AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > January > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWildcat Wackos making Tubby blue
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Athens — While Tubby Smith still has his reputation along with his limbs in tact, he should go. RUN. Get out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as quickly as he can. He should knock the bluegrass from the bottom of his shoes as he races all the way to sanity. That’s because coaching Wildcats basketball is insanity. I mean, they’re setting one of the most prolific leaders in college basketball on fire.
Seriously.
If you go to www.firetubbysmith.com, you’ll find a picture of a dapper Smith in flames as he squats in his customary position on the Kentucky sideline.
SPRINT, Tubby. Git. Do not pass go or collect $200 before it’s too late. Kentucky legend Joe B. Hall wants Smith to stick around for a while. Even so, Hall understands as much as anybody that anything less than winning big and emphatically with the Wildcats will make your old Kentucky home slightly uncomfortable. “I certainly had my share of hate mail and suggestions, but nobody tried to kill my dog or send me a moving van or anything like that,” said Hall, easing into a chuckle over the phone from Lexington, Ky., while recalling his 13 seasons coaching the Wildcats through 1985.
Added Hall, “I was very philosophical about it. I worked very hard when I was coach and put everything I had into it. If I wasn’t successful, I was prepared to go back to Cynthiana, Ky., and become a mailman.”
What Smith should become is an NBA coach or a college skipper for a more appreciative fan base. That he spent his first season at Kentucky winning a national championship in 1998 isn’t impressive to the Wildcat Wackos who attribute such a thing to Smith inheriting Rick Pitino’s players. Never mind that Smith entered this year winning nearly 80 percent of his games at Kentucky. Plus, two of his last three teams came within a couple of shots of reaching the Final Four.
At Kentucky, it’s about what are you doing this millisecond. So here were the Wildcats, entering Tuesday night’s game against Georgia at Stegeman Coliseum, looking shaky enough to make those Wildcat Wackos rush to add more flames to that Tubby Web site. Among other horrors, the Wildcats lost at home to Vanderbilt for the first time since Gerald Ford was in the Oval Office. They also were blasted by Indiana and Kansas, two premier programs that the Wildcat Wackos swear rank maybe six fastbreaks behind Kentucky.
Translated: In order for Smith to douse those flames, Kentucky had to beat Georgia, and then everybody else during the rest of his Wildcat career. Given the second coming of Randolph Morris, they just might. The 6-foot-10 sophomore from Atlanta’s Landmark Christian was stifling inside while leading the Wildcats in scoring for the third straight time since his reinstatement by the NCAA. They won 69-54 with a sizzling second half.
Which means it didn’t matter that the Wildcats didn’t have what former Georgia coach Hugh Durham used to call “that Big Blue Mist” of Kentucky fans forming a large and loud ring around the top of the coliseum. Those among the vast Wildcat Nation are too peeved with Smith these days to travel like they used to.
Once, Smith was at Georgia, where he led the Bulldogs to a combined 45-19 record and consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament. This was before he lost his mind after the 1996-97 season and decided to follow Pitino, the designated for Kentucky after he brought the Wildcats back to prominence from its dark years of probation.
As the late Al McGuire used to say, “The person who follows a dictator is always assassinated.” Hall had it worse than Smith, because Hall succeeded Adolph Rupp, the ultimate dictator. This is the same grumpy, disagreeable Rupp who is depicted in the new movie “Glory Road,” which is about the all-black Texas Western team knocking off Rupp’s all-white Kentucky team for the 1966 national championship. Hall was Rupp’s assistant back then.
What a difference 40 years and integration can make. Now just four of Kentucky’s players are white, and its coach is black. “I had been coaching nine years before I came to Kentucky, and I never had a team that didn’t have a black player, so I could foresee this in Kentucky’s future,” said Hall, who spends his retirement doing a radio show with former Louisville coach Denny Crum. “There are pressures for Tubby, but his success overall as a coach makes it predictable that he will survive.”
Yeah, but Smith shouldn’t take that chance when he can bolt.
Like now.
Permalink | Comments (36) | Categories: Terence Moore, UGA / SEC
Comments
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By Bender
January 18, 2006 01:16 AM | Link to this
Tubby, don’t quit!!!
Because as soon as you do, Kentucky will steal Felton from us.
By Jim
January 18, 2006 07:27 AM | Link to this
Don’t worry about Felton EVER coaching at UK. He is a good x and o guy and his teams work hard, but there is much more to coaching UK than that and Felton does not have it.
If Tubby would go out and recruit and have Kentucky level players (see sophomore class) throughout his entire roster, he would not have the heat that Moore refers to. He would have also been to one or two more final fours than he has.
Yes Kentucky fans are demanding. It is the all-time winningest program, only UCLA has won more national championships.
He should have the best players, and the best coaching staff in the country and right now he does not have that. That is no one’s fault but Tubby’s.
By Mike
January 18, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this
Tubby is having a bad year. Not as focused as he usually is. Still time to recover. He’s gonna have to do more than beat Georgia though.
By Nate
January 18, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this
Yes UK is down this year, but they are not out. They should play for the SEC title this year (not saying much considering how weak the confrence is), if not win it and loose in the second round of the NCAA. Even Morris (over rated) coming back is not enough.
By paul
January 18, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this
Hey Terrence. You are the whacko.
By Michael Herrick
January 18, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this
It must have been a slow day in Georgia for you to think up that slant on a column. Tubby loves Kentucky and won’t let a few radical fans run him out of town. Kentucky is not the only school with a “firethecoach.com” type of web site. I would think you could put your energies into Felton, who is also rebuilding and stumbling along. What would happen if Georgia Football loses three of their first four games next year? What an uprising that would bring….
By Jay
January 18, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this
As always you are playing that old racist record. You left Cincinnati because you just couldn’t cut the mustard. Get over the race issue and you might one day become a good journalist and sports writer. And by the way, How many NCAA championships have you won?
By Faisal Siddiqi
January 18, 2006 09:25 AM | Link to this
I think Tubby should get out of Lexington and move on to the NBA for another challenge. He has nothing to prove in the college ranks, he is one of the best coaches in the NCAA and he would prove he his worth and be appreciated even more in the NBA. Can anyone say, how about the Atlanta Hawks?They have the youngest team in the NBA and would thrive and hit their prime even faster with the likes of Tubby Smith. The Atlanta Hawks should go after Tubby and put the Hawks back on the map and back on course to respectabiliy!
By Ed
January 18, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this
Kentucky fans unreasonable? Expect too much of the team and the coach? Attribute more importance to the team than it deserves? Live and die with, and are passionate about the team? Absolutely!
But if college basketball coaches like Tubby love the game, if they are passionate about it - and I assume they must be - why in the world would they want to coach in a place where the fans didn’t share their passion and love?
Tubby’s a man. He can handle the criticism. And he knows the good far outweighs the negative aspects of the UK job.
By Big D
January 18, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
GREAT COLUMN, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, TERENCE!!!!! LET YOUR HATERS BE YOUR MOTIVATORS……..
By Mike
January 18, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this
Coaching at Kentucky requires two things, thick skin and a large vault to put your money in. Kentucky has many idiotic fans as does every other top 25 basketball or football program. I’m glad your esteemed sportswriter mentioned that Joe B. had it worse than Tubby ever has(this year included)and hopefully that fact nullifies the racial angle.. Tubby going to the NBA, I think not, to strict and to defensive oriented. The NBA children will simply tune him out. Fire Tubby, a ridiculous notion indeed. Tubby will recruit better in the future and everything will work out fine. As a U.K. alum I am glad he is in Lexington and I know his skin is thick enough to ignore the handful of internet idiots. Stay put Tub, ignore the idiots and keep cashing the big paychecks.
By Virginia man
January 18, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this
Mr Moore,
I believe you have a fact very wrong in your wildcat wacko story. Texas western was not an all black team as you must wish they merely had an all black staring five!
Thanks enjoy your day covering a team hundreds of miles from your dear Atlanta. Have you ever lived in Ky?
By Bill
January 18, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
Could anyone explain the “Morris scandal” at Kentucky? Could you image a Georgia player in the same situation. The NCAA would vacate all wins since Woodruff Hall.
By Eric
January 18, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
As a University of Kentucky student and native Kentuckian I can truly tell you my embarrassment of the UK fanbase. The most unfortunate thing about the critism of Coach Smith is the fact that most of the people who actively criticize the basketball team have no affiliation with the Univeristy what-so-ever. True, you may have your exceptions, but as a whole the large majority who open there mouth the loudest, never once attended the Univeristy of Kentucky. However, I also realize that Kentuckians have a certain pride about their cherished basketball team. Kentucky has a fanbase of passion that is passed on from generation to generation, just as my grandfather passed that passion on to me. It is just unfortunate that this fanbase has become so fanatical that the image of this great Univeristy and state has been marred. For myself, I realize that Coach Smith is one of the premiere Coaches in College Basketball at this time. If I was in his position, I could not blame him for leaving and going to a more deserving fanbase.
However, a large majority of this fanbase will agree with me on this. Tubby is a great coach, a great person, and a great leader for our basketball team. He is a great ambassador for this University and I hope that he remains the Head Coach of the University of Kentucky basketball team for many years to come.
By Rey Olivencia
January 18, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
As usual someone tells it like it is, most Ky fans are spoiled little kids that have won at will for so long that they don’t know what REAL losing is, but losing a few games and they act like they’re getting evicted from the NCAA spotlight. Easy KY fans, you got your immacualte FAX FOUND no less on the desk of your great coach. You should take comfort in knowing programs like Georgia could NEVER get a break like that. Get over yourselves for once and just endure your season, no way you get rid of tubby, he has a 12 million dolalr buy out, unless 100’s of farms go up for sell to help, he’ll be around UNTIL HE want to leave……so suck it up or plant the for sale sign by the barn…Terrence is speaking the plain and simple truth, you need evidence visit these sites and read thr forums: www.wildcatfaithful.com www.catspause.com www.wildcatnation.net enough said…..
By Deano
January 18, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this
What a suprise, Terrance Moore bringing race into the fold. Terrance is a racist himself, but just won’t admit it.
By Virginia man
January 18, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Hey rey you are comparing a misplaced fax with, academic fraud?
By John in Lex
January 18, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this
SPRINT, Tubby. Git. Do not pass go or collect $200 before it’s too late.>>>
Well, it would be more like $2.4 million, but what’s a bit of spare change?
Thanks for dropping any number of stereotypes in your “woe is Tubby” missive. There have been valid reasons for criticism of Smith’s coaching in the past several years, particularly his lack of a cohesive offense, which was masked occasionally by talent but has always had long periods of tentative play with little movement or purpose to any execution in the half-court. That you choose to portray the small segment of yahoos as indicative of all UK fans who are critical is facile, but not factual. And that segment of fan you so decry is found in any sports program.
If the stereotype doesn’t fit, you must acquit.
By the way. Texas Western wasn’t an all-black team. All of their starters were black. There is a difference, though perhaps the distinction is lost on you.
By Paul
January 18, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
Terrence did you appoint yourself Cheif of the Racial Police or do you just hate white people?
By Libbie
January 18, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this
Two comments to Terence Moore from a Kentucky fan. One, if the fan base expections of the Kentucky Wildcats are too severe, then why is it that the Kentucky coaching job is one of the most prestigious in college basketball. Second, I do not hear complains from you concerning the Kentucky fan base when we are in Atlanta spending thousands of dollars.
By Libbie
January 18, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this
Two comments to T. Moore from a Kentucky fan. One, since you feel the expectations of the Kentucky fan base is too severe then why is it that the Kentucky coaching job is one of the most prestious jobs in college basketball. Second, I hear no complains from you when the Kentucky fan base arrives in Atlanta during the SEC or other games and spends thousands of dollars which certainly boosts your economy. Maybe we should rethink about coming to Atlanta!
By Rod
January 18, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
Hey Rey,
Tubby’s buyout is $1 million, not $12 million.
Tubby’s problems of are his own making, not the fan base. It’s because of the fan base that he gets to desposit $2.5 million per year into his bank account. The highest paid college basketball coach in the country can expect heavy criticism for being 11-6 with two 25+ point blow out losses.
By WWH Mustaine
January 18, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this
Poor Tubby Smith, huh?
The guy only makes $2.5M a year to coach basketball. And be the best known, most beloved sports figure in the state. What a tough gig. (If you want to know what the most hated sports figure in the state looks like, check out the Louisville sidelines. There’s a little Italian fella sitting there that you may want to see.)
I guess this little factoid wouldn’t fit in with the tone of Moore’s article, but I’ll let him have it anyway: The administrative assistant in UK’s basketball office, who’s been there for over 30 years, and has seen the tenures of Rupp, Hall, Sutton, Pitino and Tubby, is on record as saying that Tubby gets less “hate mail” than any of the others that preceded him.
How ‘bout that, Terence?
By Bryan,KY
January 18, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this
Yeah we are the only school that demands the best, cough…Florida..cough Football cough Ron Zook. I believe it was www.fireronzook.com The only difference is that Tubby has had 9 seasons to recruit his own players and prove his worth. We are still waiting. We are Kentucky. Just like Florida is king in football.
By Greg
January 18, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this
Get off the UK fan base…it’s because of the “radical” UK fan base that Tubby makes over $2.5 million per plus is treated like royalty. Race has little to do with this situation…you have 4 10 loss seasons in 9 years, have the longest final four drought in school history and let the talent level drop to an alltime low, then he needs to be gone. This isn’t Georgia that settles for that occassional SEC run to keep your fans happy. This is KENTUCKY!! I want Rich Brooks fired too, now am I discriminating against the elderly???
By harry zachem
January 18, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
Many of us likelong UK basketball fans are similar to the fanatic lifelong football fans of U. GA., LSU, Bama, Auburn, U.FL., etc. We deserve and expect he best coach possible!! Coach Smith is not that coach. I put my $$ up for K Fund and tix each year and have for decades - the students, alumni, and entire fan base of UK deserve a better recruiter and Coach. So — I agree with you, ” Tubby, go, go fast, leave KY.!”
By Harry
January 18, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this
As a UK alum and basketball supporter for 45 years, I don’t know why I am different from those U. Ga. or Bama Football fanatics. UK deserves the best possible basketball coach, and Mr. Smith is not that person. What do SEC football fanatics do when their team goes 7-4, and not in running for National Championship — they demand a new and better coach. So-be-it,UKbasketball fans should demand same!!
By travis peck
January 18, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
The 6”10 Atlanta kid Morris (went NBA and then came back and was suspended for 14 games for taking $$$$ from and agent) makes a HUGE difference for the Wildcats. Now having hey will win 20+ games and go far in SEC and NCAA tourneys. Tubby is the man and could give 2 craps about what fellow “brotherman” Terence Moore MAKING-UP a FALSE story about him being between a rock in a hard place. Speaking of “git”…. why dont you “git” and hit the road Terence. Enough is enough.
Terence——- very WEAK. The AJC editors need to do better job making sure their writers 1. Do their homework 2. More importantly dont EXAGERRATE a problem or susposed race problem. Tubby can handle the heat because he brings the heat. You are actually advising someone to “run” from their dreamjob? Or even to “run” from a problem? Thats weak pal. And on top of that you are insinuating that white wacko Kentucky fans have made it an impossible situation for their black coach. Thats plain awful…playing the racist card.
By wild thing
January 18, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this
the tubster should have never left athens…would have been a legend here…just another coach to be canned in EXCEPT ONLY RUPP lexington…go dawgs!!!
By kentucky cade
January 18, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this
told you we would get you in round ball…watch our team develop as season progresses
By STEVE LYNCH
January 18, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this
What needs to happen at the University of Kentucky the athletic diresctor needs to be released and the new athletic director should be Tubby Smith. The new head coach than should be John Calapari assisted by John Phelprey.
By ukcatlee
January 18, 2006 08:23 PM | Link to this
Will this ever end with you will Terence? You always refer to a SMALL minority when speaking about how Tubby is received at Kentucky. You writers and your agendas!! Do you remember talking to me at TGI Fridays during the SEC Tournament in Nashville some years ago? Do you ever talk to Tubby? Do you ever listen to his call-in shows? Just where do you get all this anti-Tubby information. From my short conversation with you it did not take long to realize that you have an agenda and that you just want to spew your anti-Kentucky rhetoric. Get over it! We are passionate about our basketball! So what! Tubby is going to be at Kentucky for a long time. We are happy to have him as our coach. You could take a lesson from him when it comes to showing some class. Quite playing the RACE CARD! It is getting old. Try to be more creative whih your next annual UK bashing article.
By karecat
January 18, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this
The University of Kentucky should have the very best coach! And … we’ve got him!!! We love you, Tubby!!!
By Roderick
January 19, 2006 03:22 AM | Link to this
Tubby is an excellent coach, not excellent black coach but an excellent coach. Keep up the good work Tubby just do a better job of recruting “blue chip” propects!!
By Roderick
January 19, 2006 03:25 AM | Link to this
When you recruit those blue chippers, recruit the prospects from the Georgia schools, we have superior atheletes in this state!!
By Crow
January 19, 2006 04:09 AM | Link to this
In considering the motives of Mr. Moore and the tone he selects for his antagonistic smearing of Kentucky Wildcat fans, what “facts” does he choose to present and which does he choose to ignore?
Does he mention Kentucky’s inability to consistently recruit under Tubby (our Jr. class is devoid of an iota of talent and UNC snatched away all of our top frontcourt targets in this year’s class)? Kentucky’s continued inability to develop players offensively? Kentucky only having 1 NBA first round draft pick under Tubby (Prince - who should have went much higher than #23)? Does he find it possible that anything besides race might play a role in Tubby’s current difficulties with the most passionate fan base in all of sport?
No, he doesn’t. Much easier to play the race card than do research, isn’t it? Much easier to slander an entire state of passionate fans offhandedly as “freedom of the press” which unfortunately also entitles Mr. Moore to freedom from research, analysis, accuracy, ethics, or even common decency. Gotta’ love an all-black Texas Western team that never existed except in the tortured recesses of Moore’s racist agenda.
Your employer should “run” from the likes of you. All those whom actually have suffered and sacrificed for true civil rights are made less by your lazy caterwauling over what amounts to fans griping about a coach during a difficult basketball season.
Good luck in hoping Cincinnati will take you back after Atlanta gets sick of your inflammatory race baiting. Carelessness such as yours should get you shown the door soon enough. But then again I’m sure you’ll claim it was because of race rather you’re your spectacular penchant for incompetence.