Shortly after letting head men's basketball Rick Barnes go, the University of Texas (UT) may be close to hiring his replacement.

Unnamed sources told CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein UT has engaged in a discussion with VCU head coach Shaka Smart over the opening. Smart has declined on numerous occasions to leave VCU for a bigger program in a Power 5 conference, but the Longhorns could well be the job to get him.

Rothstein indicated Smart had become the top name on UT athletic director Steve Patterson's list. His sources said the school would likely focus on landing Utah's Larry Krystkowiak and Xavier's Chris Mack if they cannot lure Smart.

While Wichita State's Gregg Marshall has been a popular name for the Texas coaching vacancy and others, Horns Digest's Chip Brown learned he is not on Patterson's radar. Rather, Patterson seems to be eyeing Villanova's Jay Wright. Like Rothstein, Brown believes Patterson's top target is Smart.

Despite playing in the Atlantic 10 conference, Smart has managed impressive recruiting classes in recent years and has made a name for himself as a coach with his "havoc" full-court press defense, SB Nation noted. But Texas will be looking for results on the court.

The school recently fired Rick Barnes after reportedly giving him the option to stay if he agreed to fire several of his staff members. Barnes led the Longhorns to the NCAA Tournament every season in his 17-year tenure, but only took the Longhorns to one Final Four and won no national titles.