SMU is getting closer to landing Southern California basketball coach Andy Enfield, multiple sources reported.
Enfield has been the Mustangs’ sole target since they fired Rob Lanier on March 21, a day after they lost a first-round game in the NIT to Indiana State 101-92, according to ESPN.
After ESPN identified Enfield as a “person of interest” on Tuesday, AM-570 radio in Los Angeles reported that the coach was taking the SMU job.
Wednesday’s report from ESPN indicated that the deal might not be finalized for a few days, although SMU had not reached out to any other candidates.
Enfield, 54, just concluded his 11th season at USC. Several key players missed time with injuries as the Trojans finished the season 15-18. They were drubbed by Arizona in the Pac-12 Conference quarterfinals.
Enfield is 220-147 at USC, with five NCAA Tournament appearances. The Trojans reached the Elite Eight in the 2020-21 season. He previously coached at Florida Gulf Coast, guiding the 15th-seeded Eagles to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 in 2013.
SMU, which finished 20-13 this season, will move to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season and reportedly wants a high-profile hire. The Mustangs, who went just 10-22 in 2022-23, lost seven of their last eight games this season, and Lanier was let go after two seasons at the school.
The Mustangs have not made the NCAA Tournament since losing in the first round in 2016-17.
–Field Level Media