Travis Mays, who as an associate women's coach helped Texas to consecutive Elite Eights, is the new women's coach at SMU.
The school announced the hire Thursday and has scheduled a press conference for Friday. In a brief phone interview, Mays cited several factors in taking the SMU job.
"There are so many," Mays said. "Academically, it is appealing to any student athlete in the family...Second, we're in Dallas, the Metroplex which is loaded with women's's basketball talent. Being in the state of Texas alone makes it attractive."
He said he plans to meet with the SMU players upon arriving in Dallas on Friday.