BREAKING: Georgia State's Rob Lanier closing in on deal with SMU
SMU is nearing a deal with Georgia State head coach Rob Lanier, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein on Friday. Sources confirmed that Lanier is close to officially becoming the next SMU coach.
Lanier’s Panthers finished 18-11 overall and 9-5 in league play, but punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Sun Belt. The Panthers fell to No. 1 seed Gonzaga in the first round of March Madness, 93-72.
In his second season, Rob Lanier guided the Panthers to a 16-6 record and a third-straight appearance in the Sun Belt Championship Tournament Game. Along the way, he led the Panthers to an opening night, quadruple overtime victory over Georgia Tech, marking the program’s first win over an ACC opponent in school history.
In just his first season he led the Panthers to a 19-win year and postseason eligibility for a seventh-straight season. The 2019-20 season included a seven-game winning streak and winning the 2K Empire Classic Riverside Regional.
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Rob Lanier brings high-major coaching experience
Prior to his arrival at Georgia State, Lanier spent four seasons as associate head coach at Tennessee. The Volunteers finished the 2018-19 season 31-6, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The season included a win over the No. 1 team in the nation and a No. 1 national ranking for the Volunteers.
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Lanier was regarded as a terrific recruiter in Knoxville and Austin, where he served as Rick Barnes’ associate head coach from 2011-15. He also worked for Barnes from 1999-2001. He served on Billy Donovan’s staff at Florida for four seasons.
In addition to boasting four years of head coaching experience at Siena, Rob Lanier also has 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 NCAA Tournament play.
SMU athletic director Rick Hart said when the job opened that the Mustangs expected to attract serious interest in the opening. Tim Jankovich retired earlier this week after the Mustangs finished 24-9 in 2021-22.
“We turn towards the future and are embarking on a national search for our next head coach,” said Hart. “With a rich tradition, passionate and generous supporters, tremendous facilities, a great gameday environment, and a world-class university located in Dallas, Texas, there will be strong interest in this opportunity.”
Lanier’s cousin, Bob Lanier, is enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Bob Lanier led St. Bonaventure to the NCAA Final Four in 1970 before embarking on a 14-year NBA career that included eight All-Star selections.
