AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > March > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTubby’s wobbly status at Kentucky
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
There once was a guy from Maysville, Ky., who was accused of trying to get a Kentucky coach fired. I know. I was the guy.
Joe B. Hall was the coach, and some of things I wrote in the Lexington Herald-Leader so angered Joe B. that he and his supporters seemed rather elated when I, of my own volition, left on March 1, 1984, to take the job I still have.
Long story short: Joe B. wound up retiring, of his own volition, a little over a year later. And the last few times we’ve seen one another, we’ve gotten along rather famously. Time and distance, you understand.
Today there’s another guy from Maysville, Ky., who could wind up bringing down the current Kentucky coach. His name is Chris Lofton, and he’s the best shooter in college basketball. He plays at Tennessee because he wasn’t recruited by the Big Blue, despite having led Mason County to the state championship on UK’s own hallowed floor.
Maysville is 64 miles from Lexington, and it used to be as solid a Big Blue bastion as any in the commonwealth. (I know because my family numbered itself as the only Louisville fans in town, my dad having graduated from U of L’s dental school.) But Tubby Smith’s failure to recruit Lofton, and Lofton’s subsequent rise in Knoxville, has left more than a few Maysvillians wearing the once-hated orange. And now, with Kentucky having lost nine games on the heels of last season’s 13 losses, the pressure is on Smith as never before.
And I hate this. I have more respect for Smith as a man than any college coach I’ve ever known, and I still believe he’s one of the best tacticians working. That said, there’s no excuse for Kentucky ever lacking talent (which it clearly does), and there’s no excuse for not offering Lofton a scholarship. He’s a terrific young man who would have energized a fading UK program the same way he has galvanized the Vols.
On Monday, Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart released a statement expressing his disappointment with the Wildcats’ season and stopping far short of any vote of confidence in Smith. On Tuesday, Lofton led Tennessee to an upset of Florida, the team that has usurped Kentucky’s spot atop the SEC.
I’ve always been the holdout who believed, despite ample rumors to the contrary, Smith wasn’t leaving Kentucky for any other job anywhere, but now I don’t know. When the AD can’t publicly support the basketball coach, is it time for the coach to go?
And if Tubby departs, won’t Lofton — a Maysville guy, of all things — be remembered as the player who opened the door?
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By Jeff
March 1, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
Yes, I agree, UK has fallen off in basketball just like Bama in Football.
By I hate retarded journalism
March 1, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
You’re way way off. Reason’s for not offering Lofton a scholarship. Hmm.. let me see. A transfer from Patrick Sparks a very good KY boy, 2 mcdonalds all americans, Joe Crawford and Rajon Rondo and Ramel Bradely. He was even an afterthought at UT only getting an offer after one of their players was dismissed from the team. Get your facts straight before throwing us under the bus!
By Bobby
March 1, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Mark told me one night at a Hawks playoff game that Rex Chapman (who was still at UK) would one day become the greatest player in the NBA. You know a lot about hoops Mark. I know why they still hate you at UK.
By Kristian
March 1, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Mark, I certainly agree with the parts of this article regarding the uncertainty of Tubby’s status at UK and the hindsighted regret of not getting Lofton to play at UK, but to associate Lofton not being recruited by UK as a failure that could cost Tubby his job is outright ridiculous and I have to say an example of shoddy journalism. Get your facts straight Bradley! UK had the best recruiting class in the nation the year Lofton came out which included three highly ranked guards, two McD All-Americans. Sure, Lofton is a gem but one that was certainly not guaranteed during his high school playing years. Many coaches whiffed on Lofton including another one right in his back yard named Pitino. It is not like he was recruited by other top tier programs. No! He winds up being offered by a FB school with a coach who himself was on his way out the door. Sorry Mark, your case in establishing that Tubby’s failed recruitment of Lofton is way too much Monday Morning QB. Your attempt at genuine insight may succeed for the uninformed, but for those who know the facts it is just another example of a journalist with a column believing they have a right to spew whatever illogical deductions they care to write. This is POOR form!
By Vince
March 1, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
This seems to be a really complex thing.
On the one hand, one would have to consider Tubby’s record in the SEC and in the NCAA tournament in comparsion to that of other legends in the business over the past 20 years. On average, I think he fares well against peer legends, though I don’t have the numbers.
I have also seen stats that Tubby’s recruiting stacks up well against most every program in terms of # of blue chippers, even though there have been some disappointments and possible mis-calls on players who flamed out.
Then there is something called bad luc which occasionally has hit the program.
I do wonder if Tubby’s style of basketball might not turn away some kinds of flashy players who want to be starts and then go quickly to the League. I am no expert on this, but I wonder if the emphasis on Team Defense and Team Offense may turn away some kinds of players. I wonder what other observers think about this.
I believe that Tubby is a master coach and also have a great deal of respect for him and his leadership and ethics.
Vince
By Mike Pandolfo
March 1, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
For the record, I have been off the Tubby bandwagon for several years. Clearly, it is time for him to move on. Our pathetic recruiting efforts reflect this among other deficiencies. However, I believe I speak for the majority of Big Blue Nation when I say this….missing on Lofton was not Tubby’s fault and hind-sight is 20-20 in this case. Contrary to the media’s unfair perception that our fan base is irrational. ‘04 has been the only bright spot in recruiting for most of Tubby’s tenure. We landed the #1 SG in Joe Crawford, one of the top PGs in Rondo, and one of the top centers in Morris, plus Sparks. Chris Lofton is not the reason behind pushing Tubby out the door. Scrounging for left overs every Spring due to our abysmal recruiting efforts and bringing in NR (not rated) recruits is a big mitigating factor.
By glorydays
March 1, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
I am from Kentucky as many generations before me, and UK fan. Live in CA now but still try to go to the SEC tourney in CATlanta. I know the UK fan, which in my mind are both admirably zealous and borderline pathetic in a get a life way. I am proud that Tubby is our coach as a human being and a coach. The problem is recruiting and perhaps not willing to change a style that has been successful but not in vogue. He can not seem to get the talented player, that is also motivated, hard worker and basketball smart..they have too many other good options that play a style of basketball more to their liking. Tubby ball is not suited for the talented but unmotivated, non team player. His style is better for a less talented but give all for the team player..those guys are going to other schools. So Tubby has a choice, he either needs to change his style or change his recruiting, forget Mickey D players and focus on the Fitches, Hayes, and Loftons (especially KY player, can’t go wrong there). I think I agree with you, Tubby is a very good coach and a very good man, unfortunately for UK, being a good man only counts after you win and win big. I’m not sure if the problem is Tubby or the UK fan.
By Die Hard
March 1, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
The class of Bradley,Rondo,Morris and Crawford has not paned out. Crawford and Morris have attitude problems both tried to leave Kentucky early. Bradley’s an idiot and Rondo couldn’t shoot the ball. I say give Tubby one more year with Meeks who I think could be great, Jasper not bad either, and hopefully develop Stevenson
By Mac
March 1, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
Lofton was an afterthought even for UT. He was a spot up shooter that had no intention of playing defense.
Your article is so much sour grapes. A Loftonville native who grew up a Louisville fan. Objectivity at its finest.
By mcdawg
March 1, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
they all went Pro early-he is one of the best coaches ever-everywhere he has been he produced winners
By Scott
March 1, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Hey Pandolfo, get back to selling those boxes. I have to think this is junior, this is junior bag man down in Roswell. Tell your old man to sell me his Panana City condo for peanuts, he owes us from years ago. Go Dawgs!
By randy
March 1, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
tubby did’nt do anything! he came to ky and took over all recruits that pitino recruited, he won a national champ. with them. since then he has done nothing for ky. he can’t recruit and he has no asst coaches worth a tinkers damn. they told tubby last year to do something about his asst coaches, he did nothing. tubby needs to go! ky alum are not going to put up with him anymore!
By randy
March 1, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
tubby did’nt do anything! he came to ky and took over all recruits that pitino recruited, he won a national champ. with them. since then he has done nothing for ky. he can’t recruit and he has no asst coaches worth a tinkers damn. they told tubby last year to do something about his asst coaches, he did nothing. tubby needs to go! ky alum are not going to put up with him anymore!
By randy
March 1, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
tubby did’nt do anything! he came to ky and took over all recruits that pitino recruited, he won a national champ. with them. since then he has done nothing for ky. he can’t recruit and he has no asst coaches worth a tinkers damn. they told tubby last year to do something about his asst coaches, he did nothing. tubby needs to go! ky alum are not going to put up with him anymore!
By Sean
March 1, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
I agree w/ your column and agree that it’s time to go. But I disagree that Lofton has had anything to do with it. Tubby had the #1 recruiting class in the country that year including guards Rajon Rondo, Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford. Hindsight being 20/20 and all, it’s easy to say now that Lofton would have been the better choice over 2 of those 3 but not at that time. Heck, no major D-I coach in the country wanted him - not even Bruce Pearl. He was picked up late by Buzz Peterson.
By Bobby Dowell
March 1, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
It’s not just one player. Tubby has recruited poorly since taking over for Petino. This team is MEDIOCRE. That may fly in some other SEC schools, but not KY. He needs to go.
By patdooley
March 1, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
I thought it was a really good column, Mark.
By dawginLex
March 1, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Tubby’s time is up. Short of a miracle FF run, he is gone. His style of play has ruined recruiting. He refuses to play up-tempo racehorse, full court pressure that the fans are screaming for. When they play it, they look great. When they play Tubbyball, it is like watching paint dry.
The talent is here to some extent but again, playing his style is not producing results. Tubby claims the talent is not here as compared to Pitino. Compare Bradley,Crawford,Rondo and Morris to Feldhaus,Woods,Pelphrey and Farmer and tell me who the better athletes are. The difference-coaching and style of play.
By Jim Trammell
March 1, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
It is time to drain the tub. On the Hearld-Leader UK discussion board there ar upwards of 6000 posts a day. The majority favor a coaching change. There are also several polls that show the same desire.
People defend not offering Lofton a scholarship with absurd statements. Yes, Tubby recruited some supposed good players but Lofton was Mr Kentucky basketball and could actually shoot the ball, a serious deficiency on Tubby’s UK teams. I have many friends from Maysville and we will never get over Tubby’s stupidity in the Lofton fiasco. There is speculation that Lofton wouldn’t be playing much for UK since he isn’t boring enough for Tubby ball. That plus Tubby’s boring style of play. The only time this year’s team looks good is when they are playing uptempo ball. That is because this is the worst passing team in college basketball. Add in the fact that Randolph Morris is the laziest player in the college game and you have a recipe for disaster.
Kentucky fans are not satisfied with a “good guy” coach whose teams aren’t ranked. He inherited the premier team and America and has turned it into a mediocre mess. Tubby can’t recruit and that is partly a result of his boring coaching style. Who wants to play his “keep it close” style of basketball?
Tennesse has become Kentucky and Kentucky has become Tennessee. Tennessee is fun to watch. Watching Kentucky play is like getting a root canal without anesthetic.
The time to drain the tub is now!!!
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 1, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Lets see if I understand. One guy says that Martin wasn’t recruited because Tubby had such a good class that he wasn’t rated good enough. OK. My question is then, have you ever hearde of the straw that broke the camel’s back? That’s what Martin appears to be. If Tubby’s getting all of these good players then why are the ‘Cats continuing to lose? Is it bad recruiting or lack of coaching? How long does a coach have? He’s had 10 yrs. and the longer he’s there the more the losses have been coming so why is everyone so upset because ‘Cat fans are. The program seems to me as being on a down hill slope. Is his contract a lifer, forget winning? Fans have a right to complain even though some homers consider you to be the enemy, forget it and “Howl” Ky. basketball is going backwards.
By Sue
March 1, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
I have nothing against Tubby as a human being. He’s a very fine man. I DO however have a problem with medocrity and that is where UK is now. Just another 20 win team getting ousted from the tournament early. Not acceptable!! Recruiting stinks and I happen to agree, the only reason we won the championship was we still had Pitino’s players. Now the ultimate question becomes WHO next? Ahhh my UK friends, THAT is the million, or multi-million dollar question! All I do know is that I don’t like what I see when I watch my Cats anymore….
By neal
March 1, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
If Tubby gets canned, I hope UGA brings him back. Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!
By glorydays
March 1, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
How many coaches that compete in a top conference have a better record than UK over the past five years? Not many. The guy can coach, however, his style turns off the most talented recruits…and the UK fan base. If he is not going to win 95% of his games he better have a team that is fun to watch. The current team is agonizing to watch. I think his tenure at UK does depend on the decision of Patterson and Lucas, if he loses both then he is out here. He is a good coach, just not good enough for UK and this years team is not smart or mentally tough…how do you not blame that on the coach This is what is totally unacceptable for a UK fan. Shockingly even Tubby said, the system works, the problem is the personal. They are yours Tubby, you can’t fault them, they are yours
By glorydays
March 1, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
How many coaches that compete in a top conference have a better record than UK over the past five years? Not many. The guy can coach, however, his style turns off the most talented recruits…and the UK fan base. If he is not going to win 95% of his games he better have a team that is fun to watch. The current team is agonizing to watch. I think his tenure at UK does depend on the decision of Patterson and Lucas, if he loses both then he is out here. He is a good coach, just not good enough for UK and this years team is not smart or mentally tough…how do you not blame that on the coach This is what is totally unacceptable for a UK fan. Shockingly even Tubby said, the system works, the problem is the personal. They are yours Tubby, you can’t fault them, they are yours
By Brad in KY
March 1, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
From an Atlanta Native & current Lexington Resident:
The whole fire Tubby thing is absurd. First, the entire issue is premissed on the last season and a half, when Tubby’s vaunted recruiting class that included Crawford, Rondo, and Morris haven’t really panned out.
What bothers me about this is that, prior to landing these star recruits, Tubby was winning (and winning big) with lesser known talents like Fitch and Hawkins. They were Tubby-type players: they fit his system and they played the game his way.
Winning, however, isn’t enough for the hillbilly, know-nothing, meth-addicts here in Kentucky. It became about his inability to (1) get to the Final Four and (2) develop NBA talent. Seriously, despite racking up win after win, you could tune-in to the mindless sports-radio shows and people were ripping Tubby because his players either didn’t make it to or didn’t perform well in the NBA (except for Tayshaun Prince, of course, but he doesn’t count b/c that’d hurt their case).
So Tubby goes after the big-names, the guys with egos, like Rondo, Morris, and Crawford. And now he’s paying the price for doing it the fans’ way. Tubby’s only going to win 20+ games for the 14th consecutive season, and it won’t be enough. These guys that were supposed to be so good - well - they aren’t very good.
And, to make my case the stronger, it should be noted that it’s the lesser known recruits - this year’s freshman class - that have been the most satisfying to watch. Why? Because they’re Tubby-type players like the ones of old; like Fitch and Hawkins and Hayes. And they’re going to win again, if only Tubby gets the chance.
What a mistake if they fire Tubby. What a mistake.
By Perk4bigblue
March 1, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
This is UK Basketball and traditionally any Mr. Basketball that has expressed interest in UK should be offered at the least an opportunity to attend. Chris Lofton is just an example of Tubby not having an understanding of what Kentucky Basketball is about. Most all Kentucky Kids grow up dreaming of someday playing for the Big Blue.
The Big Blue Nation is indeed more than restless. Just check out this website: http://firetubbysmith.com
If people don’t understand why we are not happy with 20 win seasons they do not understand UK basketball!
As some folks say: “In Kentucky basketball is not a religion, it’s more important than that!”
By Tipsy Fairy
March 1, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Oh you little blue fans, don’t you worry the Tipsy Fairy will take care of you. I dropped some hope dust on the whole town of Lexington. Now poor Tubby will find out what it’s like to coach a mid major. The school will buy them a nice new coach, just like my little red alabama football fans did. Oh shoot, you know those kids only go to school to party, and Tubby has been a real party pooper. Tootle Loo
By fourscore
March 1, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
A great coach need to be able to identify talent and potential. Tubby Smith had the opportunity to see Lofton play plenty of times in high school and we know the result.
When asked last year if he had made a mistake in not signing him, he simply responded, “yes.”
But, to me that’s not the big deal. There are too many teams, several in the SEC, with better talent than UK. That should not happen.
By smart
March 1, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Hello I for one has no sympathy for tubby. He could have stayed at georgia went 500 each year and commanded a great salary. He thought he was salt and never really realized pepper will never have sucess at Rupp Arena even if he won a national ch every other year. He forgot who he was and were he was going when he left
By dawginLex
March 2, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Brad,
I couldn’t disagree more with your comments. #1, I too am from GA and live in LEX now. I am a lifelong UK fan and what we have now is not acceptable.
Riddle me this: Is the program better or worse than it was 10 years ago ? Has Tubby’s style of play enticed recruits or turned them a way ? When he has gotten the recruits, has his style of play and refusal to play up-tempo created games of “trying not to lose” instead of winning ?
Compare the last 2 years to the probation years and the numbers are almost equal. In fact, I would venture to guess that UK had more quality wins during the probation years with 5 scholarship players versus the last two years under Tubby.
He must go.
By allen
March 3, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
All you Cat fans and Bradley get it straight. My cousin’s son played with Lofton at Mason County and he had no desire to play at UK. His two choices were UofL and Cincinnati and neither offered. That’s how he ended up at UT. It’a a fact. And any homer that would have taken him over the McDonalds AA # 1 shooting guard (Crawford) is either an idiot or a liar.