OTTAWA — Carleton Ravens men’s basketball coach Dave Smart is taking a leave of absence for the 2015-16 Canadian Interuniversity Sport season, the school announced Friday.
Carleton said in a release that Smart wants to spend time with his young family and continue his work with Canada’s senior men’s team.
Smart recently worked at the 2015 Pan American Games as an assistant on Jay Triano’s staff, helping Canada win a silver medal.
Assistant coach Rob Smart, Dave’s nephew, will serve as interim head coach next season.
Dave Smart has led the Ravens to 11 CIS titles in 13 seasons.
Smart will now turn his attention to the 2015 FIBA Americas tournament in Mexico City, which starts Aug. 31. A top-two finish will guarantee the Canada an automatic birth at the 2016 Olympics.