UNDERGROUND HUDDLE #11: Shaka Smart

Once per quarter, Ben and Sam Rogers with BUILD Coaching Company host The Underground Huddle - an interview with a prominent leader in sports or business with BUILD clients and other select guests present. All attendees live our mission to build an army of Disciplined Leaders and share our vision to be a resource for and a connector of current and aspiring leaders in small business, sports, and other areas of life. For the 11th Underground Huddle, our guest was Shaka Smart, the head coach for the Marquette University basketball team. He has been the leader for the Golden Eagles since 2021, most recently leading them to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Division I tournament in 2024. Marquette has won both a Big East regular season title and a Big East tournament championship under Coach Smart. Prior to Marquette, Smart served as the head coach for the University of Texas and for Virginia Commonwealth University. At VCU, Smart and his famed “Havoc” defense earned a trip to the Final Four in 2011. It was the first Final Four appearance in VCU history. Coach is known by many for his relentless energy and his ability to build relationships with his staff and players.