ESPN just announced Shaka Smart is leaving VCU and going to U. Texas.
He stayed at VCU longer than expected and the job he did for VCU was amazing, but when The Richest University in terms of athletic budget in the country calls it had to be tough to turn down. The chance to win a National Championship can be done at UT with all they have to offer in terms of $$$, conference and high profile recognition.
Ram fans and administration must have known this day would come eventually but it still has to hurt.
The reaction on VCU's board has been riotous. A glance through the reactions shows the overwhelming consensus to be bitterness, frustration...the idea that they have been betrayed by a coach who supposedly would never leave them.
In the end he left them for one thing, money.
For Tribe fans it makes for enjoyable reading.
(04-03-2015 06:34 AM)Big Tribe Wrote: The reaction on VCU's board has been riotous. A glance through the reactions shows the overwhelming consensus to be bitterness, frustration...the idea that they have been betrayed by a coach who supposedly would never leave them.
In the end he left them for one thing, money.
For Tribe fans it makes for enjoyable reading.
I understand the initial bitterness and feelings of betrayal. But, if they take a step back they will see how blessed they were to keep Shaka as long as they did. He took a mid-major to the highest of highs. After the final four run the clock started ticking. They should feel blessed he gave them a couple more years. At the end of the day, though, it is a mid-major school in a mid-major conference. Shaka is a young coach with a family. He'd be a fool to not maximize his income now in his prime. The new hire will be interesting to follow. Will the new coach try to build off "havoc" or have his own direction? Can VCU maintain its current status, or are they doomed for a fall like GMU post Laranega? Some VCU fans are under the delusion that the school will attract the top coaching talent. VCU cannot afford the top and who wants to follow a school legend? You are set up to fail. Their best option is to promote from within the VCU system to maintain continuity and recruiting and then hope lightning strikes again. I suspect that Shaka was a huge reason why kid's bought into VCU and their defensive-reliant system.
What are the names being talked about for the VCU gig? Many VCU fans believe it will be former assistants Mike Jones (Radford) or Rhoades (Rice). Who else might be interested?
(04-03-2015 07:17 AM)mrjoolius Wrote: What are the names being talked about for the VCU gig? Many VCU fans believe it will be former assistants Mike Jones (Radford) or Rhoades (Rice). Who else might be interested?
Besides those 2, I have seen Bobby Hurley and Will Wade (Chattanooga)
Wonder if Jamion Christian will get a look. After leaving the burg he was at VCU for a short stint before the head coaching job at Mount St. Mary's. He'd definitely be an outside shot, but he took MSM to the tourney last year and is a great coach.
The difficulty VCU faces is they want a coach to commit to them the way coaches commit to big time schools. But mid-major schools with a high profile are great stepping stones for a coach on the rise.
Tribal are you able to merge the two Shaka threads? I'm too lazy to keep swapping back and forth.
(04-03-2015 08:17 AM)zablenoise Wrote: Tribal are you able to merge the two Shaka threads? I'm too lazy to keep swapping back and forth.
So let me get this straight... You are too lazy to go between threads, but are fine with Tribal taking on more work to merge a thread. I'm teasing, but it made me chuckle.
(04-03-2015 08:15 AM)tribe_pride Wrote: (04-03-2015 07:17 AM)mrjoolius Wrote: What are the names being talked about for the VCU gig? Many VCU fans believe it will be former assistants Mike Jones (Radford) or Rhoades (Rice). Who else might be interested?
Besides those 2, I have seen Bobby Hurley and Will Wade (Chattanooga)
If long-term coaching at VCU is a determinant, I can't think Hurley is an option. He's a very good recruiter, but this would be his 3rd job in like 5 years. People speak highly of Wade, though I know very little about him. I still think there wisest move is to stay in house with a current or former assistant. Christian may be interested if the money is right, but I believe he is happy at his Alma mater.
I believe both Rhoades & Jones were Shaka's top lieutenants in their time at VCU. IMO, they make more sense. Both are outstanding recruiters, and for VCU to remain high major competitive, they need to maintain the top 150 level recruits Shaka was getting.
(04-03-2015 08:45 AM)mrjoolius Wrote: (04-03-2015 08:17 AM)zablenoise Wrote: Tribal are you able to merge the two Shaka threads? I'm too lazy to keep swapping back and forth.
So let me get this straight... You are too lazy to go between threads, but are fine with Tribal taking on more work to merge a thread. I'm teasing, but it made me chuckle.
FWIW, for mods there is a button that does this for them :).
(04-03-2015 09:12 AM)wml33t Wrote: (04-03-2015 08:45 AM)mrjoolius Wrote: (04-03-2015 08:17 AM)zablenoise Wrote: Tribal are you able to merge the two Shaka threads? I'm too lazy to keep swapping back and forth.
So let me get this straight... You are too lazy to go between threads, but are fine with Tribal taking on more work to merge a thread. I'm teasing, but it made me chuckle.
FWIW, for mods there is a button that does this for them :).
I found the ban button quite easily.
