Shaka Smart Supports Patrick Crarey II as Florida A&M Men’s Basketball Coach

Former AP Coach of the Year and current Marquette coach Shaka Smart has come to the defense of Patrick Crarey II, the newly hired men’s basketball coach at Florida A&M University. After the Board of Trustees expressed skepticism about Crarey’s hiring, Smart spoke out in support of his colleague, calling it a “phenomenal hire.”

Smart praised Crarey’s track record as a proven winner and highlighted his ability to build strong relationships with players, improve their skills both on and off the court, and uphold a championship standard. Crarey, who has been a head coach at the college level since 2010, has had successful stints at Washington Adventist and St. Thomas (FL).

During his time at Washington Adventist, Crarey became the team’s all-time winningest coach and led them to a USCAA national title in 2014. At St. Thomas, he continued his success with back-to-back 20-win seasons and appearances in the NAIA National tournament.

Despite Crarey’s impressive resume, the Board of Trustees initially questioned his suitability for the position and recommended a short-term contract instead of the original offer. However, with the backing of a respected coach like Shaka Smart, it seems that Crarey’s hiring has gained significant support within the basketball community.

As Florida A&M prepares for a new era under Crarey’s leadership, it is clear that he has the endorsement of one of the best coaches in the nation, which bodes well for the future of the Rattlers’ basketball program.