coolhandgopher
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I've heard from a few people who have talked to Tubby/Donna many times and they are extremely happy here. I would be shocked if he left with this recruiting class coming in.
That being said - it does make me feel better knowing that if by some shocking chance he does leave - I firmly believe Flip is waiting in the wings.
Flip has never had to recruit.
He's not going to VA, but that doesn't mean he's not going. I agree with Chuck. All he has to say is that he's staying at MN and will not look at other jobs. I haven't heard that. I think that once a top 5-10 job opens up (AZ is almost in that category) he will very seriously consider it.
I think his tenure he depends entirely on how he envisions the rest of his career. He can build the gophers into a consistent top 20 program. However, it is highly, highly unlikely he will win a national championship here. Again, not impossible, but nobody would put money on it. So, if he is driven to win one more and he only has a few years left, he will leave for a more elite program. (I could be wrong, but I don't think money is the issue because he's not going to make that much more at another school in this economy.) If other things are more important to him at this point in his life, he'll be more likely to stay.
I agree with HM in terms of his choice of words when he refers to this situation, but at least he's not acting like Lou Holtz. Let's face it, the U and Tubby are strange bedfellows. They both needed each other at precisely the right moment and a very unlikely hire was made. That may not be the case anymore.
I am old-time Kentucky fan and a new Minny supporter since Tubby became your coach. I've followed Tubby since I noticed this young black assistant on Coach Pitino's staff. He seemed very nice and something you don't see everyday on the UK Basketball Staff. I have followed his days at Tulsa, Georgia, and Kentucky.
I do not know him personally nor am I a friend, but I know his tendencies. I have never seen him happier than these past two year. He has a spark and energy that I've not seen before from him. Donna is happy again and he has Saul with him. Most important though is the fact he feels wanted, loved, appreciated, and needed. Folks, you have a keeper in Tubby Smith. My advice is treat him well and appreciate him for what he is doing and will accomplish at your fine school. One other thing, Tubby is a plain spoken man so you can believe what he tells you. He is not Lou Holtz. Tubby is all go and absolutely no show. Enjoy him because I do miss him at UK.
Personal note as a first time poster: I am 55 years old from near Owensboro Kentucky and have been a fan of Kentucky basketball since age 5. I am very old school that says if you were ever touched by the Blue then you're forever family and will be respected for life, because you enriched the history and glory of Kentucky Basketball. These loud mouth newbies have never been taught that important lesson and it detracts from our heretiage. Tubby certainly enriched our school's glory!!!
Thank you for letting me speak my peace. Good luck and God bless you. I will be watching your fine teams with increased interest.
How many times does the man have to say he isn't interested in leaving. Personally, I think
1. he is trying to be gracious to other schools. As one of the bloggers on the thread said, he is an honorable man. He could simply be being respectful to the other schools.
2. He is trying to explain his rationale in being at MN rather then another school. He is wanted, needed and might I add greatly loved and appreciated. I would think if fans keep tossing it back and forth, he may even get a little annoyed and insulted.
He receives top money and the University will bend over backwards to keep him both here and happy so long as he continues to be an honorable man and building a highly respectable winning program.
TUBBY IS NOT LOU HOLTZ! I realize what are considered more upper echalon schools (whatever that may mean) will always consider the coaches from supposedly lessor schools, it is the nature of the business. But fans need to try and show a little backbone here.
Even if Tubby does decide there is an offer to good to refuse, which I think would be a huge mistake on his part since the more upper echalon schools would be returning to the unappreciated meat grinder, the Gophers have swung the door wide open for him and I highly doubt they could do more short of replacing the barn. Last I heard, Tubby has gotten to appreciate the charm of it.
Had to vent...getting more then a little weary of all the Tubby going elsewhere talk.
He is in a bit of a no-win situation with the comments. If gets specific and says 'I'm not interested in the UVA job' the Alabama and Georgia people will take it as code that he IS interested in them.
How about if he says, "I have no interest in any other job right now and will definitely be the coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2009-2010." I would be satisfied with that. UVA, Alabama and Georgia (not to mention Arizona and Minnesota) can all take that as code that he's not going anywhere.
"We have no reason to be looking at anything else" -- how Myron quoted him -- is code for "I'm not looking, but I'll answer the phone."
I am old-time Kentucky fan and a new Minny supporter since Tubby became your coach. I've followed Tubby since I noticed this young black assistant on Coach Pitino's staff. He seemed very nice and something you don't see everyday on the UK Basketball Staff. I have followed his days at Tulsa, Georgia, and Kentucky.
I do not know him personally nor am I a friend, but I know his tendencies. I have never seen him happier than these past two year. He has a spark and energy that I've not seen before from him. Donna is happy again and he has Saul with him. Most important though is the fact he feels wanted, loved, appreciated, and needed. Folks, you have a keeper in Tubby Smith. My advice is treat him well and appreciate him for what he is doing and will accomplish at your fine school. One other thing, Tubby is a plain spoken man so you can believe what he tells you. He is not Lou Holtz. Tubby is all go and absolutely no show. Enjoy him because I do miss him at UK.
Personal note as a first time poster: I am 55 years old from near Owensboro Kentucky and have been a fan of Kentucky basketball since age 5. I am very old school that says if you were ever touched by the Blue then you're forever family and will be respected for life, because you enriched the history and glory of Kentucky Basketball. These loud mouth newbies have never been taught that important lesson and it detracts from our heretiage. Tubby certainly enriched our school's glory!!!
Thank you for letting me speak my peace. Good luck and God bless you. I will be watching your fine teams with increased interest.
It would admittedly be better if he made a stronger statement. Maybe he just wants to keep a little leverage with Maturi. "Hmm, you say we can't start fundraising for my practice facility for 6 months? It sure be nice if we could do it sooner. You say you'll get on it right away? Great."
Souhan has a less positive take:
Subject: Star-Tribune article (inside): "Virginia could be perfect fit for Tubby Smith"
Posted by: hooskerdu on Fri Mar 20 2009 8:42:38 PM
Message:
By Jim Souhan
Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
(MCT)
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Tubby Smith worked as an assistant
basketball coach at Virginia Commonwealth, South Carolina and
Kentucky.
He worked as a head coach at Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky and
Minnesota.
He was born and raised in Maryland, and played college basketball in
North Carolina.
He has family in Maryland and Virginia.
A realist would probably look at Smith's resume and assume that he,
like most power coaches, is always looking for his next job, a place
offering a little more money, or better facilities, a more supportive
atmosphere, or a better chance to win a championship. Or that, as a
successful 57-year-old, he might take a hint from other well-off
Minnesotans and look for a warmer place to spend his winters.
The typical myopic Gopher fan would probably look at Smith's resume
and assume he has found his dream job in Dinkytown, that a man who
has spent most of his life in the South has, in two years, planted deep
roots in the frozen tundra.
We may find out soon whether Smith has any roots at all. If Smith's
intention was to take advantage of Minnesota's hospitality, relative to
the crazed atmosphere at Kentucky, he could stay. Minnesota is, after
all, an easy place to coach if you are competent.
Smith must already be the most powerful figure in the athletic
department, Williams Arena offers a distinct home-court advantage, and
he will never receive the level of criticism here for finishing seventh in the
Big Ten that he received in Kentucky for getting beat deep in the NCAA
tournament.
If he's looking to leave, though, Smith could depart quickly.
You couldn't run into a sportswriter or a basketball official in Greensboro
who didn't ask whether Smith is going to take the vacant Virginia job.
The speculation has yet to rise above the level of rumor, but we should
never let a power coach complain about these rumors, because power
coaches so rarely tell the truth about their intentions. Power coaches,
even those as classy as Smith, have taught us not to trust them.
Thus far, Smith has said only, "We have no reason to be looking at
anything else. And I'm very happy where we are."
If Smith wanted to quash the rumor, he could offer a stronger
statement, something along the lines of: "I have no interest in any other
job and will remain in Minnesota at least for the length of my contract."
Saying anything weaker than that invites speculation.
At his age, Smith's next move might be to a school where he will feel
comfortable coaching until retirement. He would be a natural fit in his
home state of Maryland, but Gary Williams snuffed rumors of his
impending firing with a strong late-season performance. Smith would
probably welcome warmer climes, which is why Arizona would make
sense.
Virginia could be a perfect fit for Smith. It offers many things Minnesota
doesn't — warmer weather, an up-to-date practice facility, a place his
wife would like to live, and an ACC pedigree. Virginia has struggled
enough that Smith could receive credit for rebuilding another program if
he has any success.
Smith could leave Minnesota bragging that he resurrected a program
that was in shambles when he arrived, and he would be right.
Smith did not grow up dreaming of coaching in Williams Arena. He
knew little about Minnesota- the program or the state — until, sick of
the abuse he was taking in Kentucky, he called old friend Clem
Haskins to ask whether he should be interested in the Gophers job.
Haskins probably told him something like, "It's an easy place to coach,
most of the media is soft, the fans are happy if you can get them to the
tournament, it's worth a look."
Minnesota is a nice way station for a power coach, but it is not a place
Smith can expect to win another NCAA title, or a place he expects to
retire.
Minnesota and Smith have been good for each other so far. That doesn't
mean this relationship is built to last.
———
(c) 2009, Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
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