Pacific hires successful Canadian coach Dave Smart

Field Level Media|published: Wed 27th March, 18:55 2024

Mar 9, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kerwin Walton (24) with assistant coach Dave Smart after the game against the Baylor Bears at United Supermarkets Arena. credits: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Pacific hired Dave Smart as the coach to rebuild its program, athletic director Adam Tschuour said Wednesday.

Smart served as an assistant coach at Texas Tech last season but was formerly a highly successful head coach in Canada, going 591-48 and winning 13 national championships in 19 seasons at Carleton University (1999-2015, 2016-19).

Smart, 57, is taking over a program that went 6-26 overall and 0-16 in West Coast Conference play last season. The Tigers lost their last 17 games.

Pacific parted ways with third-year coach Leonard Perry (29-65 record) prior to Pacific getting routed 102-43 by Pepperdine in the first round of the West Coast Conference tournament.

"I am thrilled with the opportunity to lead the Tigers into a new era," Smart said in a news release. "Adam and president (Christopher) Callahan have an ambitious and exciting vision for the program, and I thank them for entrusting me with the task of bringing that vision to life.

"I also want to thank Grant (McCasland) and everyone else at Texas Tech for the opportunity they gave me last season, which was a tremendous experience."

McCasland and Smart helped the Red Raiders go 23-11 in the former's first season as the head coach. Texas Tech lost to North Carolina State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Pacific hasn't reached the NCAA tourney since 2013.

"I could not be more excited than I am now to have Coach Smart join our Tigers family and lead our men's basketball program," Tschuor said in the news release. "He is one of the most respected basketball minds in the world and someone who will not only show his energy and enthusiasm on the sidelines but in the community as well."

—Field Level Media