Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Shaka Smart

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 28, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Shaka Smart made an impact.

Shaka Smart is an American college basketball coach, currently the head coach at Marquette University. Before coaching, Smart was also a college basketball player. He married Maya Payne Smart in 2006 and has a daughter, Zora, born in 2011.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1978: Texas Wins NIT Championship Since 1978

In the 2018–19 season, Smart led Texas to a National Invitation Tournament championship, the school's first since 1978.

1999: Start of Coaching Career

In 1999, Shaka Smart's coaching career began as an assistant coach at California University of Pennsylvania, starting his journey in collegiate basketball coaching.

2008: Campaigns for Barack Obama in Florida

In 2008, Shaka Smart campaigned for Barack Obama in Florida, showcasing his political involvement.

2009: Hired as Head Coach of VCU

In 2009, Shaka Smart was hired as the head coach of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), marking a significant career advancement.

2010: Rams Played in Championship Game

In 2010, Shaka Smart coached the Rams to a 23–11 record and played in their second consecutive Colonial Athletic Association championship game, though they lost to Old Dominion.

2011: VCU Makes Historic Run in NCAA Tournament

In 2011, Shaka Smart led VCU on a remarkable run in the NCAA tournament, upsetting several higher-ranked teams to reach the Final Four, eventually losing to Butler in the semifinal game. Following this success, he signed an eight-year contract extension with VCU.

2011: Leads VCU to Final Four

In 2011, Shaka Smart rose to prominence by leading Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to its first and only Final Four appearance in the NCAA tournament, marking a significant career milestone.

2012: Campaigns for Barack Obama in Virginia

In 2012, Shaka Smart campaigned for Barack Obama in Virginia, continuing his political engagement.

January 2013: Becomes Second-Youngest Coach to Win 100 Games

In January 2013, Shaka Smart achieved a career milestone, becoming the second-youngest coach to win 100 games, marking a significant achievement in his coaching career.

2015: Becomes Head Coach of the University of Texas

In 2015, Shaka Smart became the head coach of the University of Texas men's basketball team, marking a significant transition in his coaching career.

May 2017: Commitment from Mohamed Bamba

In May 2017, Shaka Smart received a commitment from Mohamed Bamba, the second-ranked overall player in the 2017 recruiting class, to play at Texas.

2018: Texas Lost to Nevada in NCAA Tournament

In 2018, Shaka Smart led the Longhorns to a 19–15 record, but the team lost in the first round of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament to the University of Nevada in overtime, marking a setback in the tournament.

2018: Texas Record

In the 2018-19 season, Shaka Smart led Texas to a 21-16 record.

March 2021: Leaves Texas

In March 2021, Shaka Smart ended a three-season absence from the NCAA tournament. The Longhorns were given the No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and were defeated by Abilene Christian University in the first round. Shortly afterwards, Smart left Texas.

March 2021: Hired as Head Coach at Marquette University

In March 2021, Shaka Smart was hired by Marquette University to replace Steve Wojciechowski as the Golden Eagles' head coach, marking a new chapter in his coaching career.