Kyle Smith hired as new head coach at Washington State

Washington State has found its new head men’s basketball coach in Kyle Smith. The 49-yo Smith has been the head coach at San Francisco for the last three seasons and before that spent six years at the helm at Columbia.

“Coach Smith has a proven record of success, a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for developing every aspect of his student-athletes,” AD Pat Chun said in a statement Wednesday. “The methodology he has created in building basketball programs for sustainable excellence is like none other in the sport.” The announcement also noted that Smith signed a six-year deal worth $1.4 million annually.

Smith is a Texas-native but has spent much of his coaching career out West. In addition to his nine years as a head coach (164-122 overall record), Smith has been an assistant at Saint Mary’s, San Diego and Air Force.

Wazzu parted ways with former head coach Ernie Kent earlier this month and in the midst of an eleven-year NCAA Tournament drought. Smith has yet to take a team to the Big Dance, but has postseason experience as the 2016 CIT Champion and 2018 CBI Runner-up.

h/t to Szeto/USA Today for the photo