VCU head basketball coach Shaka Smart turned down an offer to coach Illinois next season and will stay the head coach at VCU according to an article published by Chicago Sun-Times writer Herb Gould. Smart was in high demand as a coach that took the program from Richmond to two consecutive NCAA tournaments, including the 2011 Final Four.
It is also confirmed that Smart turned down quite a sum to stay in Richmond.
Smart, 34, is believed to have turned down an offer of at least $2.5 million a year to succeed Bruce Weber, who was fired after nine years in Champaign.
This news is sure to delight VCU fans that were afraid that Smart would run for the money after this season. It appears that at least for now he is content coaching the Rams.
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