Coaching Carousel: Kyle Smith to be named head coach at San Francisco

Sources:Colombia Head Coach Kyle Smith expected be named the next basketball coach at USF. An announcement could come as soon as Thursday

— Dennis O'Donnell (@KPIXSPORTS) March 29, 2016

Kyle Smith is set to coach Columbia in the CIT finals tonight against UC Irvine and seems no matter the result he may be hitching a ride back to the west coast with the Anteaters. According to Dennis O'Donnell of KPIX Sports, Smith will become the next head coach of the San Francisco Dons.

Smith has gone 94-79 in his six seasons at the helm for the Lions.  He's lead Columbia to two CIT appearances over his tenure and has finished no higher than third in the Ivy League.

Before taking over in New York City in 2010, Smith 2001 to 2010 as an assistant at St. Mary's.  He was also an assistant at Air Force and San Diego prior to his stint with the Gaels. The 46-year-old head coach will bring plenty of WCC knowledge to the Dons.

Smith replaces Rex Walters, who was 126-125 in eight seasons at San Francisco.  He led the Dons to three postseason appearances but never made the NCAA Tournament.

Smith is the third head coach to join the WCC after Mark Few's rant about better coaching and competition in the conference. Herb Sendek was named the head coach at Santa Clara earlier this week and Damon Stoudamire has taken over at Pacific.  The move leaves three vacancies in the Ivy League at Columbia, Cornell, and Dartmouth.