Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Five Coaches worth considering to succeed Roy Williams

By Brendan Carducci

Feb 27, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams looks on from the bench against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams looks on from the bench against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart (C) reacts to a play against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart (C) reacts to a play against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Shaka Smart

This fiery, defense-oriented coach has gained serious attention for most of the major job openings recently. Shaka Smart finally got his job, taking over the Texas Longhorns basketball program following six seasons with the VCU Rams.

Following the departure of Anthony Grant, the VCU Rams hired energetic coach Shaka Smart. From the beginning, Smart’s Rams excelled, winning 27 games in his first season in Richmond.

Smart’s second season with the Rams is still defined by one of the greatest NCAA Tournament runs in college basketball history. After losing in the CAA Tournament Championship, VCU earned an at-large bid into the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Following a victory over USC in the First Four round of the tournament, VCU went on to upset Georgetown, Purdue, and Florida State. That set up an Elite Eight match-up with the 1 seed, Kansas. The Jayhawks ultimately fell victim to the upset bug, dropping the match-up by a score of 71-61. This victory for the Rams made them the first team in history to start in the First Four round and reach the Final Four.

This miraculous journey through the NCAA Tournament proved Shaka Smart knows how to win with limited talent.

Some may knock his struggles to recruit elite talent. Despite this, Smart has never had the resources to recruit like he would at North Carolina, and as stated above, he has proven he can win without elite talent. His “havoc” defense, that constantly pressures opposing offenses, is the key behind his success.

Smart, although not the best candidate for the North Carolina gig, would be a solid hire for the Tar Heels.

Next: Tony Bennett

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