The Texas Longhorns hired Virginia Commonwealth head coach Shaka Smart on Friday to replace the recently fired Rick Barnes. Smart had a nice run of success coaching the Rams, leading them to the NCAA tournament for five straight years, including a Final Four in 2011.
Smart has been pursued by numerous power conference schools for a number of years now, but turned down each offer to return to VCU. Texas' opportunity, however, seemed to big to pass up.
Smart was 163-56 in his six seasons in Richmond.
The VCU job, however, should command some strong candidates of its own. Once an after-thought on the college basketball landscape, it's been transformed into a mid-major powerhouse thanks to solid program-building by Smart (and Anthony Grant before him).
Here are three candidates that might be mentioned to connection to the Rams gig.
Mike Rhoades
Rhoades was an assistant under Smart at VCU, before leaving for the Rice Owls in Houston. Would picking up where his mentor left off appeal to him? Or does he want to forge his own path?
Bobby Hurley
Hurley's done wonders at Buffalo in just a few short seasons, but he's probably going to go the same route Smart jut exhibited -- patiently rebuffing offers until he finds the exact right one for his liking.
Jason Williford
A top assistant on Tony Bennett's UVA staff who many think is ready for a head job. He's a Richmond native, so he has personal as well as professional ties to the DMV area.
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