After doubling his win total from year one to year two, Rob Lanier has been fired as the head basketball coach at SMU. Here’s the statement from the school which doesn’t address why Lanier was let go:
SMU Director of Athletics Rick Hart has announced a change in leadership for the Mustang men’s basketball program.
“We want to thank Rob (Lanier) and his staff for their positive contributions to SMU and our men’s basketball program these past two seasons,” said Hart. “They always operated with integrity and in the best interests of the University and our student-athletes. We wish them and their families all the best the future.
“The investments we have made in support of SMU Basketball, combined with membership in the country’s preeminent college basketball conference, the value of an SMU degree, our location in the heart of Dallas, Texas, our championship-caliber facilities, the NIL opportunities available to our student-athletes and SMU’s commitment to comprehensive excellence position us to compete alongside the nation’s best programs. Our focus now turns to finding a new leader as we prepare for the next era of SMU Athletics in the ACC.”
A national search for a replacement will begin immediately.