One Large 12 staff has determined to make a training change at an uncommon time.
The Utah Utes introduced Monday that they’re relieving head basketball coach Craig Smith of his duties. Assistant coach Josh Eilert will likely be taking up because the staff’s interim coach for the remainder of the season.
In a press release saying Smith’s firing, Utah athletic director Mark Harlan stated, “After evaluating our program beneath Craig’s management, I consider a change is required to get us to the place we need to go. The time is now to start that course of, and we are going to encompass our student-athletes, Coach Eilert and the employees with assist as they proceed with their season.”
You’ll be able to learn the complete assertion here.
Smith, 52, had been in cost at Utah since 2021. The choice by the college to fireside him comes as a giant shock, particularly for the reason that Utes are a decent 15-12 this season and not too long ago received a giant win over No. 17-ranked Kansas on Feb. 15. There are at the moment solely 4 video games left within the common season for Utah as nicely.
However Smith, who finishes his Utah tenure with an total document of 65-62 (.512) by no means ended up main the staff to a single NCAA Match berth. The Utes are additionally simply 7-9 in convention play this season, their first within the Large 12, so maybe the athletic division feels {that a} higher-upside coach is required to raised compete of their new convention.
Relating to potential replacements for Smith, it’s value noting that one former NBA guard who’s a Utah alum recently went into coaching and is making a strong name for himself there.
