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Big 12 Basketball: Ranking the 10 head coaches for 2019-20 season

By Joey Loose

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives to the basket against Quentin Grimes #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half of the game on February 23, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Kansas 91-62. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives to the basket against Quentin Grimes #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half of the game on February 23, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Kansas 91-62. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 29: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts as his team plays the Kansas Jayhawks at The Frank Erwin Center on January 29, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 29: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts as his team plays the Kansas Jayhawks at The Frank Erwin Center on January 29, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

8. Shaka Smart (Texas)

There has been steady success and plenty of accomplished players, but Texas remains one of those talented programs without a national championship. This program was a perennial NCAA Tournament team under former coach Rick Barnes, but unfortunately, things have not been going smoothly in recent seasons. Smart was a wise hire after his previous successes, but will the move ever pay off?

Smart racked up the stats playing ball at the D-3 level before starting his collegiate coaching career. He bounced around to schools like Dayton, Akron, and Clemson, while also spending time on Billy Donovan’s staff at Florida. His obvious accomplishment is leading VCU to the Final Four as an 11-seed, part of his six-season stint with the Rams. Impressively, he won at least 26 games in all six seasons at VCU, including a CBI title and five NCAA Tournament appearances.

Known for his havoc defense, Texas hired him in 2015, though the results have been much more mixed than anticipated. After dominating at VCU, his time at Texas has been a struggle, with just two NCAA Tournaments and an NIT title to show for it. The team has finished in the bottom half in the Big 12 in each of the last three seasons, with his total record sitting barely about .500. Bringing recruits and getting them to play his style is something that clearly isn’t working yet for the Longhorns.

Lottery pick Jaxson Hayes is gone but there should still be enough talent for Smart and Texas to take a step forward. Look at it this way; if they don’t make a marked improvement, Texas could be looking for a new head coach very soon. Fortunately, VCU’s success under Smart probably means he won’t be out of a job for very long. Is this a case of a bad fit or is Smart still adjusting to life at Texas?

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