Coach Smart
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Smart trades Rams horns for Texas Longhorns
When Shaka Smart was hired as Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball coach in 2009, he was a little known, much traveled assistant, with a name that puzzled people. Since then, his name and fame — and that of his signature game style, “Havoc” — spread. Last week, Smart traded his Rams horns for the Texas Longhorns. He leaves Richmond as one of the hottest commodities in the sport, practically a household name among hoops enthusiasts.
‘Shaka watch’: Is VCU coach staying or going?
Will Shaka Smart remain a Richmonder? Or will he be shopping for a Stetson and cowboy boots in the near future? Kidding aside, Smart was still very much the basketball coach at Virginia Commonwealth University at Free Press press time on Wednesday. It was widely reported that Smart — with a 163-56 record in six seasons at VCU — was in talks earlier this week with University of Texas Athletic Director Steve Patterson. Multiple reports indicate Texas is offering Smart a five-year deal worth $14 million in base salary with possible incentives.
