SMU AD Rick Hart comments on dismissing Rob Lanier
SMU athletic director Rick Hart confirmed the reports of the school parting ways with head basketball coach Rob Lanier on Thursday. In a statement, Hart thanked Lanier for his efforts in leading the program.
“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 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.”
With Moody Coliseum and the Crum Basketball Center, SMU has impressive facilities in place for the program. On top of a war chest of money directed towards athletics as the school transitions into the ACC, Hart is eyeing someone to lead SMU to the top.
“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.”
A national search for a replacement will begin immediately with Hart among those involved in the search committee.
Lanier, who the school hired away from Georgia State in March 2022, went 30-35 overall at SMU and 16-20 in American Athletic Conference play. Lanier had the Mustangs on a promising track at one point in the 2023-24 season, but the team cratered down the stretch, losing six of its last seven contests.
