Utah Fires Men's Basketball Coach Craig Smith After Four Seasons

The decision follows a mixed season and ongoing struggles to meet NCAA Tournament expectations in the Big 12 Conference.

Craig Smith, hired in 2021, was dismissed after compiling a 65-62 record over nearly four seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance.
The Utes are 15-12 overall this season and 7-9 in their first year in the Big 12, with recent wins against Kansas and Kansas State but a loss to UCF on Sunday.
Assistant coach Josh Eilert has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season as Utah begins a national search for Smith's replacement.
Athletic director Mark Harlan cited the need for the program to achieve greater national success and consistently compete in the NCAA Tournament as reasons for the change.
Utah's basketball program has struggled to reclaim its former prominence, having last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2016 and historically excelling under late coach Rick Majerus.