SMU hires ex-USC coach Enfield to replace Lanier

SMU has hired USC's Andy Enfield as its new men's basketball coach, the school announced Monday.

ESPN reported last week that Enfield had become the focus of the Mustangs' coaching search.

"I am so excited to join the SMU family," Enfield said. "It is an incredible time for the university as we enter the ACC. The investments SMU has made in athletics, the support and alignment from leadership -- President Turner, Rick Hart, David Miller and others -- as well as the passion of the SMU fan base and community made this an incredibly attractive opportunity. We will make Mustang fans and the city of Dallas proud and cannot wait to get started."

SMU fired Rob Lanier last month after just two seasons at the helm, including this past campaign when the Mustangs went 20-13. It quickly became clear that athletic director Rick Hart wanted to make a splashy hire with the school entering the ACC this summer.

The school's selling points included its financial resources, facilities and its location in the talent-rich Dallas area.

"We are excited to announce Andy Enfield as Head Men's Basketball Coach at SMU," Hart said in a statement. "Coach Enfield is enthusiastic about joining the Mustang family and the ACC. He has a strong track record of building winning teams on the court and in the classroom and pursuing championships with integrity. We believe he is a game changer for SMU Men's Basketball."

Enfield had been at USC for 11 seasons, leading the Trojans to five NCAA tournament appearances. They went to the Elite Eight in 2021, the furthest the program had advanced since 2001.

He also consistently landed NBA talent in his last several years at USC, with Evan Mobley and Onyeka Okongwu both getting drafted in the top 10 and No. 1 recruit Isaiah Collier playing for the Trojans this past season.

Prior to USC, Enfield was the head coach at Florida Gulf Coast for two seasons. In 2013, he led the Eagles on a stunning Sweet 16 run as a 15-seed, upsetting No. 2 seed Georgetown and No. 7 seed San Diego State -- with his team being dubbed "Dunk City" along the way.