VCU can be considered a proving ground for talented, young head coaches, and Florida assistant coach Shaka Smart is next in line to draw some attention. Smart replaces Anthony Grant, who left the Rams to become Alabama’s head coach. He arrives in Richmond from Florida, where he has been an assistant coach to Billy Donovan. VCU also looked to Donovan’s staff four years ago when the Rams hired Grant after former Rams coach Jeff Capel left for Oklahoma. The Associated Press reports that Smart enters a promising environment at VCU.
Smart has never been a head coach, but joined Donovan’s staff after two seasons at Clemson. Before that, he worked as an assistant at Akron for three years, Dayton for two and at California of Pennsylvania, where he also earned a masters’ degree in social science.
At VCU, Smart will inherit a team that is expected to have everyone back except for point guard Eric Maynor, who was named an honorable mention AP All-American on Monday. Maynor averaged 22.4 points and this season became the Rams’ career scoring and assists leader.
The returnees should include 6-foot-10 forward Larry Sanders, the CAA’s defensive player of the year and Rams’ No. 2 scorer and top rebounder. Sanders will be a junior next season.
