[ShekiruBoomParticipant]

hes decided to sign at VCU until 2013 at 1.5 million a year and turned down UCLA apparently. Just seems like a bad career decision. One thing to be loyal to a program but who really thinks VCU is going to stay relevant? I think he should have moved a rank up in the programs like going to UCLA and being loyal there. Not gonna hate on the guy for staying loyal to his school but just think that is a bad career decision

[jjbutler73Participant]

This is 2013. And UCLA would be career suicide for him. He’s not ready for that mess.

[ShekiruBoomParticipant]

meant 2023 but even if its not UCLA i think he should have looked for a school in the next tier

[theprophetParticipant]

what’s shaka’s last name? yeah that was the right decision.

[ShekiruBoomParticipant]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20130327/vcu-shaka-smart/?sct=hp_t2_a2&eref=sihp
thats the source. No matter how much of a mess UCLA is, you can’t tell me VCU will have better recruits. Just seems like the next step in a good coach like Smart’s career is to go to a more prestigious school and work with better recruits and don’t forget the raise the big schools would give him

[surveParticipant]

ok, I was asking for the source because you said 2013 and I was sure that wasnt correct. you have since corrected that. on the surface the $1.5 mil seems like chump change for what he would likely get at UCLA but its apparent he is interested in his own legacy and making things better for the program which is why he asked for all the extra concessions for the staff and players. I admire him for that. it aint always about money and its good to see someone who embodies that.

[WolfRobParticipant]

Its a great decision to not leave… He has a secure job! A great secure job, where he is fully paid. At UCLA, he could be out of there within 2-3 years (worst case), why leave?

[surveParticipant]

where is your source? I know he said he wasnt leaving but he has an 8 year deal with VCU that will be restructured….and its going to be more that $1.5 mil. furthermore, UCLA isnt career suicide. his chances of winning a national championship would be greater at UCLA than VCU. He likes the legacy he is building at VCU obviously and they will have to pony up to do right by him. Thats all.

[ShekiruBoomParticipant]

Just preference I guess. If it was me, I would take the high profile job and see what I can do to build my legacy with all the resources a basketball coach could ask for including probably double the annual pay but I guess some would be content with making the occasional run in the tournament with a mid tier program for the next 10 years.

[surveParticipant]

and thats understandable. actually, I thought there was NO WAY he turns down UCLA, but he is a different kind of guy. He is not chasing glory. He wants to do something for that school and for that program. He is building his own legacy, not carrying on someone else’s. He is so young, but years from now, he could be what Dean was to UNC, what K was to Duke, what Boeheim is the Cuse, etc….

He has the potential to do it because he is in acute recruiting range with the Carolinas, DMV, etc. A LOT of players slip through the cracks.

all too often guys uses jobs as stepping stones. lets applaud him for trying to build a program into a power.

[HaleParticipant]

Why would he leave? He should just bide his time until a tempting offer actually comes along.

[ShekiruBoomParticipant]

i was under the impression that not many jobs get better than UCLA. Definitely in top 10 jobs in college basketball no? I guess UNC, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana can be considered better but don’t know about others

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

He should take a better job tho. Seriously, VCU is good for now and i know hes tryna build… but come on

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

Its fine that he wants to stay at VCU but Come on guys…Why would he leave?!?!?! Are you guys kidding??

Most all time titles, Los Angeles Weather and Lifestyle, ability to attract the highest recruits, and access to way more money and facilities are just a few reasons I would want to leave VCU for UCLA…

If he doesn’t leave its because he likes the stability not because its not a tempting offer…

Remember everybody that was saying the UK job wasn’t that great before Calipari took it??? UCLA is a top 5-10 college job hands down…

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

Good decision. He can stay one more year and after Wisconsin is bounced early from the tourney again he can return home to coach the Badgers.

[llperez]

I don’t think any more or less of him for staying. If he’s happy and he feels secure(job security and ucla doesn’t exist) then maybe he feels that this is best for him. Coaching in Los Angeles comes with a lot of drama. But now his challenge is keeping vcu relevant. if they don’t keep making noise ala gonzaga, people will stop seeing him as a premier candidate.

[surveParticipant]

I think he can do it. If he is a great judge of talent, there will be a lot of prospects in the DMV area that will fly under the radar and turn out to be good players. Its just going to be recognizing those players. Some coaches arent great just because they get the top recruits….some spot talent in the rough. Case in point…Calhoun with Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier. There are players like this every year….he just has to choose them carefully.

[Author]

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