In a significant development, the University of Utah has announced that Men’s Basketball Head Coach Craig Smith will not return for the upcoming season. Athletic Director Mark Harlan made the announcement Monday, concluding Smith’s four-year tenure with the Runnin’ Utes.
Smith, who assumed leadership of the program in 2021, compiled a 65-62 record, representing a .512 winning percentage. However, the team did not secure an NCAA Tournament appearance during his time at the helm.
The decision follows a 76-72 loss to UCF on Sunday, effectively diminishing the Utes’ postseason aspirations. While the team holds a winning overall record of 15-12, their road performance sits at a concerning 1-7 this season, and a cumulative 9-32 under Smith, which proved to be a critical factor.
Smith’s hiring in 2021 was accompanied by high expectations, with the goal of returning the Utes to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016, a feat he achieved with Utah State from 2018-21. Unfortunately, this vision did not materialize at Utah.
In Monday’s statement, Harlan emphasized the university’s commitment to achieving success in the Big 12 Conference and securing regular NCAA Tournament berths.
“I want to thank Craig for his dedication and effort during his time in Salt Lake City. He led us to notable moments and victories, and he invested deeply in building our current team,” Harlan said. “However, we have higher ambitions for our men’s basketball program, both within the Big 12 and on the national stage, and our expectation is to consistently compete in the NCAA Tournament.”
Harlan also confirmed that a national search for a new head coach is underway, stating, “I am confident that our ongoing search will identify the right leader to restore our program’s national prominence.”
The timing of the announcement is notable, coming shortly after a significant victory against No. 17 Kansas. With four games remaining, including a rivalry matchup at No. 25 BYU to conclude the season, Assistant Coach Josh Eilert has been appointed interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
