Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte spoke with the Austin American-Statesman on Friday and said Shaka Smart is “our coach.” Smart will now get the opportunity to coach the Longhorns for a sixth season, the same amount of time he was coach at VCU.
“Nothing’s changed. We won five of the last six down the stretch, finished third in the conference. We have a good team coming back. Nothing’s changed on my end,” said Del Conte.
Going into the 2019-2020 season, Smart was already on the hot seat as Texas had only made the NCAA Tournament twice under his tenure. Even when in the tournament, the Longhorns have failed to make it past the first round, losing to Northern Iowa in 2016 and to Nevada in 2018.
In the middle of February, it looked as if Smart was going to be fired at the end of the season, with Texas struggling in the Big 12. Lucky for him, the Longhorns turned it around, winning five out of their last six games, including victories against Oklahoma and Texas Tech.
Being in position to make the 2020 NCAA Tournament with a Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal win against Texas Tech, nobody will ever know what will happen as the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of now, Smart’s contract has three more years on it, running through the 2022-2023 season. Back in 2015 was he was hired, Smart signed a seven-year, $21.7 million contract.
To keep his job after this season, the Longhorns must at minimum replicate their standing in the Big 12, but more than likely do better. Third place in the conference sounds nice, but going 9-9 and getting third place via tiebreakers does not sound as great.
100% of Texas’ production next season is returning so Smart should pick up right where they left off. Guard play from Matt Coleman, Courtney Ramey, and Andrew Jones were exceptional down the stretch.
Mix in Jase Febres, Gerald Liddell, Jericho Sims, and Kamaka Hepa all returning from injuries and the Longhorns’ outlook look positive for next season.
Smart must now take advantage of it and make (and advance) in the 2021 NCAA Tournament to save his job.
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