The Longhorns and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Shaka Smart are expected to finalize a deal for Smart to be Texas’ next head coach Thursday, sources have told to 247Sports’ Jerry Meyer.

If he signs as expected, Smart would replace Rick Barnes, who parted ways with Texas after 17 seasons last week. The 37-year-old Smart comes to Texas after a very successful six-year run with the Rams that included a CBI Championship and a run to the Final Four in 2011.

Smart made a $1.57 million base salary with additional bonuses and incentives worth up to $695,750 last year at VCU, according to USA Today. In his final year at Texas, Barnes made a $2.625 base salary with up to $790,000 in incentives.

Smart arrived at VCU in 2009 and instilled his unique style of coaching right away. The Rams played “Havoc” basketball, an up-tempo brand of basketball highlighted by full-court pressure and transition offense.

This style, coupled with his fiery vigor, helped elevate VCU to national prominence in 2011, when the Rams shocked and made a run to the 2011 Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. VCU averaged 27 wins a year over Smart’s six seasons as head coach.

In addition to the Rams’ run to the Final Four, Smart led VCU to a CBI Championship in his first season as head coach. The Rams have reached the NCAA tournament the last five years under Smart, compiling a 7-5 record over that stretch. In the program’s history before Smart’s arrival, VCU had won just five NCAA Tournament games.

Former players are bullish about Smart’s impact on their lives in addition to his coaching abilities.

“If (Texas) got him, it would be the best hire you’ve ever had,” former VCU guard Joey Rodriguez said. “He’s awesome. You will be very, very, very lucky to have him.”

Before VCU, Smart served in stints as an assistant coach at Dayton, Akron, Clemson and Florida. A Madison, Wisconsin native, Smart played college basketball at Kenyon College, where he graduated magna cum laude.