Rob Lanier fired after just two seasons as SMU head coach

Rob Lanier has been fired after just two seasons as the head coach at SMU, the school announced on Thursday. The Mustangs were eliminated from the NIT on Wednesday following a 20-win season that marked a 10-win improvement from Lanier’s first season.

“We want to thank Rob (Lanier) and his staff for their positive contributions to SMU and our men’s basketball program these past two seasons,” said AD Rick Hart. “They always operated with integrity and in the best interests of the University and our student-athletes. We wish them and their families all the best the future. The investments we have made in support of SMU Basketball, combined with membership in the country’s preeminent college basketball conference, the value of an SMU degree, our location in the heart of Dallas, Texas, our championship-caliber facilities, the NIL opportunities available to our student-athletes and SMU’s commitment to comprehensive excellence position us to compete alongside the nation’s best programs. Our focus now turns to finding a new leader as we prepare for the next era of SMU Athletics in the ACC.”

SMU is one of three programs moving to the ACC starting next season (2024-25) after spending the last eleven years in the AAC. The Mustangs last played in the NCAA Tournament in 2017, when they won 30 games and were AAC Champions.

credit to SMU Athletics for the image