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VCU Says Its Keeping Shaka Smart As Basketball Coach Following Final Four Run

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After leading VCU basketball to an unbelievable run through the 2011 NCAA Tournament, which has resulted in a Final Four berth, head coach Shaka Smart is college basketball's most wanted man. The 33-year-old coaching phenom is sure to have plenty of offers from higher profile programs once VCU's Tournament run ends. But according to VCU athletic director Norwood Teague, Shaka isn't going anywhere, if they can help it:

"We're gonna' keep him," Teague said. "We just have to be proactive about it. [...] We're going to get aggressive, obviously. (School president) Dr. (Michael) Rao and I have talked about it a lot and talked to Shaka that we're not going to talk about this until the season's over."

Smart earned a $350,000 base salary this season, but will take home around $500,000 after his Tournament bonuses. After taking a CAA team to the Final Four in just his second season as head coach, he stands to potentially make a lot more than that next season either at a larger program, or via a new contract from VCU. Either way, Smart will have plenty of options to mull over in the off-season.

More 2011 March Madness resources: Visit our NCAA Tournament hub for up-to-date news and information … updated printable NCAA Tournament bracket.

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