Shaka Smart to Texas

[SaltyND24]

Just got a notification saying that it's official. With the resources that Texas is willing to throw into the program, they are going to be a national title contender within five years in my opinion.

 

[bkess8]

Just got a notification saying that it's official. With the resources that Texas is willing to throw into the program, they are going to be a national title contender within five years in my opinion.

Not sure it will take 5 years, I would say 3 and they will be in the elite eight consistently. Great hire by Texas!

 

[Irish YJ]

Was hoping he'd get snagged by IU in the coming years.

 

[blueNDgold44]

Wow, Texas is going to be really Smart and Strong in the future.

I'll see myself out...

 

[IrishLax]

If he fails it'll be because of Patterson, who is a terrible human being and worse executive.

I LOVE Shaka Smart and I really hope he's empowered to do well.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I honestly don't understand the hype behind UT basketball. Was Rick Barnes really that bad as to blind me to the greatness of that program? I just don't see it.

 

[PerthDomer]

Texas is just ridiculously loaded in terms of bball talent in the HS ranks. The team this year was top 10 pre season due to talent but just flamed out. Barnes has had a habit of underachieving despite massive talent, basically an anti-Brey.

 

[SaltyND24]

I honestly don't understand the hype behind UT basketball. Was Rick Barnes really that bad as to blind me to the greatness of that program? I just don't see it.

I think it's a thing where they were willing to throw what will be a great deal of money to get their guy. One would have to imagine that they are going to give every resource that shaka will need to get that program to an elite level. Being in the big 12 will definitely allow him better access to top tier recruits and we all know how well his squads are coached. Home run hire for them.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I think it's a thing where they were willing to throw what will be a great deal of money to get their guy. One would have to imagine that they are going to give every resource that shaka will need to get that program to an elite level. Being in the big 12 will definitely allow him better access to top tier recruits and we all know how well his squads are coached. Home run hire for them.

I agree that Shaka Smart is a great hire. For years, he and Brad Stevens were the two coaches always linked to bigger and better jobs in CBB. Coach Stevens made the leap to the NBA and it seems that Smart decided to jump to UT. I wish him luck.

 

[irishff1014]

Not sure that the article i saw but some strip club promised him lifetime lap dances for free if he stayed at VCU lol.

 

[NDinL.A.]

What a great hire. I LOVE Shaka Smart, the way he coaches in games and in practices as well. Saw him do a talk at a coaches clinic and he was phenomenal...as a coach I took a ton out of it.

I hate TX though and can't bring myself to root for them...I wish he had taken the UCLA job last year (I know, go ahead and rip me), which has an obviously much more storied basketball tradition, and is a place where he won't be overshadowed by the football program. For me, it was a weird choice, but great hire for TX...

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I honestly don't understand the hype behind UT basketball. Was Rick Barnes really that bad as to blind me to the greatness of that program? I just don't see it.

Yes. He did less with more than anyone in the country. Kansas has not always had the most talent in the Big XII during this current 11 year conference title streak. Texas has most often been in the conversation. THey just never play to their potential. This year was a perfect example. A mediocre team with top 10 talent.

This is a home run hire. Will be interesting to watch!

 

[Irish#1]

I like Smart as well. Like Stevens, he had some previous offers but was content with what he had. It had to take a boat load of money and probably some other promises to get him to take the job.

The one thing he will never be able to overcome no matter how successful he is, is that "Texas is a football school". That cloud will always be there.

Like Irish YJ, I was hoping he would end up at IU, but I wish him well.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I like Smart as well. Like Stevens, he had some previous offers but was content with what he had. It had to take a boat load of money and probably some other promises to get him to take the job.

The one thing he will never be able to overcome no matter how successful he is, is that "Texas is a football school". That cloud will always be there.

Like Irish YJ, I was hoping he would end up at IU, but I wish him well.

Football will always be king...like it is in most places. But, like Florida a few years ago, they can co-exist and have success. Texas is also just huge...the state and the school (about 50,000 enrollees). If they win, and he'll have them winning, they'll draw.

 

[Irish YJ]

I like Smart as well. Like Stevens, he had some previous offers but was content with what he had. It had to take a boat load of money and probably some other promises to get him to take the job.

The one thing he will never be able to overcome no matter how successful he is, is that "Texas is a football school". That cloud will always be there.

Like Irish YJ, I was hoping he would end up at IU, but I wish him well.

I agree, a boat load of money, but I think it went much deeper. TX, although a football state, does love their BB. One thing about UT is that their level of commitment to BB (financial and other) is probably tops among "FB" schools. My buddies in Dallas and SA both are crazy FB fans, but they are also huge BB fans too. The perception I get from UT fans is that they want their cake and eat it too (best in everything). It comes down to the Texas (state, not the school) attitude and pride IMO.

All in all, great situation for Smart. The above aside, Texas is a crazy hotbed for BB recruits. There really aren't many better options out there. I would not be shocked to see UT in the elite 8 next year with Smart at the helm.

 

[ulukinatme]

If he fails it'll be because of Patterson, who is a terrible human being and worse executive.

I LOVE Shaka Smart and I really hope he's empowered to do well.

Yeah, Patterson is pretty bad, he's not a big fan on ShaggyBevo They've been wanting Barnes axed for some time, although not as long as they were waiting Mack to get axed.