With Runnin ‘Utes’ less than two months away from the start of the 2021-22 season, new discussions have begun around the program to hire Craig Smith as head coach in March.
Earlier this month, college basketball reporter Andy Katz released a list of the “most effective” coaching replacements in 12 offices, and Smith came in at No. 8 who saw some big moves.
“Smith had the state of Utah as a consistent winner in the Mountain West. Once Utah decided to split with Larry Kristkovic, there was a call to be made – to Smith, “Katz wrote. “He should keep UTS in the top half of the Pack-12 and post-season contenders. This was one of the most sensible fare during the cycle. He knows the landscape and he should bloom. ”
Topping Katz’s list included another coach who stayed in the same state but moved the school, Chris Beard, who moved from Texas Tech to Texas.
The complete list is as follows.
Chris Beard, Texas.
Hubert Davis, North Carolina.
Porter Moser, Oklahoma.
Mike Woodson, Indiana.
Shaka Smart, Market.
Tommy Lloyd, A Rizona.
Richard Pitino, New Mexico
Craig Smith, Utah.
Kim English, George Mason.
Faster Claxton, Hofstra.
Tim Miles, San Jose State.
Kevin Kruger, UNLV.
