Shaka’s Timeline
April 2, 2009 – April 2, 2015
Kris Mason
Staff Writer
April 2, 2009
Smart introduced as head coach of VCU
Smart is hired from an assistant coach position at the University of Florida. It was at this press conference he famously said, “we will wreak havoc on our opponents’ psyche and their plan of attack.” The term “Havoc” would come to be synonymous with the program and Smart himself.
November 19, 2009
Smart wins first game
VCU defeats Bethune-Cookman 77-51 in Smart’s first of 163 career wins as Rams head coach.
March 13, 2011
VCU put in NCAA tournament field
There was a lot of debate and controversy about the Rams inclusion in the field from experts who felt that they didn’t deserve an at-large bid. They would be forced to eat their words three weeks later.
March 27, 2011
VCU defeats Kansas, makes 2011 Final Four
Smart takes team to unprecedented heights, making the Final Four. The Rams played in the play-in games and become the first team ever to win five games and go from the First Four to the Final Four.
April 2, 2011
Smart agrees to eight-year contract extension
Smart becomes a hot commodity for vacant coaching positions in the offseason, a trend that would continue for the rest of his tenure. His contract would be reworked and extended multiple times.
March 5, 2012
VCU wins 2012 CAA tournament
No sweating out Selection Sunday this year, as the Rams win the league’s automatic bid to make the Big Dance.
July 1, 2012
VCU joins Atlantic 10 conference
The Rams upgrade to a conference that annually receives multiple bids to NCAA tournament.
January 19, 2013
Smart wins 100th game
VCU defeated Duquesne University 90-63 to reach the milestone victory.
March 27, 2014
VCU suffers heartbreaking loss to Stephen F. Austin
In one of the most heartbreaking losses in the program’s history, JeQuan Lewis fouls Stephen F. Austin’s Desmond Haymon with VCU up 4 with 10 seconds left to play in regulation. Haymon makes the three-pointer and foul shot, sending the game to overtime, where VCU loses 77-75.
January 31, 2015
Briante Weber suffers career-ending knee injury
The face of Havoc, Briante Weber suffers a season-ending injury. Smart and company rally behind the fallen senior.
March 15, 2015
VCU wins 2015 A-10 tournament
After finishing runner-up their first two years in the A-10, the Rams finally finish on top as they win four games in four days in Brooklyn to win the title.
March 19, 2015
VCU falls to Ohio State in first round
The Rams fall to Ohio State in overtime 75-72. It was the Rams’ fifth-straight NCAA appearance, the first time a Virginia team has ever achieved the feat.
April 2, 2015
Smart accepts job at the University of Texas
Smart accepts the deal to become head coach of the University of Texas Longhorns.