MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Shaka Smart has already done a lot to lift spirits on the campus of Marquette University. Smart cited six great years at Texas, which depends on how great should be classified (109-86 record, with the aforementioned zero NCAA Tournament wins). "The milkshake tasted extra well," Smart confirmed. After six seasons at Texas, with three NCAA Tournament bids (no wins) and an NIT title, Shaka Smart has left the Longhorns to become the new coach at Marquette. So far, there have been 15 road or neutral court victories in the two seasons under Smart and there have been milkshakes at all of them, though at Seton Hall this season there was a late delivery while the team was on the bus waiting to head to the airport. "It's not a commentary of anything that happened before," Smart said. Watch: NBA Great Shawn Kemp Sells Sleek Custom Home in Seattle. Shaka and his wife Maya arrived in Milwaukee Sunday, and the coach said he is ready to get to work. Winning on the road in the Big 12 is hard. Built in 2006 and spanning 6,584 square feet, the home features six bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. "I think the fact that basketball is so incredibly central and important to the university, that's a big part of it," Smart said. He is currently in his sixth season as head coach at Texas and is responsible for recruiting freshmen ranked among the top 100 players nationally, according to Texas Sports. Former player and now radio host of the Homer and Tony on ESPN Milwaukee, Smith said Smart's hire is a significant moment as a high number of African American kids play college ball. "Let's face it, in these two leagues, you can't really duck anyone. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. MILWAUKEE Shaka Smart is a couple of weeks into his new role as Marquette's men's basketball coach. Marquette . Here's how Smart has felt at home, and built a Big East contender, in his first season at Marquette. "In fact, when we got here to Marquette, the vast majority of the players weren't even on campus. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. Her work has appeared on Yahoo, New York Post, and SFGATE. His challenge is getting Marquette back to national relevance. Carson Strong: Pro comparison| Heisman| Injury| 40 time, Hilary Knight: Hockey| Net Worth| Salary| Age| Tate. Shaka Smart's Golden Eagles have performed beyond expectations, moving into the nation's top 25 after a hot streak in January. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "I grew up about an hour from here," Smart said Monday at his introductory news conference, three days after taking the Marquette job. Anyone coming in here is gonna know we're gonna first and foremost work on your development as a person and by the way, that's closely tied to your development as a player.". So we would get these milkshakes. Marquette savors the sweet taste of road victories with milkshakes. Tired of seeing banner ads on Urban Milwaukee? "I'm so grateful for all coach Smart did for Texas basketball, our university community and our athletics department," Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement released over the weekend. According to a report on SBNation, in January a positive COVID-19 diagnosis hindered Smarts progress, the team losing to the Oklahoma Sooners. He couldnt replicate that success at Texas. Feb 7., 2022 Shaka Smart, head coach of the Marquette University men's basketball program, and his wife, Maya, have made a major gift to help Black students at Marquette cover emergency expenses. Smarts half-brother, JM Tyree, is an author and professor. (Ebony Cox/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) Shaka Dingani Smart (born April 8, 1977) is an American men's college basketball coach. @MarquetteU officially welcomes @CoachShakaSmart to Milwaukee. The MU team headed to Gordon's Milkshake Bar, which had already been decked out with MU gear. The custom-built abode is available for $6.5 million. "I was committed to Coach Smart. Now 43, the new Golden Eagles head coach said his new job is much more . "This is a basketball-crazy place, this is a basketball-centric athletic department. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Everyone's gotta come to you. Ten years later, he makes history at Marquette, becoming the programs first Black head coach. The contract guaranteed Shaka Smart a salary of about $7.5 million over two years. "I've enjoyed our time together really appreciate the passion he has for his team and student-athletes, and I learned a great deal from him during our many conversations.". Coach Shaka Smart and President Lovell talk about their core values, vision for Marquette and Milwaukee, and looking forward to having the Fiserv Forum full again this year. He cited Marquette's family atmosphere and the shared vision among the school's hierarchy as other factors in his decision. He discussed his childhood memories watching games that featured former Marquette coach Al McGuire on the broadcast crew. Smart said his short-term goal was establishing the right culture. I belong to a place situated at the head of The India, The City of temples, the city of love and passion, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir. But the reason I came back is Marquette. Fast forward to some point when I was at Texas, at some point along the way we got the idea that, hey, if we win, we're going to get milkshakes. Lori Nickel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Marquette pulled off an upset of No. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Bill Scholl, left, Marquette vice president and director of athletics, gives Shaka Smart a jersey Monday, March 29, 2021, at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee. 1 hater.' The Madison native said he grew up hearing legends about Marquettes championship triumph in McGuires final game as coach. pic.twitter . Shaka debuted this new "Lost in the Fight" tee for a practice at Fiserv Forum. Lewis has since blossomed into an all-Big East-caliber player, who's averaging 16.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, both of which lead the game. "I think for anyone who got a job this past spring, it was to be determined because there was so much up in the air with Covid," Smart told Katz on the podcast. Andy Wittry has written for Stadium, SI.com, Sporting News, the Indianapolis Star, Louisville Courier-Journal and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. They were home doing school virtually, so I had to go fly and visit them, sit down with their parents and find out if they were even going to come back. As Smart has become part of the Marquette family and Milwaukee community, the Madison, Wisc., native is now also closer to his actual family, another benefit of his current job. All Rights Reserved. Lance Allan of TMJ4 Sports: "Trying to figure out this roster, or trying to figure out where to live, get a house, learn Milwaukee, all that good fun stuff? February 16, 2023, . It's been a whirlwind, so what's been his greatest challenge? The city most recently assessed the property at $1.12 million. "I think the double round robin is a big similarity," Smart said, when asked about the Big East versus the Big 12. Smart became a household name in 2011, when he led Virginia Commonwealth on a Cinderella run from the First Four to the Final Four as an 11-seed in the NCAA Tournament. he Marquette women's basketball team earned its highest-ranked win in program history Saturday afternoon as it took down #3 Texas 68-61 in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis. Here are three matchups you will need to keep your eye on this week, highlighted by a big rematch between Pittsburgh and Louisville. That's why I'm here.". He was pursued by the school in 2014 but decided to stay at VCU for what wound up being one more year. With a Big 12 Tournament title this year, any heat on Smart in Austin seemed to have cooled before an upset loss to Abilene Christian in the tournament. Marquette University will formally introduce Shaka Smart Monday afternoon as its new head coach for men's basketball. Shaka Smart is married. That's the biggest advantage to me," Smart said. With currently seven returning players under scholarship, as of right now, all 13 spots are taken. Its clear football is the No. "You know, I think any time there's a level of uncertainty, you know, you can look at that a couple of different ways. After upsetting top-seeded Virginia, UMBC basks in 15 minutes of fame as Cinderella of the NCAA But the Golden Eagles aren't far removed from much greater success. Then for us, the majority of the guys did not come back, so we only had three returning players, really had to do a good job finding some guys in the transfer portal and we were fortunate that three of the guys that signed with us at Texas decided to come here.". Oct. 31. 2 Alabama erases 17-point deficit, wins SEC, All in the family: how three generations of Jaquezes have ruled West Coast basketball. 4 out of 5 polos . Buy Dropdown. Read full article. The tradition has evolved during Smart's time as a head coach. Winning on the road in the Big East is hard.". He recalled working at Texas and VCU with Denny Kuiper, who was a consultant on Marquette's 2003 Final Four team. ", Maya Smart says they're happy to shine a light on the needs of students with bright futures who "just need a little help.". and then somebody would make a run. This is why Marquette hired Shaka Smart. At that point, Smart was one of the brightest coaching prospects . Smart posted a 163-56 record in six seasons at VCU, including a Final Four appearance in 2011, before leaving for Texas in 2015. "I think anytime a new coach comes in, you have to build a culture you believe. The Marquette men's basketball team had one thing on its mind after beating Butler on Tuesday in Indianapolis. "First and foremost, you're going to be a leader of young men and I think you have to be a high character to take that position, and Shaka being a hometown guy, Madison native I've heard nothing but good things," said Tony Smith, who is from Wauwatosa and also played for Marquette then went on to the NBA. We respect that you don't want to see ads, so we have a solution - Become a Member. However, Marquette had one key attraction. The profession of his parents is not mentioned anywhere. Credit: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY Sports. This ad will close automatically in 15 seconds. You can kind of you know allow anxiety to creep into that. So, unless he figured hed be fired, why did he make the move? "To be at. The kitchen adjoins a casual dining area and a family room with a fireplace. You have to go to everyone's home floor. He began his coaching career in 1999, as an assistant, while also earning a masters degree at California University of Pennsylvania. Via Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman: Shaka said he had 6 great years at Texas. Russell W. Stamper, II, Marquette will hire Texas Shaka Smart to replace Steve Wojciechowski, Wedding-Focused Event Hall Planned for Vliet Street Near Washington Park, Friday Photos: UWMs New Chemistry Building Topped Off, Trump Recount Attorney Reappointed To Wisconsin Judicial Conduct Committee, Transportation: MCTS Buses Could Again Serve Summerfest, But Issues Remain, Housing Authority Has Waitlist Three Times Larger Than Its Affordable Housing Supply, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Smart said he will spend the next couple weeks meeting with current Marquette players before connecting with the deep roster of alumni anxious for another March Madness run. The three scholarship players who returned from last season were Justin Lewis (7.8 points per game), Greg Elliott (6.2) and Oso Ighodaro (1.2), plus walk-ons Brendan Carney and Michael Kennedy. Monday, Feb. 7, we learned that the first year basketball coach and his wife. That turned up the pressure on Smart, who had two seasons left on a contract paying him more than $3 million per year. It looks like Smart is making a clean break from the state after accepting the position as head coach of Marquette. The university formally introduced Shaka Smart as the new head coach of the men's basketball team on Monday, March 29. But nothing tastes sweeter than those championship shakes.