Coach Smart: What's he doing well?

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In the past I have pointed out what I think have been some shortcomings in Coach Smart's performance and how that is reflected in the play of our team.

That said, I wanted to start a positive thread about him and what he is doing well. Here's my list.

1) Adjusting on the fly. I think that the CAA is more rugged than coach Smart (and the rest of our staff) expected, especially in our best conference RPI year in recent memory. I think he's made some good personnel adjustments including getting KP more involved, giving Brandon the starting nod over Jay and working Skeen into the mix.

2) Smart seems to have asserted more control. Larry has stopped shooting the three and there's a "team-first or you don't play" law taking hold.

3) Has dealt with the fans and alumni base in an outgoing manner. Shows charisma and gives insightful, "uncanned" responses to questions.

That's my list. Interested to hear what you have to say.
 
For a first year HC, he doesnt suck. He understands what it takes to continue a winning program at VCU.
 
I think he has been great...has us off to our second best start overall in our history...
People like to forget that they had many of the same issues and concerns with Capel and Grant their first years...many people even said all these things in the first part of every season AG was here for that matter... Let's see how it plays out and evaluate a 1st yr coach in April.
Plus, it is not entirely up to the coaching staff...sometimes no matter how great you are you are still dealing with young men...Roy Williams had some interesting comments as such in the past weeks...
 
JeffC said:
has us off to our second best start overall in our history...

Don't think so. Pretty sure the 77-78 team started 14-1 (24-5 on the year) and the 78-79 team started better as well (20-5, with the controversial 5 second call ODU loss and the NIT loss coming at the very end of the season). Both were coached by Dana Kirk. Dana's last two seasons were incredible - that's why he got the Memphis job. Not sure about our starts in the JD years.

Nevertheless, very happy with Coach Smart. No complaints at all.
 
The other thing to keep in mind is, for the most part, this team is not Coach Smart's recruits. That could be either a plus or a minus. Although his philosophy is similar to Coach Grant's, it's not the same. It's evident some of Coach Grant's players have bought into it and some have not. That's typical for a first year coach. This may be his toughest year coaching this team since they are not his players. He has had his share of "attitudes" to deal with so far this year. How this team performs the rest of the season will tell you a lot about Coach Smart's coaching ability.

Regarding recruiting, I would say that's an area where Coach Smart has earned high marks.
 
VRam said:
JeffC said:
has us off to our second best start overall in our history...

Don't think so. Pretty sure the 77-78 team started 14-1 (24-5 on the year) and the 78-79 team started better as well (20-5, with the controversial 5 second call ODU loss and the NIT loss coming at the very end of the season). Both were coached by Dana Kirk. Dana's last two seasons were incredible - that's why he got the Memphis job. Not sure about our starts in the JD years.

Nevertheless, very happy with Coach Smart. No complaints at all.

The 77-78 team started 12-2.
 
The team and staff have been finding their way together for the most part. I think the individual talent has carried the coaching staff at times and coaching has appropriately directed the individuals to get where we are now. I've been impressed lately and think our team may be finally coming together. The big test is obviously tonight. I've kinda felt all along that W&M came together as a team much earlier in the year than many with regards to honing their style of play. Hopefully we continue to mold ourselves into the team we know we can be...that said Coach better bring all his "Smarts" tonight. I'm sure he and his staff are pretty pumped for this game. Go get em Shaka! Go RAMS!!!
 
xjohnx said:
VRam said:
JeffC said:
has us off to our second best start overall in our history...

Don't think so. Pretty sure the 77-78 team started 14-1 (24-5 on the year) and the 78-79 team started better as well (20-5, with the controversial 5 second call ODU loss and the NIT loss coming at the very end of the season). Both were coached by Dana Kirk. Dana's last two seasons were incredible - that's why he got the Memphis job. Not sure about our starts in the JD years.

Nevertheless, very happy with Coach Smart. No complaints at all.

The 77-78 team started 12-2.

Or 12-1. ;)
 
Scott being the SID and Robbie voice on radio have mentioned several times on air the stat of being the second overall best start in history...so I assume they know their facts... :?

W&M should come together as a team faster...they are mainly seniors...with a jr thrown in...

nor does it appear from outside that they have the issues distracting the team with NBA scouts and talk, ego's, unrealistic expectations, etc...totally different environment and makeup


regardless if it is 2nd or 5th...still is top 5 in our history...that is good...let's give the staff the respect they deserve and sit back and see how they finish...because that is what it is all about and when it counts...how you finish...he wins the CAA tourney and we go NCAA all this will look silly...
 
JeffC said:
Scott being the SID and Robbie voice on radio have mentioned several times on air the stat of being the second overall best start in history...so I assume they know their facts... :?

I think it is the second best start by a first year coach that they are mentioning. Only Grant did better through this many games in his first year.
 
Rambunctious said:
the CAA is more rugged than coach Smart (and the rest of our staff) expected

wow what does that say about the CAA. Coach Smart has coached in the ACC and SEC, Coach Jones like Coach Smart, just came from the SEC. They feel that the CAA is rugged. I guess it goes to show that Coaches from the major conferences still underestimate the CAA.

I bet Coach Smart and crew have a healthy respect for the CAA having seen it everyday.

Coach Smart's best attribute is his intelligence and lack of an ego. He is willing to try anything to win a game which includes listening to his players and coaches. He seems so passionate about winning that it is refreshing and contagious. Plus he has assembled a staff that can coach and recruit with the best in the country. He's to Coach Smart staying at VCU for a long, long time. I'm talking Dave Robbins long :D
 
Well I don't know about Dave Robbins long, but I think we'll get a couple of years from Shaka before he moves on. Probably more than the 3 Grant spent at VCU just due to how young he is. A lot of BCS schools aren't going to hire a coach in his early 30's unless he's absolutely incredible. Smart has been solid, but not incredible as far as results so far this year.
 
Smart might not have to do incredible if Grant does good at Bama and Capel keeps it up at OU Smart might just get a chance because the last two VCU coaches that left did well.
 
that is some of the adjustment for the players as well...AG and staff were very blue collar in your face, especially Tony...in their approach... Smart and this staff is the very opposite...they bring more of a very intellectual, philosophical approach to everything...even down to his quotes of the day, talking about mindset, spirit, etc... that is very different from what they have been used to for 3 years...
 
Mercury said:
Smart might not have to do incredible if Grant does good at Bama and Capel keeps it up at OU Smart might just get a chance because the last two VCU coaches that left did well.

I don't think a BCS school would hire a coach based on what the guys who held his position before he got there did. That's just me though.
 
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