University of Texas Board of Regents agreed Thursday to extend Men’s Basketball coach Shaka Smart‘s contract by one year to a seven-year agreement that runs through the 2022-23 season. Smart will receive a $100,000 pay increase to his base salary, adjusting his total compensation to $3 million for the upcoming 2016-17 season. There also are increases in the contract’s performance-based incentives which will be detailed at a later date.
“Shaka has done a terrific job in all facets of building our basketball program,” said Men’s Athletics Director Mike Perrin. “On the court, despite facing a lot of challenges and adversity in his first year, we showed steady progress and produced a lot of exciting moments. His outstanding recruiting, talented class of newcomers and overall development of our team in the classroom and the community has been exemplary. I’m excited about what Shaka’s accomplished and look forward to seeing him lead our program in the years to come.”
In his first season in Austin, Smart overcame the midseason loss of senior center Cameron Ridley to injury and guided the Longhorns to a 20-13 record (11-7 Big 12 Conference, tie 4th) and the NCAA Tournament First Round. Texas posted four victories against AP Top 10 opponents (84-82 vs. No. 3 North Carolina on Dec. 12 at home; 56-49 at No. 6 West Virginia on Jan. 20; 85-78 vs. No. 10 West Virginia on Feb. 16 at home; 76-63 vs. No. 3 Oklahoma on Feb. 27 at home), setting a school single-season record for most regular-season wins against AP Top 10 foes.
“I’m very appreciative of the support from Chancellor Bill McRaven, President Greg Fenves and Men’s Athletics Director Mike Perrin,” Smart said. “I’m really happy at Texas and am excited about being here for a long time.”
