Tubby Smith Fired

[military_irish]

This is somewhat surprising to me.

Gophers Dismiss Tubby Smith--ESPN

 

[GowerND11]

This is somewhat surprising to me.

Gophers Dismiss Tubby Smith

Very surprising. I thought they were on the up with him.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Absurd.

 

[military_irish]

Considering from my memory, someone correct me if I am wrong but Minnesota never had a great history in basketball. Recent history anyways.

With Tubby Smith at the helm, there was at least some excitement around the program.

 

[irishff1014]

That is a terrible move for that program. He probably won't be unemployed long.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Considering from my memory, someone correct me if I am wrong but Minnesota never had a great history in basketball. Recent history anyways.

With Tubby Smith at the helm, there was at least some excitement around the program.

They had some good success when they were committing academic fraud in the 1990's.

 

[ACamp1900]

Between this and Ben Howland I just shake my head... at least from what i know of the two.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

That is a terrible move for that program. He probably won't be unemployed long.

And whoever Minn hires won't be as good as Tubby. Surprising

 

[FLDomer]

Hmm, move over Brey!!

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Between this and Ben Howland I just shake my head... at least from what i know of the two.

I disagree about Ben Howland, he deserved to get the ax a year ago. Read this article which came out over qa year ago. Howland lost control of his players and the program.

Partying, players disrespecting program led to problems at UCLA - SI.com - Magazine

 

[ACamp1900]

I saw that too... but UCLA is in for a rude awakening if they think there is another coach out there that can take them to 3 Final Four's and compete for the PAC 12 every year that is willing to take that job...

 

[PraetorianND]

I saw that too... but UCLA is in for a rude awakening if they think there is another coach out there that can take them to 3 Final Four's and compete for the PAC 12 every year that is willing to take that job...

How about Tubby Smith?

 

[Rizzophil]

Shaka smart expected to be the new head coach at MN.

I'm a huge fan of Tubby. Integrity. Respect. Mentor. Just wasnt working though.

Clem Haskins took them to th Final Four. Unfortunately he wasn't on the up and up. Sanctions crushed the program and they haven't been able to recover.

 

[Luckylucci]

I disagree about Ben Howland, he deserved to get the ax a year ago. Read this article which came out over qa year ago. Howland lost control of his players and the program.

Partying, players disrespecting program led to problems at UCLA - SI.com - Magazine

Yea, I'm with ya. Howland needed to go, he lost complete control of that team a couple of years ago. And just like you Sherm, once I read that article I never thought twice about that feeling. However, I am completely shocked by this. I was born and raised in Minnesota so much of my family and friends are Gopher fans. Haven't had the chance to speak with them yet but I know they were very excited about what Tubby was doing.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Yea, I'm with ya. Howland needed to go, he lost complete control of that team a couple of years ago. And just like you Sherm, once I read that article I never thought twice about that feeling. However, I am completely shocked by this. I was born and raised in Minnesota so much of my family and friends are Gopher fans. Haven't had the chance to speak with them yet but I know they were very excited about what Tubby was doing.

I agree with everything you just said!

 

[ND-North]

For the price Minnesota was paying, Tubby was not performing up to expectations. Yes he had a couple decent season but the majority were huge disappointments. We have had talented teams. We would always start hot and find away to mess it up half way through the season. We regularly finished in the bottom half of the B1G and Tubby only won one tourney game in his six years as coach. I'm not surprised or upset about this decision at all. I appreciate everything Tubby has done for the program but it is time for a fresh face. With the right coach and some facility upgrades, this could be a force in the B1G

Minnesota's new athletic director comes from VCU and hired Shaka Smart. They have a very close relationship and it is rumored that he is interested in the job over UCLA

 

[IrishJayhawk]

For the price Minnesota was paying, Tubby was not performing up to expectations. Yes he had a couple decent season but the majority were huge disappointments. We have had talented teams. We would always start hot and find away to mess it up half way through the season. We regularly finished in the bottom half of the B1G and Tubby only won one tourney game in his six years as coach. I'm not surprised or upset about this decision at all. I appreciate everything Tubby has done for the program but it is time for a fresh face. With the right coach and some facility upgrades, this could be a force in the B1G

Minnesota's new athletic director comes from VCU and hired Shaka Smart. They have a very close relationship and it is rumored that he is interested in the job over UCLA

If they can get Shaka, it's a win. If they have someone in mind who is an upgrade, cool. However, Smart taking Minnesota over UCLA would be ridiculous. UCLA has tradition, an incredible recruiting base, and LA. In the Pac 12, he'd be competing with Arizona and Oregon...and that's about it. The Gophers would always be fighting an uphill battle against the other programs in the Big 10. It's a constant slugfest.

Don't get me wrong. I lived in the Twin Cities for 10 years. I LOVE that place. But it's not on the same level as UCLA as a basketball destination.

 

[ND-North]

If they can get Shaka, it's a win. If they have someone in mind who is an upgrade, cool. However, Smart taking Minnesota over UCLA would be ridiculous. UCLA has tradition, an incredible recruiting base, and LA. In the Pac 12, he'd be competing with Arizona and Oregon...and that's about it. The Gophers would always be fighting an uphill battle against the other programs in the Big 10. It's a constant slugfest.

Don't get me wrong. I lived in the Twin Cities for 10 years. I LOVE that place. But it's not on the same level as UCLA as a basketball destination.

I absolutely agree with that. I'm just saying Shaka might prefer a familiar boss who he fully trusts. By no way am I guarantee that he's coming to MN, just passing along the rumors I'm hearing out of the program

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I absolutely agree with that. I'm just saying Shaka might prefer a familiar boss who he fully trusts. By no way am I guarantee that he's coming to MN, just passing along the rumors I'm hearing out of the program

I'll be rooting for that outcome.

 

[ACamp1900]

I dont' think UCLA is currently the destination that the avg. fan may think it is...

 

[IrishSpartan]

People think Shaka will be the coach cause their AD is the VCU AD that brought him there. But i dont see Shaka going anywhere until he is offerred a top 5 job. He loves VCU.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

Tubby brought Minnesota back to respectability from sanctions. I think when this is over Minnesota will regret firing Tubby when they realize they're not suddenly going to get a coach to come in and turn them into an elite team competing for Final Fours every year.

 

[Emcee77]

People think Shaka will be the coach cause their AD is the VCU AD that brought him there. But i dont see Shaka going anywhere until he is offerred a top 5 job. He loves VCU.

I tend to agree. If he was interested in climbing, he'd probably already be gone. UCLA might tempt him, but I doubt Minnesota will.

Didn't he sign a huge contract with VCU just last off-season though? Not sure what the buyout/opt-out possibilities are.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I dont' think UCLA is currently the destination that the avg. fan may think it is...

IMO, UCLA basketball is like Notre Dame football 5 years ago. Sleeping giant. They'll be back in the conversation with a good coach.

 

[ACamp1900]

IMO, UCLA basketball is like Notre Dame football 5 years ago. Sleeping giant. They'll be back in the conversation with a good coach.

When they get him... I think they had one personaly... he had a tire fire of a year last year......... he also took them to how many Final Fours and had how many Pac 12 titles and NBA draft picks??? With a fan base that demands winning despite the fact they won't show up to their own games...

good luck UCLA

I hope I am wrong as UCLA is one of three schools I care about... ND and KU being the others... but I think UCLA may be in for a wake up

 

[IrishJayhawk]

When they get him... I think they had one personaly... he had a tire fire of a year last year......... he also took them to how many Final Fours and had how many Pac 12 titles and NBA draft picks??? With a fan base that demands winning despite the fact they won't show up to their own games...

good luck UCLA

I hope I am wrong as UCLA is one of three schools I care about... ND and KU being the others... but I think UCLA may be in for a wake up

Maybe. We'll find out. Howland is excellent, I think. Much better than Lavin, who just played undisciplined playground ball. It's going to be interesting to watch.

 

[ACamp1900]

I care more about football anyway, if UCLA BB goes in the toilet and UCLA FB comes up,... I'll take that trade in a heartbeat.

 

[Irish YJ]

I love Tubby as a person... and what he did at Tulsa and UGA you can not question. Mixed reviews at UK.

But at MN....
Never better than 6th in the B10
Never better than .500 in the B10

He was a consistent 20 game winner, but for the $, he couldn't get them over the hump.

Would love to see him go back to UGA or to GaTech.

 

[Irish#1]

For the price Minnesota was paying, Tubby was not performing up to expectations. Yes he had a couple decent season but the majority were huge disappointments. We have had talented teams. We would always start hot and find away to mess it up half way through the season. We regularly finished in the bottom half of the B1G and Tubby only won one tourney game in his six years as coach. I'm not surprised or upset about this decision at all. I appreciate everything Tubby has done for the program but it is time for a fresh face. With the right coach and some facility upgrades, this could be a force in the B1G

Minnesota's new athletic director comes from VCU and hired Shaka Smart. They have a very close relationship and it is rumored that he is interested in the job over UCLA

I'm not close to the program , but from what I can tell the commitment from up above hasn't always been there. Then you have the Barn. I love that place and al of the old gyms, but it's hard to get the best kids to come there on a consistent basis if you don't have the facilities to match the others. If Tubby had the resources I think he would have had more success.

 

[Irish#1]

I love Tubby as a person... and what he did at Tulsa and UGA you can not question. Mixed reviews at UK.

But at MN....
Never better than 6th in the B10
Never better than .500 in the B10

He was a consistent 20 game winner, but for the $, he couldn't get them over the hump.

Would love to see him go back to UGA or to GaTech.

I think that was in large part due to his integrity and refusal to do some of the "under the table" things his predecessors did.