With a mismatched, underperforming roster, the Houston Rockets will search far and wide for the right man for their head coaching job, even if he has to come from the ranks of college basketball.
According to a report by Marc Stein of ESPN on Wednesday, the Rockets have interest in both Shaka Smart of Texas and Bill Self of Kansas.
Can't speak to the NBA aspirations of either one, but sources say two college coaches who intrigue the Rockets are Shaka Smart and Bill Self
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 5, 2016
Smart, 39, went 20-13 in his first year coaching the Longhorns last season, leading them to a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Prior to that, he enjoyed a successful five-year run with Virginia Commonwealth, putting the small mid-major school on the map over that span, including a memorable Cinderella run into the Final Four in 2011. The Rockets could benefit from Smart’s famously manic, up-tempo style of play.
The 53-year-old Self, meanwhile, has become synonymous with Kansas basketball in the 21st century, having just completed his 13th season at the helm of the Big 12 powerhouse. A two-time National Coach of the Year, Self has guided the Jayhawks to six appearances in the Elite Eight, including a national championship in 2008. With a career record of 592-188 (.759), Self is a more conservative, methodical head coach that could help instill a sense of discipline in Houston.
Nevertheless, college basketball and NBA basketball often seem like two entirely different sports, and there is no indication that either Smart or Self is intent on a leap to the Association. With the Rockets also said to be targeting the likes of Vinny Del Negro and Kenny Smith, at least they’re thinking outside the box and casting a wide net in their pursuit of the best possible candidate for the gig.
