Stanford is hiring Washington State bench boss Kyle Smith as the program’s new head coach, athletic director Bernard Muir announced Monday.
“The opportunity to serve as the head men’s basketball coach at Stanford is a dream come true. … From my perspective, Stanford has the resources and reputation to attract the ideal student-athlete who is seeking the character development aspects of what our basketball program will offer,” Smith said in a statement. “Stanford has the capacity to provide a place where student-athletes can hone their leadership skills and intellect through hard work and team building. I am thrilled to try to provide that type of culture for an institution that prides itself on excellence in all areas.”
Smith led Washington State to a 25-10 record and the school’s first March Madness appearance since 2008. He won Pac-12 Coach of the Year for his efforts in the regular season, helping the Cougars go 14-6 in conference play.