The Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team could be closing in on their next head coach. Since firing Rick Barnes, the Longhorns have been linked to VCU Rams head coach Shaka Smart.
On Thursday, the two sides are set to formally meet.
According to a report from the Associated Press, Texas athletic director Steve Patterson will be meeting with Smart and offering him the Longhorns job.
The report states that Texas is hoping to announce Shaka Smart as the new coach as early as Friday.
VCU athletic director Ed McLaughlin previously stated that there was nothing imminet with Smart and Texas and that Smart was still the VCU head coach. That could all be changing soon.
According to Chip Brown of HornsDigest, a five-year deal worth around $14 million is “on the table.”
In his six seasons with VCU, Shaka Smart led the Rams to a a 163–56 record which included a Final Four appearance in 2011 and five straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
This season, VCU was ousted from the tournament by Ohio State in the Round of 64.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
