Kyle Smith to USF?

KPIX reported Monday night that USF has hired Columbia’s Kyle Smith as its head coach. The position has been open since the Dons fired Rex Walters on March 9.

A USF spokesman would not comment on the report. A source close to Smith acknowledged that Smith and USF have had discussions but said the report that he has accepted the job was premature.

Smith is finishing his sixth season with the Lions, who host UC Irvine on Tuesday in the final of the CollegeInsider. com tournament Tuesday. Columbia is 24- 10 this season and 100- 83 in Smith’s tenure.

He was a longtime assistant to Randy Bennett at St. Mary’s. Smith left Moraga for New York after the Gaels made it to the Sweet 16 in 2010.