Report: Shaka Smart leaving VCU to take Texas gig
Texas athletic director Steve Patterson got his man.
After Patterson flew to Richmond to meet with VCU head coach Shaka Smart on Thursday evening, Smart has accepted the head coaching job at Texas, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
The writing was on the wall that Smart would make the move when ESPN's Jeff Goodman tweeted that Smart scheduled a team meeting with his now former Rams players.
Smart served as the head coach at VCU for the last six seasons. In that time he compiled a 163-56 record, guiding the Rams to a CBI title in his first season with the program, and to the NCAA tournament in each of the last five years, including a trip to the Final Four in 2011. VCU won at least 26 games in each of Smart's six seasons in Richmond. The only other school to win at least 26 games each season in that time is Duke.
Smart leaves VCU as the school's all-time leader in wins with 137 - one win ahead of Sonny Smith.
Smart replaces Rick Barnes, who served as the head men's basketball coach at Texas for 17 seasons, guiding the team to the NCAA tournament 16 times. In 2003, Barnes brought the Longhorns back to the Final Four for the first time since 1947.
Barnes has since signed on to become the head coach at Tennessee.
VCU athletic director Ed McLaughlin said that the university will issue a statement regarding the matter Friday.
Details of Smart's contract have not been released. The soon-to-be 38-year-old made $1.57 million at VCU this past season. He will owe the university $500,000 under the terms of his contract. Texas will also be obligated to schedule a home-and-home with VCU or give the university $250,000.
Texas paid Barnes $2.62 million this past season.