Is Middle Tennessee’s next basketball coach at Bridgestone Arena?

Middle Tennessee’s Kermit Davis is the new Ole Miss coach, and the Blue Raiders are searching for his replacement. A good option might be at Bridgestone Arena this weekend in Texas assistant coach Darrin Horn.

Texas coach Shaka Smart agrees that Horn should be a prime head coaching candidate, though he’d hate to lose him. His No. 10 seed Longhorns (19-14) play No. 7 seed Nevada (27-7) at 3:30 p.m. Friday on TBS.

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Horn was a successful coach at his alma mater, Western Kentucky, MTSU’s rival. He posted a 111-48 record from 2003-08 with the Hilltoppers, including a run to the Sweet Sixteen. He then went 60-63 as South Carolina coach and worked as an analyst for ESPN and SEC Network before landing on Smart’s Texas staff three seasons ago.

Smart said Horn has been the biggest contributor in developing the Longhorns’ standout post players, including projected NBA lottery pick Mo Bamba. Horn started the Texas shootaround joking around with Bamba and other players amid Longhorns' fans.

“If a guy on our current staff gets a head coaching job, I’d be ecstatic,” said Smart, who had four assistant coaches at Virginia Commonwealth become head coaches. “I think (Horn’s possible candidacy) is a compliment to our staff. We have a really good staff.”

Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.