Reports: VCU’s Shaka Smart Turns Down Coaching Offer From Illinois

Published: 21^st Mar 12 2:09 pm

by Kris Hughes
Network Manager

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Reports: VCU’s Shaka Smart Turns Down Coaching Offer From Illinois

Bob Donnan- US PRESSWIRE

According to multiple sources, Virginia Commonwealth head coach Shaka Smart has turned down an offer from the University of Illinois to replace departed head coach Bruce Weber.

After leading the Rams to their second-straight NCAA Basketball Tournament, the 34 year-old head coach has decided to stay at VCU for at least the 2012-2013 season.

CBS’ Gary Parrish was one of the first to break the story with this tweet:

I can report that Shaka Smart has turned down Illinois for a final time and will stay at VCU.

March 21, 2012 12:47 pm via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@GaryParrishCBS

Gary Parrish

It was also noted by Parrish that Smart was offered close to $2 million per season by Illinois after many negotiations back and forth between the two parties.

While it is somewhat curious Smart decided to turn down the Illini’s offer at this time, it isn’t necessarily out of character for young coaches who seem committed to building programs at mid-majors that are out of the glare of the media spotlight.

Butler’s Brad Stevens is another young coach, who after two seasons of amazing success with the Bulldogs, was courted by every major program that had an opening or anticipated they may in the near future, and stood his ground in Indianapolis, choosing to continue building a program at a smaller school.

People are sure to call Shaka Smart crazy for turning down this offer from Illinois and not taking what would seem on the surface like the next logical step in his career progression.

What if Shaka Smart is just crazy like a fox instead, and realizes he has a good thing in front of him at VCU?

After all, the devil you know is always less dangerous than the one you don’t.