After plenty of speculation, multiple media reports late Thursday night passed along the news that Shaka Smart would be leaving the VCU Rams to become the head men’s basketball coach of the Texas Longhorns.
Shaka Smart is leaving to become the head coach at Texas,sources confirm. @NBC12
— Marc Davis (@marcdavissports) April 3, 2015
An official announcement is expected to take place on Friday during a press conference.
VCU has yet to comment on the reports, but have passed along news that they will have a statement to deliver Friday.
“Out of respect for Coach Smart and the University of Texas, we decline comment at this point. I have spoken with Coach Smart and we will have a statement tomorrow,” VCU Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin.
In his six years as the VCU leading man, Smart has a 163–56 coaching record. The Rams have reached the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in five straight years under Smart, including a trip to the Final Four in 2011.
Previous reports have indicated Smart’s deal with Texas will be for five years and at least $14 million, though financial terms of the deal have yet to be released.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to Amber Searls , USA TODAY Sports
