Report: SMU Chief Strategist Zach Chu finalizing agreement to be Radford head coach

According to college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein, Zach Chu of SMU is finalizing an agreement to become the next head coach at Radford. Chu also previously worked in the NBA. He had an extensive career in the NBA as an analytics manager and intern with the Pacers and Mavericks. He was the Chief Strategist for the Mustangs this year. Chu also traveled extensively with Nike’s grassroots basketball program, including eight trips.

He’ll be the head coach for the Radford Highlanders at just 32 years old. Chu will replace Darris Nichols, who recently decided to leave the program this offseason to take the head coaching job with the La Salle Explorers. Nichols was with Radford for four seasons. Two of those included losing seasons and this year, Radford finished 20-13 overall. The Highlanders’ last trip to the NCAA Tournament came in 2018, when they were knocked out in the first round of the tourney under Mike Jones.

The SMU Mustangs posted a record of 23-10 overall and 13-7 in the ACC this season, their first year in the league. They had a very balanced scoring effort, with five different players averaging over 10 points per game (Boopie Miller, Chuck Harris, Matt Cross, Kario Oquendo, and Samet Yigitoglu). The Mustangs shot 37.6% from long range this year, and players like Harris (42.1%) and Kario Oquendo (40.5%) led the way.

Boopie Miller carried SMU for much of the year, averaging 13.2 points per game and dishing out 5.5 assists per outing. He delivered time and time again for the team, including a game-winning three-pointer on the road against the Virginia Cavaliers.

It was an impressive year for SMU. Coaches like Chu, Andy Enfield, and the rest of the Mustangs’ coaching staff should be credited for a great year. SMU barely lost to the Clemson Tigers 57-54 in the ACC Quarterfinals. Clearly, the program is trending in a positive direction and on the upswing. Regardless of whether or not they miss the NCAA tournament.