Multiple Reports Have SMU Close to Decision on Coach

Lots of smoke, but no official confirmation on Rob Lanier's repalcement

USC Trojans head coach Andy Enfield reacts to a referee's call. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

DALLAS – SMU may have already identified its next men’s basketball coach.

According to an ESPN report, SMU is targeting USC coach Andy Enfield to lead the Mustangs into the ACC next season. The report said a deal isn’t expected to be finalized soon but that Enfield is the school’s only target.

Similar reports came out at allHogs.com a couple of days ago identifying Enfield as the target also, thus giving Arkansas fans relief Musselman was no longer a possibility. Officials at SMU were contacted by both allHogs and allPonies earlier this week, but have yet to confirm Enfield has officially been hired.

The Mustangs finished this past season 20-13 in Rob Lanier’s second season, doubling last season's win total and finishing higher than predicted in the AAC preseason poll, but lost in the first round of the AAC championship and NIT. Lanier was fired less than 24 hours after the Mustangs’ season ended, but quickly landed at Rice as head coach of the Owls.

Enfield has coached at USC for 11 seasons, going 261-175 with five NCAA Tournament appearances. The Trojans finished 15-18 this season, but had made three-straight NCAA Tournaments prior.

SMU will join the ACC next season, which features elite programs such as Duke, North Carolina and NC State. The Mustangs will need a coach who can build a competitive team quickly in the new conference and get a head start on a transfer portal that has become rich with talent over the past week, and it appears they have at least identified who that coach is.