USF’s successful basketball coach Kyle Smith is headed to Washington State, according to reports Wednesday.
The Spokane Spokesman-Review reported Smith, 49, signed a six-year deal worth $1.4 million annually. He would replace Ernie Kent, who led the Cougars to an 11-21 record in his fifth season before being fired.
Smith went 63-40 in three seasons at USF after leading Columbia University for six years. Smith built his reputation as Randy Bennett’s trusted assistant at Saint Mary’s from 2001-2010 before becoming his mentor’s West Coast Conference rival in San Francisco.
He had three consecutive 20-victory seasons with the Dons — a first for USF since 1980-82.