Barnes and the Longhorns parted from a 17-year relationship, University of Texas Athletic Director Steve Patterson found what appears to be a very capable successor in Virginia Commonwealth University head coach Shaka Smart. Smart, who turns 38 years old next week, was handpicked by Patterson to lead a Texas program that has struggled in recent years to live up to expectations, but possesses the resources, talent and potential to accomplish more. He becomes the 24th head coach in Texas Basketball history.

While the Longhorns remain devoid of a national championship in basketball, Barnes left the program as the winningest coach in itshistory with a record of 402-180. His accomplishments are notable, including earning his 600th career win and guiding Texas to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances in 17 years.

Smart became VCU's head coach in 2009 when Anthony Grant accepted the head coaching position at Alabama. In his six seasons with the Rams Smart amassed a .744 winning percentage (163-56) and led his 2011 team to the Final Four - a first for VCU. Smart’s Rams also won the CBI Tournament Championship in 2010, the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament in 2012 and the Atlantic-10 Tournament this season. Recognized with the Fritz Pollard and Clarence Gaines National Coach of the Year Awards, Smart's credentials are well-established.

Smart’s first head coaching position was at VCU but he’s no stranger to the game. He played point guard for Kenyon College, a private college in Gambier, Ohio, and after college immediately became an assistant coach at California University of Pennsylvania. Smart then served in the front-office for the Dayton basketball program for a couple of years before deciding he needed to be back on the court coaching. He went on to serve as an assistant coach at the University of Akron for three years, Clemson for two, and Florida for one where he learned under head coach Billy Donovan.

As the old saying goes, behind a good man is a good woman. In this case, women. When Smart arrives in Austin, he won’t be alone...Maya, his wife of 9 years, and their 4-year old daughter, Zora, will be new Austin residents.

The rumor-mill on potential coaches to replace Rich Barnes was in high-gear throughout Patterson’s search. Reports indicated that a search firm hired by Patterson contact Jay Wright, Brad Stevens and other notable coaches.

In the end Steve Patterson wanted a young, knowledgeable, energetic and charismatic coach. He wanted Shaka Smart…and he got him. 

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Did we even talk to anyone else? Just curious.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Smart's pregame routine:

https://vine.co/v/Olqlhghw9Ji

 

[Aaron Carrara]

And already on the recruiting trail:

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[Matt Cotcher]

And already on the recruiting trail:

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FYI, Brown is ranked in the Top 10 nationally for his position (SG) and Top 50 overall. He's the #1 player in Vermont.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

In retrospect, I now have absolutely no doubt that Charlie Strong had already talked to Smart before Wednesday's press conference.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

In retrospect, I now have absolutely no doubt that Charlie Strong had already talked to Smart before Wednesday's press conference.

 

[Chris Flanagan]

I love it when I'm right .

My guess is the search firm talked to others. Patterson only talked to Smart.

 

[joeywa]

Quick question for anyone "in the know."

Did Barnes leave behind the envelope full of time outs he took to the locker room after games for Smart? 

Yeah, I know, that's a cheap shot.  It just always burned me up over the years watching Barnes let the team "play through it" and not call a TO to get the team refocused.  Otherwise, I really liked Barnes, and wish him well at TN...unless we play them. 

 

[lakeman74]

This hire is completely badass on every level.

 

[Epictetus]

Did we even talk to anyone else? Just curious.

In my opinion, and just a fan but like to think I can read people and see intangibles, my answer is no, not anyone else. This was the best fit for a ton of reasons. The coaching jobs here now require the ability impress the hell out of people by the sheer magnitude of your presence as a human being -- that is imbued with the essence of the "It" factor of the game you serve.

In short, you need to bring it! Body language, style, movement, how you come across, how you engage athletes and make them alive in astonishing ways. How you invigorate the complete spectrum of the sport and it's connection with the fan base. How you attract special athletes who are just flat out ready to 'get it on.' And frankly, just looking at Gregg Marshall, I could see none of that. He might do extremely well at some other place, but not here. Not now. Not in this climate (atmosphere).

I see Shaka Smart as a perfect compliment to Coach Strong and the kick-ass 'dog' mentality of the football program. And with a code. With a kind of brotherhood mentality.

In football, a defense that is disruptive. In basketball, a style that wrecks havoc. It will catch on symbiotically. I think each program will feed into and from the other.

As I learned tonight, Texas joins Stanford and Georgia State now as the only programs with an African-American football and (men's) basketball coach.

Can I say... #WRTS

[Edited noon Friday... Texas, Stanford, Georgia State... I wasn't listening well !! ]

 

[Epictetus]

Let me add this... with the back-to-back hires of Charlie Strong and Shaka Smart... The University of Texas has just taken it to aggie.

The mojo is in Austin, make no mistake. Lots of fun ahead !!  Hard work and building, but should be fun.

 

[More Cowbell]

Any info yet if he is bringing the entire staff? Just wondering if there is a spot for Rob Lanier.

 

[BevoBlake]

I really love this hire. Only a matter of time before we see the "Texas Strong, Texas Smart" shirts rolling out. 

On the other hand, I wonder if Texas is going to pay the 250,000 to VCU or if we're going to schedule a Home and Home.

 

[Worster1]

#TRTS

or

#UTRTS

-if you prefer

 

[Godz40acres]

I see Shaka Smart as a perfect compliment to Coach Strong and the kick-ass 'dog' mentality of the football program. And with a code. With a kind of brotherhood mentality.

I see Smart as Strong's first guest on LHN's Longhorn Weekly. In fact, I doubt Charlie will "take a break" when Craig starts his chat with Shaka.

*Side Note: It was enjoyable to watch Charlie go from being "uncomfortable" in his various LHN shows to becoming relaxed and "fun," as well as making eye contact with the host, as the season progressed. He really didn't know how to take Lowell at first; now he brutalizes him (in a good humor way) all the time.

 

[streettopeschel]

I really love this hire. Only a matter of time before we see the "Texas Strong, Texas Smart" shirts rolling out. 

On the other hand, I wonder if Texas is going to pay the 250,000 to VCU or if we're going to schedule a Home and Home.

hope we keep the games. it would be fun and a nice SoS deal.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

hope we keep the games. it would be fun and a nice SoS deal.

I'm with STP - schedule VCU home & home. It will be fun!

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

I really love this hire. Only a matter of time before we see the "Texas Strong, Texas Smart" shirts rolling out.