Shaka Smart
Full Name
Shaka Dingani Smart
Date of Birth
April 8, 1977
Place of Birth
Date of Death
Not available
Place of Death
Not available
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in History from Kenyon College, where he was a four-year starter for the basketball team
- Master’s degree in Social Science from California University of Pennsylvania
Spouses Names
Children Names
Parents Names
- Father: Not available
- Mother: Monica King
Known Affiliates Names
- Anthony Grant (Mentor)
- Oliver Purnell (Mentor)
Affiliated Organizations’ Names
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) (Former Head Coach)
- University of Texas at Austin (Former Head Coach)
- Marquette University (Current Head Coach)
Shaka Smart is an American college basketball coach currently serving as the head coach for the Marquette University men’s basketball team. Smart gained national attention and acclaim during his tenure as head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he led the team to a remarkable run in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, reaching the Final Four as an 11th seed, a feat that significantly raised his profile in the coaching world.Before his success at VCU, Smart served as an assistant coach at various institutions, including the University of Akron, Clemson University, and the University of Florida, under coaches such as Oliver Purnell and Billy Donovan. His coaching philosophy, often characterized by an aggressive defensive style known as “Havoc,” has been praised for its intensity and effectiveness.In 2015, Smart became the head coach at the University of Texas at Austin, where he led the Longhorns until 2021 before taking the head coaching position at Marquette University. Throughout his coaching career, Smart has been recognized for his leadership, strategic acumen, and the development of his players both on and off the court.Smart’s commitment to academic excellence and personal development for his players is also well noted, emphasizing the importance of education and