Utah fires Runnin' Utes head coach Craig Smith before season's end

SALT LAKE CITY — Craig Smith's days as the head coach of the Utah men's basketball team have come to an end, according to the university.

Assistant coach Josh Eilert will serve as the interim coach for the remainder of the season, according to athletic director Mark Harlan.

Smith was informed Monday morning that his tenure as coach was finished after nearly four full seasons with the program. The news comes on the heels of Utah dropping a road game to UCF on Sunday.

"I want to thank Craig for his work and commitment since he arrived in Salt Lake City," Harlan said in a statement. "He has led us to special moments and memorable victories, and Craig has poured his heart into building our current team. However, we have greater aspirations for our men's basketball program, both within the Big 12 Conference and nationally, and our expectation is to regularly compete in the NCAA Tournament.

"After evaluating our program under Craig's leadership, I believe a change is needed to get us to where we want to go. The time is now to begin that process, and we will surround coach Eilert, the staff and our student-athletes with support as they continue with their season."

Harlan said the university will conduct a "national search, which has already begun," to find its next head coach and "take our storied program back to national prominence."

Smith leaves with a 65-62 record as the head coach at Utah and no NCAA Tournament appearances to his name despite getting his former team, Utah State, to the tournament in three consecutive seasons.

The university hired Smith away from Utah State on March 27, 2021, signing him to a six-year, $12.6 million contract. The university will be on the hook for the remainder of his deal, according to the contract signed in 2021.

Jeff Goodman was the first to report the news.

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