Tubby Smith, Shaka Smart in group questioning lack of minority coaches

Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith and new Texas coach Shaka Smart are part of a new group concerned with the lack of minority hires in college basketball.

Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith and new Texas coach Shaka Smart are part of a new group concerned with the lack of minority hires in college basketball, Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press reports.

The two are part of the National Association for Coaching Equity and Development, which is being formed in response to the number of minority coaches dropping from a peak of more than 25% 10 years ago to 22% this season, Krawczynski reports.

Smith, whose previous jobs include stops at Minnesota and Kentucky, said it is important to make sure minority coaches are given proper consideration.

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"There hasn't been a voice for people speaking out and saying, 'Look, what are you all doing administratively? What's this about? Why has this all happened?' And question it," Smith, who won a national title at Kentucky and now coaches at Texas Tech, told The Associated Press.

The new group has surpassed 40 members and will take the place of the Black Coaches Association, whose membership had decreased in recent years.

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