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SALT LAKE CITY â Utah men's basketball coach Craig Smith has completed his coaching staff.
On Tuesday, Utah announced the hire of former Real Salt Lake Academy program director David Evans to fill the vacancy of Smith's final assistant coach position after three of his assistants left the program in the offseason.
Evans was brought on after former assistant Tramel Barnes was hired as an assistant at South Dakota State last week.
"Dave is an outstanding basketball coach," Smith said in a statement. "He has demonstrated success as a head coach throughout his career and understands winning. Dave has won at a high level no matter where he's been and there is a reason for that.
"In addition to his players raving about him, another aspect that became very apparent during this search process is how many genuine relationships he's had with coaches around the globe. We are excited to welcome Dave and his family to the Runnin' Utes."
Evans joins Utah after spending the last four years as the program director at RSL Academy, where he recruited athletes to the program that went 67-21 in his tenure. Previously, he was the head coach at Wasatch Academy where his team went 51-6 in his three seasons with the program.
At Wasatch Academy, Evans coached several athletes that earned Division I scholarships and went on to have successful careers.
"I am so grateful to be a part of the University of Utah basketball program," Evans said. "I want to thank coach Smith, the staff and Mark Harlan for the opportunity, and I look forward to help continue building the program as it enters the Big 12 Conference."
Evans joins fellow assistant coaches Josh Eilert (West Virginia) and Loren "Lo" Leath (Sacramento State) who were hired weeks before.
Despite the chaotic offseason for the men's program, Smith told KSL.com recently that he's "super excited" and optimistic with the roster he and his coaching staff has put together. With summer conditioning taking place, Smith said the players and coaches will all learn the system together.
Speaking of his two previous hires, Smith told KSL.com that he feels "very confident in their ability to recruit and to be able to make a positive impact in teaching our guys skill development and coaching them on the floor."
