SMU announced on Mar. 26 that Jason Hart has been appointed as the associate head coach for SMU Men’s Basketball. Hart brings with him 16 years of coaching experience and a nine-year career as an NBA player.
The appointment is significant as it reunites Hart with SMU Head Coach Andy Enfield, under whom he previously served for eight seasons at the University of Southern California (USC). “We’re thrilled to add Jason to our staff,” said Enfield. “I’ve worked closely with him for years and have seen firsthand the impact he has on players and a program. He’s an outstanding teacher of the game, a strong recruiter, and someone our student-athletes will benefit from every day.”
Hart spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Kentucky, where he helped guide the Wildcats to a combined record of 46–26, including reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2025 and advancing to the NCAA Second Round in 2026. During his time there, two players were selected in the NBA Draft while three others signed contracts as free agents.
Before joining Kentucky, Hart was head coach of NBA G League Ignite from 2021 to 2024. In that role, ten players were drafted into the NBA between 2022 and 2024, including five first-round picks.
Hart’s earlier coaching career includes significant achievements at USC alongside Enfield—helping recruit five future NBA draft selections and contributing to three NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure. He also played college basketball at Syracuse University from 1996–2000, where he set records in steals and assists before being drafted into the NBA by Milwaukee in 2000.
With extensive experience both on professional courts and college sidelines, Hart is expected to bring leadership and recruiting strength to SMU’s program.
