SMU officially hires Georgia State head coach Rob Lanier as replacement for Tim Jankovich

Following reports and speculation to end the week, the SMU Mustangs officially announced the hire of Georgia State head coach Rob Lanier as the new men’s basketball coach on Sunday afternoon. The Mustangs parted ways with Tim Jankovich last week.

“I couldn’t be more honored to lead the program on the Hilltop,” said Lanier. “SMU’s location in the heart of Dallas, Texas, the beautiful campus, stellar academic reputation and overall commitment to excellence make it the perfect fit for me and my family. I’m excited to get to work and to take this program to the next level.”

In his third year at the helm, Lanier’s Panthers finished 18-11 overall and 9-5 in league play. They punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a win in the Sun Belt tournament. They lost against No. 1 seed Gonzaga in the first round of March Madness, 93-72.

Prior to his time at Georgia State, Lanier served as associate head coach at Tennessee and Texas under Rick Barnes. The Volunteers finished the 2018-19 season 31-6, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

In addition to four years as head coach at Siena, Lanier also coached in the Big 12, SEC, ACC, Big East, Atlantic 10 and MAAC. He has worked on the bench for 11 teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, including Billy Donovan’s Florida teams.

SMU AD Rick Hart on new hire Rob Lanier

Following the departure of Tim Jankovich, Rick Hart, in his 10th year as SMU’s AD, needed to make a hire that can push the Mustangs over the hump. SMU hasn’t made an NCAA tournament appearance since 2017 and expectations are high.

“We are excited to welcome Rob Lanier and his family to Dallas as the Head Basketball Coach at SMU,” Hart wrote in the announcement. “Rob is an excellent coach and has been mentored by some of the game’s best in Rick Barnes and Billy Donovan.

“He and his staff will build upon the success our program has experienced under Coach Brown and Coach Jankovich. As importantly, his character, integrity, and commitment to developing our student-athletes as both players and people align with our mission of Shaping Champions. Our conversations with individuals in the basketball community only reinforced our belief that Rob Lanier is the right leader for SMU basketball.”

Rick Barnes comments on new SMU hire

Among a bevy of personalities who weighed in on SMU’s hiring of Rob Lanier was his former boss, Rick Barnes. The Tennessee head coach, who just received an extension, touted Lanier’s ties in Texas.

“I don’t believe SMU could have found a better fit for its basketball program. Rob is the total package – a proven leader who builds powerful relationships and connects incredibly well with people. The relationships and reputation he’s built throughout Texas – and truly, throughout the country – make this an extraordinary hire for the Mustangs. He was an integral part of what we built years ago in Austin. I’m confident there are great things in store on the hardwood in Dallas.”