VCU's Smart Turns Down Major Offers; Staying Put

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- VCU coach Shaka Smart is staying with the Rams after leading them on a surprising Final Four run.

Team spokesman Scott Day said Monday that Smart has agreed to terms for a new contract at VCU. Day says details of that deal would be released later Monday.

The second-year coach led VCU from one of the "First Four" games in the NCAA tournament to upsets of prominent programs including Purdue and Kansas to reach the Final Four. VCU lost to
Butler in Saturday's national semifinals.

That run had Smart frequently mentioned for other coaching vacancies.

Day said North Carolina State had recently offered Smart the job to replace Sidney Lowe, who resigned in March.

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