Shaka Smart

[the Q]

The argument against Shaka is simple: Rick Barnes has Tennessee as a 3 seed.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Why the hell is there a Shaka Smart thread? He’s not coming here. He’s not even leaving UT. It’s pointless.

 

[Stainmaster]

Why the hell is there a Shaka Smart thread? He’s not coming here. He’s not even leaving UT. It’s pointless.

It’s all completely unverified, but I have heard that Louisville is interested in him.

 

[tzznandrew]

It's very true.
The similarities are eerie - both had very substantial early success. Both then faltered. Both ended up the last two seasons putting a s-----t product on the court, notwithstanding solid recruiting efforts. Bottom line - neither one is a particularly good coach. Ollie is lousy. Smart appears lousy. Don't want another Ollie, and Smart appears to fit that mold, to the T.

Smart transitioned teams and has still made the NCAAT 2/3 years from a much better conference despite injuries. He may end up being "lousy," but that ain't definite yet.

 

[Hoophound]

Pearl hasn't been the coach for Tennessee for a while. Depending on the FBI/NCAA probe, he might not be coaching Auburn for very long.

Ha. Brain fart. Was conflating Auburn and Tennessee. What’s odd is how he went from Tennessee to Auburn. The SEC doesn’t care who you hire. Cheat at one school, just go try again at another within the same conference and no one batts an eye.

 

[Excalibur]

Smart has struggled a bit but I think he's a decent coach. Eventually these schools, and their coaching candidates, will learn that local recruiting ties matter.

 

[NHUConnfan]

After what we've seen at Texas (50-49 over the last three years, 2 NCAA tournaments), would you guys still want him?

Heck yeah I would. Come on, let's be real. Shaka Smart is a great coach. He just made the poor decision to go to a school that is always FB first and was in an area where he doesn't have as strong recruiting roots.

 

[FartMan69]

Heck yeah I would. Come on, let's be real. Shaka Smart is a great coach. He just made the poor decision to go to a school that is always FB first and was in an area where he doesn't have as strong recruiting roots.

He recruits fine. His record stinks. He did a great job at VCU but has underachieved mightily at Texas I don't even think that's debatable.