Bye Bye Tubby?

by Tony_O on Mar 14, 2011 3:57 PM CDT

Per ESPN 1500 from Minneapolis.

http://1500espn.com/sportswire/Report_Arkansas_close_to_hiring_away_Gophers_coach_Tubby_Smith_031411

Tubby Smith's fourth season as Gophers men's basketball coach effectively ended on Sunday night, when the National Invitation Tournament passed on his slumping team for its 32-team field.

Now, it appears Smith may have coached his final game at the "U".

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported on Monday afternoon that Smith has had a face-to-face meeting with University of Arkansas officials, who are close to hiring the 59-year-old for their vacant head-coaching position.

Smith signed a seven-year deal with the "U" in 2007 and compiled an 80-53 record over four seasons that included two bids to the NCAA Tournament and a third to the NIT. But this year's team stumbled badly down the stretch as injuries and defections thinned the backcourt, losing 10 of its last 11 games to finish 17-14.

Arkansas -- which fired John Pelphrey on Sunday after four seasons and a 69-59 record -- also has had "informal contact" with former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie, the Star-Telegram reported. Other coaches linked as possibilities for the opening include Missouri's Mike Anderson, Texas A&M's Mark Turgeon, Marquette's Buzz Williams and Kansas State's Frank Martin.

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I doubt this is true....

Tubby is probably just using this gossip for negotiating, but if it is I am ok with that too. He brought the program up a notch, but there are definite issue with Tubby and I am more than ok with him leaving.

by Narby on Mar 14, 2011 5:04 PM CDT reply actions

Nonsense.

by jimipig on Mar 14, 2011 9:02 PM CDT reply actions

He's, what 60?

Why would he leave for an inferior conference and a program that’s even farther down in the shitter than this one is? At that age, he’s not going to just pack it up and move away for some extended rebuilding project.
Any other job he’s offered would have to be for a program that’s already in the upper-tier.

Stop freaking out over every ridiculous rumor. He’s not leaving this easily, especially not for a program like Arkansas.

Formerly thewild_viking_twins. Because my old profile was kidnapped by ninjas, and I was NOT a bad enough dude to rescue it...

by NorthernStar on Mar 14, 2011 9:04 PM CDT reply actions

He's 59

Turns 60 on May 31st.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 14, 2011 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions

somewhere I read

Arkansas has the #7 recruiting class coming in with a 5 star PG. Fayetteville is a great college town. I could see it happening.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 15, 2011 6:55 AM CDT reply actions

I will trade

Tubby for John Pelphry (fired Ark. coach) straight up. Over 4 years will save 5 million to go toward a practice facility. Get a young, motivatated, smart bright coach in exchange for a guy who is coasting in a rocking chair. DAmn right I am mad at the moment.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 15, 2011 8:48 AM CDT reply actions

Pelphrey

69-59 in 4 years as Ark HC.

Better (but not much) at South Alabama.

Hope he gets another shot as HC somewhere.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 15, 2011 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions

2 Clips From Arkansas Re: Tubby

Yesterday, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Minnesota coach Tubby Smith was "close" to being hired by Arkansas. We linked you to that report, but we also pointed out that Smith has been in contract negotiations with the Gophers on an extension. We showed you a comment from Smith — "I’m going to finish my career here" — and asked if that sounded like a man preparing to pick up stakes again and move at age 59? Turns out, it still sounds to us — and to many others today — like Smith is very much a smokescreen in the Arkansas search. Minnesota’s coach said during his weekly radio show last night if he expected to return to the Gophers next year. "Yes I do."The coach also said that he is continuing to work on a two-year extension with the school’s athletic director. On that front, we wouldn’t be surprised to learn that reps for Smith might have leaked the Arkansas story to drive up the value of their client. Either way, it’s hard to picture Smith moving again at this stage in his career. And Arkansas fans might not be thrilled with bringing in a man who lost 10 of his last 11 games last year. Razorback AD Jeff Long might not want to bring in a 59-year-old either for fear of having to go through the hiring process again in just five or six years. Never say never, but this one sounded fishy to begin with… and even fishier now.

(AND) Arkansas already has ONE Tubby:

… said Claude "Tubby" Smith, executive director of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association in Little Rock.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 15, 2011 9:24 AM CDT reply actions

STOP THE MADNESS

the only thing that concerns me is that this year Tubby is telling everyone that he is staying, other years he didn’t say anything. But he’s not going anywhere.