Shaka Smart

Shaka Smart’s distinguished coaching career began after earning his master’s degree in social science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2001. A magna cum laude graduate of Kenyon College in 1999, where he was a four-year starter and three-year captain, Smart set school records for single-season (184) and career (542) assists, earning All-North Coast Conference honors and NCAC Scholar Athlete of the Year. He held assistant coaching roles at California University (Pa.) from 1999 to 2001, the University of Dayton, Akron, Clemson, and Florida, before being appointed head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2009. In 2015, Smart transitioned to the University of Texas as head coach for their men’s basketball program. Over his six years with the Longhorns, Smart continued to elevate the program, culminating in a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Championship title in 2019, further solidifying his reputation for program transformation and competitive success. Smart took over as head coach for Marquette University in 2021, quickly ushering in a new era of success. During the 2022-23 season, he guided Marquette to its first BIG EAST Conference regular season and tournament titles, achieving a program-record 29 wins. For his exceptional leadership, Smart earned multiple national coach of the year honors, including the prestigious AP Coach of the Year, NABC Coach of the Year, and the Henry Iba Award, all in 2023.