Shaka Smart facts for kids
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Smart in 2021
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| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Marquette |
| Conference | Big East |
| Record | 98–41 (.705) |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | April 8, 1977 Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1995–1999 | Kenyon |
| Position(s) | Point guard |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1999–2001 | California (PA) (assistant) |
| 2003–2006 | Akron (assistant) |
| 2006–2008 | Clemson (assistant) |
| 2008–2009 | Florida (assistant) |
| 2009–2015 | VCU |
| 2015–2021 | Texas |
| 2021–present | Marquette |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 2001–2003 | Dayton (basketball ops.) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 370–183 (.669) |
| Tournaments | 10–12 (NCAA Division I) 5–0 (NIT) 5–0 (CBI) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| NCAA Division I Regional – Final Four (2011) NIT (2019) CBI (2010) CAA tournament (2012) Atlantic 10 tournament (2015) Big 12 tournament (2021) Big East regular season (2023) Big East tournament (2023) |
|
| Awards | |
| AP Coach of the Year (2023) NABC Coach of the Year (2023) Henry Iba Award (2023) Big East Coach of the Year (2023) |
|
Shaka Dingani Smart, born on April 8, 1977, is a well-known American college basketball coach. He used to play college basketball himself. Currently, he is the head coach for the men's basketball team at Marquette University.
Smart became famous in 2011. He led Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to the Final Four in the NCAA tournament. This was the first time VCU had ever reached the Final Four.
Contents
Early Life and Playing Career
Shaka Smart was born in Madison, Wisconsin. He grew up in Fitchburg and went to Oregon High School.
High School Basketball
In high school, Smart played for the Oregon Panthers basketball team. He was a starter for three years as a point guard. He set school records for assists in a game (20), a season (291), and his whole career (458). In his senior year, he was named to the All-Badger Conference second team.
College Basketball
After high school, Smart attended Kenyon College in Ohio. He played basketball for the Kenyon Lords for four years. He set new school records for assists in a season (184) and in his career (542). As a senior, he was named to the All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) team. He was also named NCAC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Smart graduated with honors, earning a degree in history.
After college, Smart received a special scholarship from the NCAA. He then earned a master's degree in social science from California University of Pennsylvania.
Coaching Career
Shaka Smart's coaching journey began in 1999. He started as an assistant coach at California University of Pennsylvania. Later, he worked as the director of basketball operations at the University of Dayton. He also held assistant coaching jobs at the University of Akron, Clemson University, and the University of Florida.
Coaching VCU
In 2009, Smart became the head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He was one of the youngest head coaches in NCAA Division I basketball at that time. In his first season, he led the VCU Rams to a 27–10 record. They won the CBI Championship.
In Smart's second season, VCU received a special invitation to the 2011 NCAA tournament. They had to play in the "First Four" round. VCU won that game and then surprised many by beating stronger teams like Georgetown and Purdue. This led them to the Sweet 16 for the first time ever.
VCU continued their amazing run. They beat Florida State in overtime to reach the Elite Eight. Then, they upset the top-seeded University of Kansas. This victory sent VCU to the Final Four. They eventually lost to Butler in the semifinal game.
Coaching Texas
In 2015, Smart became the head coach for the University of Texas men's basketball team. In his first season, he led the Longhorns to a 20–13 record. They earned a spot in the NCAA tournament.
In the 2018–19 season, Smart led Texas to a 21–16 record. They won the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship. This was the school's first NIT title since 1978.
Smart led the Longhorns back to the NCAA tournament in 2021. They had a 19–8 record and won the Big 12 conference championship. Texas was given the No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. However, they were defeated in the first round by Abilene Christian University. Smart left Texas in March 2021.
Coaching Marquette
Marquette University hired Smart in March 2021 to be their new head coach. In his first season, he led the Golden Eagles to a 19–13 record. They played in the NCAA tournament but lost in the first round.
In his second season at Marquette, Smart led the Golden Eagles to a great year. They won the Big East regular season title and the Big East tournament championship. Many people had expected them to finish much lower in the conference. At the end of the 2022–23 season, Smart won the Henry Iba Award. This award recognizes him as the national coach of the year.
Coaching Style
At VCU, Smart's teams used a fast-paced, high-pressure style of play called "havoc." This style focused on attacking the basket on offense. On defense, they used a lot of full court pressure, double teams, and traps. The goal was to force opponents to make mistakes and turn the ball over. At Texas, Smart used this style less often.
Smart is also known for being good at building relationships. He helps his teams feel like a strong, united group.
Personal Life
Shaka Smart's first name, Shaka, comes from a famous Zulu king. His middle name, Dingani, is a Ndebele word meaning "one who is searching."
Smart is married to Maya Payne Smart. She is an author and a professor at Marquette University. They have one child together. Smart also has six siblings.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Final Four appearances by coach
