Shaka Smart leaving VCU for Texas
Virginia Commonwealth University coach Shaka Smart accepted the Texas Longhorns job on Thursday night, according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
Texas athletic director Steve Patterson traveled to Richmond, Va., to meet with Smart, who reportedly also met with his VCU players Thursday, presumably to break the news to them.
Reports on Wednesday suggested the Longhorns were nearing an agreement and offered Smart a five-year, $14.5 million contract.
The Longhorns were seeking a replacement for Rick Barnes, who was dismissed last weekend after 17 seasons as coach. Barnes has since found other employment, accepting a job as Tennessee’s head coach on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old Smart made $1.5 million last season. In six seasons at VCU, he led the Rams to five consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.
