Tubby Smith's son lands Loyola (Md.) job
Loyola (Md.) replaced Jimmy Patsos with one of his assistants on Friday, naming assistant G.G. Smith to fill the head-coaching vacancy left when Patsos departed after the season for Siena.
Smith, 36, the son of Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith, served on Patsos' staff for six years and helped lead the Greyhounds from a one-win team to an NCAA Tournament berth in 2012, their first appearance in the Big Dance since 1994.
"G.G. is the right person to lead our men's basketball program as Loyola transitions to the Patriot League next season," athletic director Jim Paquette in a statement. "His knowledge of basketball, care for our student-athletes and desire to develop them as leaders has been evident in his time at Loyola, and we are excited that G.G. will build on the success Loyola basketball has achieved in recent years."
Loyola finished 23-12 overall and 12-6 in its final season in the MAAC before moving to the Patriot League next season, which will be Smith's first as a head coach.
"It is an honor to be asked to continue building on what Loyola men's basketball has accomplished," Smith said. "Loyola is a wonderful school that has been a great home for the last six years, and I look forward to leading the program going forward."
Smith was a three-year starter at Georgia and served as a graduate assistant on Tubby Smith's staff at Kentucky for two years before moving on to Tennessee Tech and Division II Armstrong Atlantic State University.
