On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Utah has officially parted ways with head men’s basketball coach Craig Smith, ending his tenure after nearly three seasons. The move, first reported by former ESPN analyst Jeff Goodman, comes as the Utes struggle to stay competitive in the Big 12.
With Smith out, Josh Eilert is a logical choice to take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Smith was hired in 2021 with hopes of reviving Utah’s basketball program, and while there were signs of progress in his first two seasons, the lack of NCAA Tournament appearances proved costly. His teams showed flashes of potential but struggled in crucial moments, failing to capitalize on must-win games. This season, the Utes’ inability to maintain consistency, coupled with sloppy play, further eroded confidence in Smith’s leadership.
Smith was hired at Utah following 3 straight NCAA tournaments at Utah State.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 24, 2025
Just beat Kansas and Kansas State last week.
NIL needs to improve significant at Utah.
Just don’t understand the timing of this one at all. https://t.co/7f6QN65irB
The pressure intensified following Sunday’s disappointing loss to UCF, accelerating the decision to part ways. While the timing may come as a surprise with Utah still in the midst of the Big 12 race, the underlying issues had been evident for some time. Ultimately, Utah’s leadership determined that a change was necessary to set a higher standard for the program.
The Utes will conduct a pivotal coaching search to find a leader who can restore the program to national prominence.
The decision also signals that Utah is serious about investing in basketball success. Details of Smith’s contract buyout remain unclear, but this marks a defining moment for Utah basketball as it looks to take the next step in the Big 12.
More must-reads:
- Commanders' Jayden Daniels expands on prediction for Terry McLaurin contract standoff
- Commanders' Terry McLaurin reportedly wants more money than previously thought
- The 'Active 20-home run MLB seasons' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
With the SEC Expanding to 9 League Games, Here Are Oklahoma's Best Options for Permanent Rivals
What The SEC's Move to Nine Conference Games Means for Georgia
The SEC has announced they will officially be moving to a 9-game conference schedule beginning in the 2026 season, making an already tough Georgia schedule even harder moving forward. The Southeastern conference has remained steadfast that the 8-conference game schedule was plenty tough enough for a conference that had 9 of the 10 toughest schedules in the sport in 2024. However, that stand finally came down on Thursday when the conference announced it'd be moving to nine conference games in 2026. It's what is very clear to be a public debate loss for the conference, as On3's Brett McMurphy states in his original report, it took a "hard push" from commissioner Greg Sankey to move towards the 9-game slate. Here's what it means for Georgia. What a 9-game Slate Means for Georgia More Money It's simple. The only reason SEC decision-makers moved to add another conference game is the fact that they are being enticed by an increased TV revenue deal. Because Georgia vs Arkansas rates considerably higher than Georgia vs Marshall. With Rev Share models coming to collegiate sports, athletic administrations are being forced to make financial decisions. More Great Games If your sole intention is to remain blemish-free through an already Top-10 schedule in the sport, today's news isn't all that great. However, if you love watching the Georgia Bulldogs play big-time football games, they just increased the odds of that even more. From an entertainment standpoint, it's a win-win. 6 and 3 Format There have always been rumors that a move to 9 conference games would create a permanent three-game rotation that allows for staple rivalries to remain intact. For example, South Carolina was removed from Georgia's schedule for the first time since the Gamecocks returned to the SEC in the mid-1980s. There's a potential that Georgia could see annual matchups with Auburn, South Carolina, and, of course, Florida. The fear, however, is that this could threaten the rivalry with Georgia Tech.
Jerry Jones: Micah Parsons' agent told me where we could stick contract details
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants to deal with David Mulugheta insofar as to get Micah Parsons' agent to fill out the paperwork on the contract extension that was already negotiated. During an appearance with Michael Irvin on Thursday, Jones said Mulugheta told him to shove the paperwork up their heinie. "When we wanted to send the details to the agent, The agents told us to stick it up our a--," Jones said. "Just so we're clear. (Parsons) and I talked, and then we were going to send it over to the agent, and we had our agreements on term, amount, guarantees, everything. "We were going to send it over to the agent, and the agent said, 'Don't bother, because we've got all that to negotiate.' Well, I'd already negotiated. I'd already moved off my mark on several areas." Following an incoherent analogy to a child going between a mom and dad to negotiate, Jones accused Mulugheta of trying to "stick his nose" in negotiations to try to get the Cowboys to cave for a better deal for his client. Jones has no plans to back down from the agreement he had already worked out with Parsons. "In my mind, for the Dallas Cowboys, we've got it done," Jones said. "And if the agent wants to finish up the details, which he should, and do all the paperwork, he can do that, and we're ready to go. But as far as the amount of money, the years, the guarantees, all of that we negotiated." Dallas is set to conclude its preseason against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night with no end in sight to the biggest distraction on the team this summer. Jones should have avoided the situation with Parsons by dealing with Mulugheta directly, but that might have caused the theatre to be much less dramatic before the regular season.
Winnipeg Jets Strike Out: Top Remaining NHL Free Agent Joins Central Division Rival
The Jets and any other rival of the Avalanche lost out on Victor Olofsson, as the top remaining NHL free agent has just signed a one-year deal with Colorado. One of the best remaining unrestricted free agents is no longer available. The Colorado Avalanche signed forward Victor Olofsson to a one-year, $1.575 million contract through 2025-26, the team announced Wednesday. PuckPedia reported the agreement Tuesday night. Victor Olofsson entered free agency after a bounce-back season with the Vegas Golden Knights. After six seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, the team that drafted him in the seventh round in 2014, the Swedish winger signed a one-year, $1.075 million contract with Vegas this past summer. That followed a difficult 2023-24 campaign in Buffalo, where he posted just 15 points in 51 games. In Vegas, the 30-year-old regained some of his scoring touch. Although he was limited to 56 games due to injuries, he netted 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points. Not quite the 40-point pace he was in his prime with the Sabres, but Olofsson proved he could be a reliable depth scorer for a playoff team. He registered four points in nine playoff games before the Golden Knights were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round. Olofsson has 105 goals and 106 assists for 211 points in 370 NHL career games. Last spring was his first taste of playoff action. Olofsson could be the key for the Avalanche to win the Central Division Now, Olofsson becomes a part of a Colorado team that is seeking a return to Central Division supremacy after being defeated by the Dallas Stars in last season's semifinals. This could pose a problem for the Winnipeg Jets, as their direct rivals have just gotten better up front. With stars such as Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and the now-returning Gabriel Landeskog around him, he'll get the chance to find a significant role on a contender. For Olofsson, the Avalanche provides a clean slate and an opportunity to demonstrate that there is still much more to give. If all goes well, Colorado will be giving their Western Conference foes a real hard time in the upcoming season.
'Look out for this dude': Former NFL exec has warning about unexpected SEC quarterback
10 bold predictions for the 2025 college football season
Expect the unexpected when it comes to college football. Though traditional heavyweights like Ohio State, Michigan and Georgia have recently won national titles, there is hardly a sport that produces weekly drama like college football. It's tough to forecast the unexpected, but here are 10 bold predictions for the 2025-26 season. 1. Alabama misses the College Football Playoff again Games at No. 5 Georgia and No. 13 South Carolina, plus Florida State, Missouri and Auburn, make for a tough road slate. Couple that with a new quarterback in Ty Simpson, and questions abound. A stacked defense could cover up for some offensive growing pains, but how quickly does Simpson settle in? The season will depend on it. By the way, you have to go back to 2006 and 2007 to find the last time Alabama missed a BCS bowl game or the CFP two seasons in a row. 2. Penn State finally breaks through This is the year James Franklin and Penn State defeat Ohio State and win the Big Ten. Drew Allar's return at quarterback for PSU for his senior season is the difference. An experienced quarterback is something neither Ohio State, Oregon or Michigan has. 3. Michigan finishes outside the Top 25 Michigan has the on-field talent (don't miss No. 1 QB prospect Bryce Underwood), but the recent sign-stealing sanctions hang like a cloud over the program. It might subside if Michigan wins, but what if it suffers early-season losses at Oklahoma and/or Nebraska? There could be a snowball effect. 4. A wide receiver will win the Heisman Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter excelled as a wide receiver and defensive back, claiming the 2024 Heisman. Another wide receiver will win this year. How about Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith (76 rec, 1,315 yards, 15 TD in 2024) or Alabama's Ryan Williams (48 rec, 865 yards, 8 TD in 2024)? 5. Three SEC programs fire their coach Last season was unusually quiet on the coaching carousel, especially in the SEC. All 16 coaches return, but several are on varying degrees of the hot seat. Billy Napier (Florida), Sam Pittman (Arkansas), Hugh Freeze (Auburn), Brent Venables (Oklahoma) and Mark Stoops (Kentucky) are all coaches to keep an eye on. None of the five programs listed is expected to finish in the top four of the conference, meaning some will be .500 or worse. 6. Utah wins the Big 12 The Utes are going to bounce back in a wide-open Big 12. Health is the key here as injuries ruined the 2024 campaign. One reason for optimism? New offensive coordinator Jason Beck and incoming quarterback Devon Dampier came from New Mexico, where they engineered the Lobos' best offensive season in eight years. 7. The Group of 6 CFP bid comes from the American Boise State is the favorite to represent the Group of 6 in the CFP, but the American champion will receive the bid this season. Look for as many as five teams to vie for the title. Tulane brought in 20 transfers to bolster its roster, but Navy returns quarterback Blake Horvath (1,353 passing yards, 13 TD, 1,254 rushing yards, 17 TD). It should be an exciting watch. 8. The ACC receives one bid for the CFP The ACC managed to grab two CFP bids last season, but it won't happen again this year. Clemson is the favorite and should be a part of the 12-team field. No. 10 Miami could be in the hunt, but games against No. 6 Notre Dame, No. 15 Florida and at No. 16 SMU pose a threat. Remember, the Canes were left out last season with just two losses. 9. Vanderbilt increases its win total again The Commodores were the surprise story of 2024, going 7-6 after a 2-10 season in 2023. Vandy will win at least eight games this year thanks to 77 percent of its 2024 production returning. Quarterback Diego Pavia (2,293 yards, 20 TD) is the little engine that could. The 'Dores season will be decided between Oct. 4 and Nov. 1 when they play road games at No. 8 Alabama and No. 1 Texas, along with home contests against No. 9 LSU and Missouri. 10. No agreement will be reached to change the CFP format We'll know the answer to this by Dec. 1, as that's the date the CFP committee has set to determine the format for 2026-31. With the Big Ten still throwing out radical ideas, people are upset and it seems no deal is imminent. "We sound like immature children throwing garbage against the wall," one CFP executive recently told CBS Sports.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
