Florida assistant Shaka Smart to coach at VCU
Why
Virginia Commonwealth is set to hire Florida assistant Shaka Smart as its new head coach, according to multiple reports. SI.com and CBSSports.com reported Smart will take over for Anthony Grant, who left VCU for Alabama last week. Grant, also a former Florida assistant, led the Rams to two NCAA Tournament appearances in three seasons. Smart, who will turn 32 in April, served under Billy Donovan for one season. Smart also had assistant coaching stints at Clemson and Akron. A Virginia Commonwealth University official says the school has picked Florida assistant coach Shaka Smart to be its new men's basketball coach. The official familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that Smart has not yet signed a contract, but an announcement is planned for Thursday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has yet to be made. The 32-year-old Smart was an assistant to Billy Donovan at Florida last season and will become the second consecutive Donovan assistant to take over the Rams. Anthony Grant, Donovan's right-hand man for 10 years at Florida, spent the last three seasons as VCU's head coach. He was hired last week to coach at Alabama.
Search Terms:
shaka smart,Florida Gators, VCU, Rams
References:
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=533409,http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/2009-03-31-vcu-smart_N.htm,http://ncaatournament.fanhouse.com/2009/03/31/calipari-and-kentucky-pause-the-coaching-carousel/,http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2009/03/31/pittman_schedul.html,http://mrsec.com/story/vcu-hiring-florida-assistant-shaka-smart
