Texas Longhorns Basketball: Three options to replace Shaka Smart

Friday’s shocking news of Shaka Smart moving to Marquette means Texas has a head coaching vacancy. Here are three possible replacements.

Royal Ivey

Royal Ivey is a name who has been brought up as a potential candidate to take over after Shaka Smart. When looking at his resume, you will notice there is no head coaching experience, only assistant jobs within the NBA. However, a former player trying to rejuvenate the program could be an easy selling point for Chris Del Conte.

Ivey is currently with the Brooklyn Nets, the home of Kevin Durant. He also was in Oklahoma City before and after Durant’s infamous move to Golden State. Reportedly, former players are behind the hiring of Ivey and think he could be the best coach for the job.

If or when Ivey does take over, his assistant coaches would have to be some of the best in the country. Not because he will need help on the coaching front, but because of recruiting. Ivey has never been involved in the college game since he left Texas. Learning the ropes in recruiting would take time. Great assistants would expedite that process.