Smart to texas official

[douggie]

Good hire Horns. And good luck to Texas in the future. Maybe you guys can thump Kansas off the perch now.

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

I still people are being a little harsh on Barnes.
I think he was resounding success all things considered.
He built a foundation and expectation that was never there before he arrived.

Texas is a football school at its heart.
Even if the Horns football team is 1-11 record, football is more important.

Barnes was still able to take a football school to 16 of 17 NCAA tourneys, a final four, 2 elite eights, and 6 sweet sixteens. The list of coaches with more sustained success in that 17 years is a very short list.

Heck plenty of so-called basketball schools had more NIT appearances than did texas in the last 17 years.

Now, Smart can take all of the preliminary success of Barnes to the next level. THat seems reasonable.
And I hope Barnes turns Tennessee into a power. He is a good guy and great coach.

 

[TxHeat]

VCU was doing its best to entice Smart to stay. A pep rally was held Thursday at the Siegel Center parking lot. Richmond businesses also were doing their part. A local barbecue spot offered him free brisket and apple fritters.

Austin has some of the best BBQ in the country..that was a major FAIL!!

 

[TxHeat]

Will be interesting to see where both schools are in 5 years. VCU does seem primed for continued success. 3 straight winning coaches, winnable conference, new facilities on the way, commitment to pay good money for a good coach. Texas, endless resources, good recruiting ground, but plays in a far tougher conference, with Kansas...ISU and Oklahoma on the upswing, as with WVU, and then OSU. Will be interesting to see who benefits more.

and Baylor is no slouch these days either.

 

[Smart]

The thing is that Shaka runs a very peculiar defense. There are great players who would be absolutely terrible with the Havoc defense, and there are guys like Briante Weber who literally only had one offer but was great for them.

It makes Texas' recruiting very interesting. They can go after the superstars, but even if they miss, Shaka will find someone gritty who can play his style and will jump at the offer. But, of course, there is the related question, which is whether the Havoc defense can be successful when you are stepping up the average competition so much. I think it can, and I love the Shaka. I've long thought he would be a great pick to succeed Bo (Shaka's from Madison) if they don't want to hire Greg Gard (Bo's top assistant).

 

[Texas Jefe]

Holy s#*! Shaka Smart is one impressive individual.

Watching his intro presser in Austin, dont know what to say but, wow.

 

[TexasExes98]

Wreak Havoc!

Hook 'Em!

 

[GenJac]

Sorry to see this happen. Shaka deserves something better than working for Steve Patterson. Of the schools listed, any would have been better than becoming a Longhorn. Texas just took VCU's heart and soul.