After six seasons of mixed results, Coach Keith Smith has left his job as head coach of the Westlake girls basketball program.

Smith accepted the job at tradition-laden Longview earlier this week, according to the Longview News-Journal. Smith takes over for Tommy Aldridge, who is 10th all-time among American girls high school basketball coaches with a career record of 908-150. Aldridge led the Longview program since its inception in 1978 before retiring last month. In 32 season with Longview, Aldridge never had a losing season, won 25 district titles, won 30 games 19 times and coached three teams that advanced to state semifinals, including the 1983-84 Class 5A state championship team.

“I never thought I would leave Austin,” Smith told the News-Journal. “But I think now is the time to try something different.”

Smith also told the Longview newspaper that he wanted to live closer to his parents. Joe Ann and Doyle Smith live in Calhoun, La., which is 15 miles west of Smith’s native Monroe, La.

According to Eanes athletic director Darren Allman, the search for a new coach should intensify as the end of June approaches.

“We have already started the process of finding a new coach, and that should pick up this week,” he said.

During his tenure at Westlake, Smith led the Chaps to an overall record of 139-60. However, the Chaps – who captured two state titles and 10 consecutive district championships in the 1990s – won just two playoff games under Smith.