Utah athletic director Mark Harlan made it clear that the decision to part ways with head coach Craig Smith was rooted in the program’s high expectations and desire to return to national prominence. In his statement,

College basketball insider Jeff Goodman gave his take on the decision deeming it "strange timing" amid the team's 7-9 record in the Big 12 . He then went into further detail regarding his surprise at the decision. "Smith was hired at Utah following 3 straight NCAA tournaments at Utah State," Goodman said .

Utah men's basketball coach Craig Smith was fired Monday with four games remaining in his fourth season at the school