“Lost in the Fight.” It’s one of several philosophies new head coach Shaka Smart is instilling in the Marquette men’s basketball program. It embodies what Smart is all about and trying to build as he enters his first year with the Golden Eagles.
The era began March 29, 2021, the day Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Scholl named Smart the program’s 18th head coach.
March 29 served as a historic day for Marquette University and Marquette Athletics. Smart’s hire marked the start of the first African American men’s basketball head coach in program history.
“I take a lot of responsibility and pride in being the first Black head coach here, especially because this is Doc (Rivers’) school,” Smart said during his introductory press conference.