The Rams (26-10 this season) have been back in the NCAA tournament each of the past four seasons, but they were eliminated in the round of 32 in 20, and lost their opening game in overtime each of the past two seasons. The Rams went from a questionable selection, barely getting a bid and playing in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, to beating five major-conference schools to reach the national semifinals, the last victory coming against Kansas in San Antonio. Smart gained prominence during VCU's run to the Final Four in 2011. It just may be a little bit more talented individual." We're going to look for those same core characteristics. "The caliber of player goes up when you're talking about Texas and you're talking about the Big 12," Smart told "SportsCenter." "But the things that you're looking for in a player do not change in terms of coachability, being a highly energetic player out there on the floor, being a versatile guy and being somebody that gives your teammates energy. But the Longhorns have the wealthiest athletic department in the country, and easy access to some of the nation's biggest recruiting grounds in Dallas and Houston. He is leaving for a Texas program that hasn't been able to nudge Kansas from atop the Big 12. His teams reached the NCAA tournament five times. ![]() Smart won at least 26 games in each of his six seasons at VCU, a feat matched only by Duke. Smart said he did not realize the historical significance until friends told him. Charlie Strong, the school's first African-American football coach, completed his first season in December. Smart is the first African-American men's basketball coach at Texas. Patterson said Smart received a seven-year contract, the first six years fully guaranteed, with average compensation of about $3 million. Somebody who plays an exciting style of basketball." Somebody who is a great and dedicated coach. "Somebody all of us have had an eye on for some time. "We looked out on the horizon and said, 'Who do we really want?'" Patterson said. Texas men's athletic director Steve Patterson said he did not interview other candidates. ![]() "I don't want to take away from any other program, but there is only one University of Texas. "To me, it was a no-brainer," said Smart, wearing a burnt-orange tie to his first news conference at Texas. He also reportedly received offers from USC, NC State, Maryland, Marquette, Illinois and Wake Forest over the years. Smart was introduced as the new basketball coach of Texas on Friday, leaving Virginia Commonwealth for the Longhorns after turning down several suitors, including UCLA, since taking VCU to the Final Four in 2011. ![]() Shaka Smart finally received an offer he couldn't resist. Men's College Basketball, Texas Longhorns, VA Commonwealth Rams Shaka Smart: Principles that worked at VCU will work at Texas You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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