Report: Shaka Smart staying at VCU By Sports Network

RICHMOND, Va. -- Shaka Smart has reportedly decided to remain the men's head basketball coach at Virginia Commonwealth.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Monday that Smart agreed to a new deal after guiding the Rams to a historic run through the NCAA Tournament in his second year at the helm.

North Carolina State reportedly offered the 33-year-old its vacant head coaching position.

VCU was widely criticized for its inclusion in the field of 68, but Smart led the No. 11-seeded Rams on an amazing journey from the First Four to the Final Four, which included a stunning win over top-seeded Kansas in the regional final. The Rams lost to Butler in Saturday's national semifinals to finish the season with a 28-12 record.

No VCU team had ever won more than one game in the NCAA Tournament prior to this season.

In his first season on the job, Smart led the Rams to a mark of 27-9.