Sports Columnists

By sj

March 22, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

Not that anyone cares, but I immediately stopped reading this article when race was brought up.

By Scott

March 22, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

So, Kentucky…who’s next? Mark, great column and I agree with your analysis. This is a BIG mistake for the ‘Cats…but a BIGGER score for Minnesota. Tubby is a class act and Kentucky isn’t appreciative to have him or deserve him.

By Roger

March 22, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

I agree that Tubby is a class act and a good coach, but his achilles heel has been recruiting. For a program as esteemed as Kentucky, he should have been able to compete with the Duke’s, Kansas’, and North Carolina’s of the college basketball world for prospects. His recruiting classes were very ordinary, and they finally caught up with him these last two years. I’ve heard different stories as to why his recruiting has been below par, but more than anything his plain vanilla style of play seemed to hurt him the most in that area. Kentucky needs a coach that has the style that kids of today’s age like to play.

By Dooner Combs

March 22, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

You and your sport writers buddies would write the very same article 10 years from now. After years of mediocrity the sames things would be written by you are your pals. Beating up the Kentucky fans, which are the very best of all sports fans, is the favorite past time of the average open minded sported writer. Tubby ball is not Kentucky style basketball. Believe is or not.

By brad in KY

March 22, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

Roger

With all due respect, the criticism of Tubby’s recruiting has reached legendary proportion but without merit.

Before Tubby submitted to the masses and landed the McDonald’s All-America class a couple of years ago, Tubby was winning lots of games by recruiting incredibly good college basketball players - most of whom stuck around for four years (Chuck Hayes, Tayshaun Prince, Fitch and Hawkins, et al). But despite winning game after game, people here in Lexington complained because Tubby wasn’t producing good NBA players! How ridiculous is that?

So Tubby lands the big-name recruits like Morris, Rondo, and Crawford, and that was the beginning of the end. Crawford’s been a disaster. Rondo was good, but refused to play the team game to the point where his own teammates were calling him out. And Morris…well, at least he finally came around this season, but he’s about two years late as far as KY fans are concerned.

What the idiots here in KY don’t understand is that Tubby was simply refusing to play the NBA game, where college programs have become developmental teams for kids to play for a year and then jump ship to go pro. Instead, he found really good college players, who could compete and win at the highest levels of college basketball, and the formula worked- he’s won the SEC tournament 5 times, they were a shot away from the Final Four two years ago (loss to MSU in double OT), and he’s won 80 percent of his games overall (oh…and the National Championship - but that was with Pitino’s players, of course).

At any rate, it wasn’t until Tubby abandoned that philosophy and recruited the big names that Duke, UNC et al were recruiting that the trouble started!

Ergo, the “bad recruiter” claim is false, as is the “vanilla” style claim. Winning never goes out of style.

By Bruce

March 22, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

As a Kentuckian and a life-long Wildcat Fan, I couldn’t disagree more with your column. I remember when Tubby accepted the job a decade ago. Fans were excited with the choice and went delirious after winning the Championship his first year with the Cats. But truth be told, despite his winning percentage, despite his ability to make the NCAA tournament every year….something was lacking and that was Tubby’s inability to attract and convince top-level talent to play for Kentucky. His only NBA level players he was able to recruit was Tayshaun Prince and Keith Bogans. THAT’S IT…IN 10 YEARS. The last couple years it was painfully obvious that the talent level was more comparable to mid-major conferences much less the SEC. I think Tubby, Kentucky and the great fans of the Wildcats ALL deserve a fresh start and a new beginning.

By Matthew At The SLC

March 22, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

How about this Mark, why not just admit the fact the Tubby’s first mistake was leaving Georgia. Who’s to say that Tubby Smith, a more accomplished coach than Billy Donovan, couldn’t have done with Georgia that Donovan did with Florida. He wasn’t under anyone’s thumb at Georgia. There were no ghosts haunting his steps (Hugh Durham… please!). Tubby should have stayed and made Georgia his own, made Georgia a National Championship contender. He would have reaped the benefits of this states great basketball talent, instead of having to fight UNC, Duke, etc. because of Kentucky’s lack of talent. He could have made the Dawgs great, but instead he left, and now, he’s coaching a program much like the Dawgs, but much, much worse.

Bradley, it’s high time you admit that Tubby should have just stayed where he would have been King, much like Donovan now is at Florida. What a waste.

By Grover

March 22, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

The SEC just became a weaker conference today. Dooner, Bradley is a Kentucky alum, so how is he beating up Kentucky fans?? He is giving his honest view. A view shared by most.

By Bret

March 22, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree with Matthew more. Tubby could have created a legacy at Georgia. I understood why he left, but I lost respect for him when he did. Tubby would have reached legendary status if he made a school like Georgia a consistent winner. Instead he chased the glory at Kentucky and while he got his national title I don’t feel the least bit sorry for him. He knew what he was walking into there. As a huge Georgia basketball fan this only makes me even more bitter that he left. Root for Tubby at Minnesota? Forget it, I am pulling for Felton and hoping if he accomplishes great things at Georgia he doesn’t make the same mistake.

By ripme

March 22, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

Kentucky please call Paul Hewitt!

By SSI "Southern Lady"

March 22, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

Goodbye Tubby. Me and the rest of the conts will miss you. You did great things

By GJJ

March 22, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Well said. Tubby is a class act. Kentucky basketball fans have the same problem as Alabama football fans….unrealistic goals. The days of Rupp and Bryant no longer exist!!

By Cat in Colorado

March 22, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Tubby won 80%+ of his games with possibly the toughest schedule around. He won with dignity and class and his kids , in large measure, embodied his sense of dignity. The thuggish behavior so often seen in the college game now (see UF under Donovan, the entire Auburn team, anyone Huggins coaches, etc) was never seen by the kids in blue.

The argument that he wasn’t a good recruiter because only Bogans and Prince were NBA talents is LAUGHABLE. I’ve been a UK hoops fan for 35 years…..Who are the NBA stars the ‘Cats have produced? Dan Issel STILL ranks as the greatest UK pro in the last 50 years. Macy and Chapman were decent journeymen; Bowie and Turpin were busts; Walker, Winston Bennett and Mashburn were similarly journeymen….Since Issel, only Walker can be called a superstar & even that was for only a few years.

The fact is VERY FEW programs produce prodigious quantities of NBA superstars and NBA talent. Bama has as many as anyone else….And last time I checked, Bama hadn’t won much.

UK lost today. We’ll get a good coach. Someone will be starstruck enough to take the job. It’s still the very best job in college basketball. Despite that, we still lost in a big way today.

Good luck to you, Tubby.

By Bruce

March 22, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

To Cat in Colorado. The great thing about Petino’s teams at Kentucky was the effort and pride in which they played with. Maybe if Tubby recruited a few more Kentucky kids like SEC Player of the Year-Chris Loften, perhaps some of that pride and tradition would have rubbed off and the other players. Tubby’s teams the last few years really seemed to lose that aspect.

By wildcat74

March 22, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

I have met T Smith on two seperate occaisions, shaking his hand and talking with him 10-15 minutes each. He is a true class act.

But, Mark, you are wrong again. A class act can only go so far. History has been made at UK the last 2 years and not in a good way…4 game losing streak to Vanderbilt, 6 game losing streak to FLA, numberous NCAA upsets as #1 or #2 seeds, never beating a seed higher than #5 in the tourney. While 20 wins, sweet 16s and a final four every 12 years is okay at tulsa, georgia or minnesota, this is not those schools.

The difference between pitino and tubby cant be measured by the sole champioship of each. Pitino brought a program on the verge of the death penalty to a program with enough talent to reach 3 straight NCAA tourney championship games.

Tubby has done just the opposite. He took a program on top of the world and brought it down to a level where players like sheray thomas, lukas orbzut and bobby perry were forced to be major contributors.

Add that to the terrible development of players - tubbys program consistantly turned 5 star H.S. recruits into the players they were supposed to be…after 3 years “buying into the system”. A perfect example, Randolph Morris, whos stock was 1000X more as a H.S. senior than after 2 years at UK.

Tubby had 10 years to deliver the bacon, enough is enough.

By MJ

March 22, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Bruce - your obvious disillusion as a fan is exactly why Tubby felt complelled to leave….unfortunately, your feelings are the majority in the big blue nation…you all “blue” it by running off agreat coach!!

By pj

March 22, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

ESPN put up a stat this evening that amazed me… Kentucky has the 4th most wins in college basketball in the last decade… FOURTH MOST.

Much like Alabama football, I think most fans at UK are in a massive state of denial in the fact that modern college sports rarely allows for a dynasty of epic proportions.

Tubby left Georgia, and if any of us were in his place at the time - alliegences to the dawgs aside - we would have taken the supposed best job in b-ball. I mean come on… nobody in their right mind could blame him. I’m a rabid UGA fan, but for christs sake, we hang NIT banners in our arena, where UK wouldnt think about sweet 16 banners.

UK fans lost a great coach and it is their fault. Good luck… and remember dawg fans… this situation is totally good news for next year in the SEC East. UK will start over, UF loses their entire starting five, and vandy wont be as good. I firmly believe with next year’s returners, recruits and coach, we can finish 2nd to an amazing UT team next year and win 20 games in the reguar season.

good luck Tubby.

By wildcat74

March 22, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

hey Pj… Would you be satisfied with a 6-10 UGA football season in the SEC??

Would you be satisfied with getting Ohio valley state type players??

Would you be satisfied with aloha bowl appearances??

Didnt think so.

By Stegasaurus

March 22, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

Tubby got what he deserved for grabbing the brass ring. He took a job at a program that expected titles every year and won one in his first season. It was all downhill from there. Congrats, Tubby. You’re taking a job at a school in worse shape than UGA was when you got there. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Bwa-ha-ha-ha!

By pj

March 22, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

if we played 16 games, id just feel sorry for the players, you retard. UK basketball and Bama football have the most clueless fans in the sports world. You will NEVER win a championship every 3 years. It’s a ridiculous notion, and you need to get a grip.

By Tech is the bombdiggaddy

March 22, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

From a Tech outlook…..Tubby SUCKED as a recruiter and was a so-so coach. He won with Pitino’s players and NEVER won again. Face it, it is a racial thing, like it or not. He cant recruit the white role player/clutch shooter types it takes to win the whole deal. It’s the truth and it hurts. We have the same problem here on the Flats. No free-throw shooters, no dribblers, no inbounders. Self has em at Kansas. Williams has em at UNC. Donovan has em at Florida. Coincidence? I think not.

By dd

March 22, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Hindsight is 20/20.

Should have stayed @ UGA and worked on the Smith Arena instead of the Rupp Arena working on him.

By Dawg Fan

March 22, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

To the first poster, I quit reading your post when I realized you are an idiot. Thankfully I had already finished and didn’t miss much.

Bradley brought up race. Holy s*. The part you failed to read was that Bradley doesn’t think race had anything to do with his firing. Guess what, race is something this country still deals with. We can argue about how we’re dealing with it, but it’s a reality that Tubby was the 1st black coach at UK. Closing your eyes and pretending like race shouldn’t ever be brought up just proves you’re the one with issues.

Bradley didn’t go Terrance Moore here, and this collumn isn’t about race. Quit being such a closed-minded moron and don’t be scared to read things that you may potentially (although not in this case) disagree with.

Good luck getting out of the 20th century… the early 20th century.

And Good Luck Tubby.

By Tech SUCKS

March 22, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

You’re right. Paul Hewitt is losing because he can’t recruit white inbounders. Forget McDonald’s All-Americans, Tech needs a good whitey to get the ball inbounds. For sure.

Didn’t tech go to the championship game a couple of years ago? Wasn’t that the farthest they’ve ever made it? Who was their token white player that did such a good job inbounding the ball? IshMo? No, he was black. Jarret Jack? He must have been in blackface. Good call buddy. Congrats on the dumbest post of all time.

By DHD

March 22, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

Terrance…is that you??

By Ronnie

March 22, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this

Not only did Tubby shove Georgia to the curb on his sprint to KY, he took the time to kick GA in the shins by convincing Vince Dooley to hire Ron Jirsa. Jirsa!! What a jerk.

By LizDawg

March 23, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this

Speaking of Tubby, these Lane Bryants with the Spandex fit me to a TEE.

Someday I would like to go to Wildcat country and ride a stud like Barbaro. The tigger just isn’t getting the job done.

EQUIS!!!

By dawgster

March 23, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this

A typical atlanta writer—-bring up the race card to criticize every move by a team or individual.

By Steve

March 23, 2007 1:34 AM | Link to this

As I told my father and brother, who both love UK basketball and hate Tubby … UK fans are absolute idiots at best.

They complain about him losing ten games in many seasons, something Pitino never did .. so I outlined just how pathetic the schedules Pitino used to play were. In many seasons Pitino didn’t even face five ranked teams. Tubby has never played less than five.

As Bradly mentions, Pitino made himself bigger than the game, while Tubby just wanted to be a part of it. That is what I would prefer of a coach, but apparently not UK fans.

As for the fans that believe he is not recruiting top level talent .. it’s the top level talent that is KILLING your program. You were, and always have been a much better program when you recruited TEAM players and didn’t worry about some stupid recruiting blog touting how great your recruiting class was or was not. News flash, most of the top tier talent doesn’t win the NCAA Championship. Case in point, Florida had much better recruits a few years ago and they repeatedly got bounced in the tourney by lesser teams. Now, they have a team full of decent recruits, but most of them were not elite recruits. It’s called a TEAM.

Lastly, there might be a few coaches out there that are looking for work that are better than Tubby, but what makes you think any coach in that class would want to come coach at a school with fans who cannot understand that basketball parity is here to stay. Dynasties are no more. Learn that fact, or be forever disappointed.

One last point to make. Tubby has had to play in an SEC East division that is so much more competitive than it EVER was under Pitino. When is the last time three teams in the SEC East that did not include UK make it to the Sweet 16 ….

answer … NEVER.

The SEC East is no longer a cakewalk for UK, and it wouldn’t be no matter what UK team was playing in it .. past or present.

I feel bad for the UK fans who have a little common sense. I thoroughly hated Tubby for leaving UGA. I really thought we were going somewhere with him, and he turned traitor. Despite my dislike of the man, the way he was treated by UK fans, media, and school personnel was absolutely ridiculous.

By Showdog

March 23, 2007 2:14 AM | Link to this

Rupp and Bryant,yeah seems I remember they’re both dead,aren’t they? Nothing makes an unrealistic fan blush,like reality in today’s world. Are you listening Alabama and Kentucky fans?

By Michael

March 23, 2007 3:07 AM | Link to this

My bro Steve just likes seeing UK flounder. If the same thing were happening to his beloved Bulldog football team, you can bet he would be screaming for the coach’s ouster. He has an obvious double-standard. Okay to be a p** UGA fan with a winning 7-4 or 6-5 record, but be a UK fan p** at double digit losses and squeaking in to the tournament and “we’re all idiots”.

Tubby can’t recruit and he is a mediocre coach. His offense is the most painfully excurciating of all of college basketball. Only those that enjoy seeing UK wallow in mediocrity actually have good things to say about Tubby as a coach. I guess my brother loved Jim Donnan and Ray Goff since they acheived at UGA what Tubby acheived at UK…Mostly poor seasons, by fans standards.

By the way, to all that think racism is in play, if the coach that turned in back to back 10+ loss seasons at UK and only one good season in the past five, were black, white or martian, they would still have done a bad job. Especially had this coach subjected everyone to this offense. Only UK haters can cherry-pick their way to being fond of Tubby.

Ask them this, would you like for Tubby to wreck your team? Oh yeah, he is a UGA fan and his team has been wrecked since I was born, much like UK football.

By Tye

March 23, 2007 4:17 AM | Link to this

Let’s not forget that:

the people have spoken (yes, the little people) - Tubby left on his own accord- and the University of Kentucky is known for it’s Basketball program and NOT it’s SCHOOL of JOURNALISM.

By Nat White

March 23, 2007 5:39 AM | Link to this

Well said and 100% on the money. Sadly, only the post Tubby period will reveal the reality of the situation.

By UKFan

March 23, 2007 7:14 AM | Link to this

As a UK fan and resident of Kentucky, I’d like to say that I am glad to see Tubby leave. He sucked as a coach and he sucked at recruiting. I think at this point, we don’t necessarily want to win a title every year, but instead want a coach that actually gets off the bench and coaches instead of sitting on his a* through all the games.

By Sloan

March 23, 2007 7:18 AM | Link to this

Tubby is a fine family man, a good college coach, and recognizing a mistake this morning that he mad 10 years ago. Hindsight is always 20/20. He is no Rick Pitino and shouldn’t be ashamed that he isn’t. But his ambition got the better of him 10 years ago, and now he finds himself in a job that is certainly no better than the one he left 10 years ago to go to Kentucky. As a UGA alumni, I cannot feel sorry for the man and, as another posted said, will not pull for him at Minnesota. Tubby, after all we UGA basketball fans have been through in the past 10 years, I am almost as mad at you today as I was the day you left us.

By scott

March 23, 2007 7:52 AM | Link to this

Mark, your opinion is your opinion and you are entitled to one. However, stooping to name calling is without explanation. I have lost all respect.

By jay

March 23, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this

I longed for Tubby’s crash and burn after he and CM screwed UGA all those years ago. Hope he fails at Minn. too

Do I seem petty? Oh well.

By Jimmy the Geek

March 23, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

You can bet the farm on this one:

Tubby won’t be at Minnesota for more than three years. He simply wanted to get out of Kentucky RIGHT NOW.

In two or three years, he’ll jilt Minnesota … the same way he jilted UGA … for a “better” basketball school, or even the NBA.

And then, Mark, what will you have to say about St. Tubby?

By 59bulldawg

March 23, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this

Hey I understand all the bitterness still there 10 years after Tubby left Georgia. But he’s a class act and a great coach. It’s just a damn shame that he left a program that appreciated everything he did for one that questioned his very ability to coach and recruit. I still, like a lot a Dawg alums and fans, think about what could have been if he had just stayed. No Jirsa … no Harrick scandal … no rebuilding from the ashes … I mean it’s just a fricking shame that he left. However you can’t make someone love your school … either they do or they don’t. Tubby’s infatuation was with Kentucky and he made that clear when he came to Georgia. We Georgia folks were fortunate to have him for the few years that we did. But I will root for him at Minnesota and hope his teams do well … and perhaps even meet and beat Kentucky in the tournament sometime in the near future. And if Felton ever decides to move on, I would hope our AD would be first in line to buy his services again. Good luck Tubby! You’re a good man and a great coach!

By Dawg 4 Life

March 23, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

Come on Dawg fans get over the fact that Tubby left us. Would you turn down the Rolls over the Volkwagon, I didn’t think so? Who could blame the man for bettering himself.

Who can UK hire right now that is better than Tubby? I agree that expectations are unrealistic as the conference and whole NCAA has become so much more competitive. If you have won the SEC 5 out of 10 years, that is not laughable. UK will get what they deserve for never accepting a great coach who is a class act. Let’s see how many championships UK wins in the next 10 years?

Good luck at MN Tubby; you will do well as your track record proves it.

By p

March 23, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

Why get upset? If tubby had done a better job of coaching, recruiting and hiring assistants, this would not have happened.

At the end of the day, he was not good enough for kentucky. he knew there would be incredible pressure and he wasn’t enough coach to handle it.

Anyone that wants to dispute his poor recruiting should look at the kentucky class coming in next year. decent, but not close to a top 10 class.

At some schools, just making the the tournament is good enough. that’s fine, but not at kentucky, and good for them.

By jt

March 23, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

tubby was an above average coach that was able to take below average teams, and turn them into mediocre teams. he did it at tulsa, and he did it at uga. both of those schools had no b-ball history, and he turned them into NCAA teams. he also managed to make a “run” with both teams and got them to the sweet 16. but when it comes to taking a good team (uk) and elevating it to a great one, or even sustaining the level that it was used to, tubby didn’t stand a chance. that’s why he’s running off to minnesota, to take over another team that has little or no history of a winning program. that way when he gets them into the tourney in 3-4 years, everyone will think that he is the best thing since sliced bread all over again.

tubby is an average coach, nothing more, nothing less. uk is better off without him, if for no other reason than all of the controversy that he was bringing. there wasn’t a uk loss that didn’t have fans screaming for his head on the chopping block. now that he is gone, they can start over, and someone WILL want that job.

By DJ

March 23, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this

Mark your opinion is right on the money. What most so called basketball fans don’t understand is that if you look at the power house conferences, all the dominant programs has changed, the reason is those top rated recruits rarely stay in a program for four years. Race might not have anything to do with it but I don’t hear the fans at Duke saying get rid of their coach. He has had a successful program but he too is experiencing the same problem, kids leaving early. I applaud Tubby for not going out and begging arrogant kids to come into his program. I played on the college level many years ago and a great coach is one that can take kids of lesser talent and still win, Tubby has done just that for ten years. The thing I look at is the kids from his program become model professionals in the NBA and in life. Florida is winning because they have continued to have the same continuity of players for four years and simply adding role players. Tubby has been a credit to the game, without a doubt his presence will be missed at Kentucky and felt at Minnesota. TUBBY MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. Wishing you much success!!!!

By Don

March 23, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

Anybody who takes the job of head basketball coach at Kentucky knows he’s stepping into a pressure cooker. It has been that way forever. I remember being at an SEC tournament in the early 80’s and listening to Kentucky fans eviscerate Joe B. Hall, who had won a national championship 3 or 4 years prior (proving that even a mediocrity can win a national championship with great college players).

Tubby knew that his AD was going to dictate that he fire some assistants (long past overdue with the likes of David Hobbs) and also knew that if he had one more subpar year by Kentucky standards he would get the boot. He was sick of the pressure so he got out. Seems like a good solution for all involved. I’m not going to lose any sleep over a guy who left a $2.5 million job for another one paying $1.8 million.

Mark Bradley is incapable of writing anything remotely objective about Tubby Smith. After Tubby’s national championship with Pitino’s players, Bradley proclaimed him the best tournament coach in college basketball. Now that he can’t make such a claim without being ridiculed, Bradley is talking about what a nice man Tubby is.

By O LEE REED

March 23, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

Nice reference to racism. Gotta squeeze that in somewhere, don’t you? It’s basketball, not the KKK and the Black Panthers.

By Sad Fan

March 23, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree more with Mark and every blogger that points out, in different words, what a great coach and person Tubby is. The Kentucky fans that did nothing but criticize, and the jerk, AD Barnhart, are going to get what they deserve. Kentucky basketball fans now will have the same reputation to deal with that is equal to Alabama fans and their football…..No coach is Bear Bryant, so NO coach is good enough. Not a reputation to be proud of. However, I also totally agree with the bloggers about UGA and Tubby. You do have to wonder if somewhere in his thoughts,he doesn’t regret leaving a program where he was seen as the “savior” of the program. He was headed toward the great possiblity of being an icon at UGA.
Good Luck to Tubby. He deserves to coach where his talent is appreciated.

By WFC

March 23, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

I’m a GT fan and retired high school basketball coach. I, for one, was happy when Tubby left UGA because I knew that he would build a program there. Tubby’s problem at Kentucky was that he took over a religion rather than a basketball team. UK fans don’t seem to “get it” that there is a world outside of Lexington. B-ball is no longer “Hoosiers” circa 1953. I admire a lot of UK’s traditions… “the immortals” (Woods, Pelphry and those guys) but this is a new basketball world. All I say is that UK will be incredibly lucky to get a coach better than Tubby Smith.

By Jay

March 23, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

To all the fans of Kentucky. Your stupid and dumb to say that Tubby is a bad coach. If Tubby was white we wouldn’t hear all the Fire Tubby. The people who bleed blue in UK also bleed RACISM.Screw UK and all the Redneck,Country, Backwood, and Racist people of UK.Tubby better off without you.

By gdawginkalamazoo

March 23, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

59Bulldawg, my sentiments exactly. Thanks for saving me the time of having to type all that out.

It will be interesting to see who they get. When they take a high caliber guy like Tubby and run him out of town, what next high caliber guy is going to want to come in and get treated the same when he doesn’t win an NC every year?

pj, I like your comparison of KY BB = Bama FB.

By lw

March 23, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

I introduced myself to Coach Smith when he was in his second year at Georgia. He was with other coaches on a caravan around the state and I traveled to Albany, Ga., to see him. He’s one of the classiest people I’ve ever met and Georgia really, really hated to loose him. My high school had the Mr. Basketball Georgia that year and when I asked him if he was recruiting our guy, he very quickly said “no, I think we have someone better”. Our young man went to Georgia Tech, was never an impact player and finally wound up out in California sitting on the bench at Pepperdine. I’ve always loved Kentucky basketball of old, New York Yankees of old, the Baltimore Colts of old but what do all of these have in common. They are no longer what they were. You people at Kentucky have lost a great coach and a really good man. It’s you lose, not Coach Smith’s.

By randy

March 23, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

felton will be better for uga than tubby ever would have?

By ukfan

March 23, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Tubby is the man but it was time for him to go. I think this will be good for Tubby and his family as well a UK fans this should make everyone happy.

He was and will always be a great coach one of the elite. Bad recruiting choices was the problem. Some of you man know that Chris Lofton of Tennesse wanted to play for Kentucky. This was the same year we had Rondo and Crawford coming in a Tubby told him we did not have a scholarship for him. His reply was I will come on the team as a walk on. Tubby said sorry we can’t use you. We knew how good this guy was for crying out loud he was Mr. Kentucky Basketball his senior year of high schoool.

Does the name Corey Brewer ring a bell? That’s another guy who wanted to play for the Kats but was turned down. How much different would the Wildcats look with those 2 guys teaming up with Meeks and Morris. Can you SEC and NCAA CHAMPS.

Tubby we wish you the best you are a first class coach Minesota just got a huge upgrade.

Billy Donovan there is a seat for you on the bench in Rupp.

By p

March 23, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Any argument that compares tubby to coach k is moronic at best and just a plain lie at worst.

I don’t care where you played basketball.

By bh

March 23, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

LMAO. Who cares about KY in Atlanta/GA? That seems felt off top 1000 headlines in Georgia.

By Marshall

March 23, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Nobody is knocking Tubby’s character. He is a fine man. He simply is not fit to coach The Roman Empire of College Basketball. Under Tubby UK is just a top 20 program at best.

By iuneedsinbounders

March 23, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

indiana had a white inbounder throw the ball away at the end of the ucla game - is that why indiana lost? - i agree with Tech SUCKS, that was a ridiculous post - college basketball is so hugely popular now that parity is the rule of the day - they day of the dynasty is long gone and furthermore there will ALWAYS be a coaching carousel

By tetontom

March 23, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

UK; what a ‘joke’. They just shot themselves in the foot. This is a great example of living in the past rather than enjoying the present.

By Marshall

March 23, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

did anybody forget about UK not being able to get a shot off in the first overtime against Michigan St to go to the final four? how about the lane violation last week in the SEC tournament? how many more brain farts is it going to take?

By MART

March 23, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this

Tubby ran out the string. He never should have left Tulsa, and he’ll never be heard from again. C’est la vie (or however it’s spelled).

By Ron

March 23, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

I’m a UK grad and fan, and I have season tics at Vanderbilt so I can see UK play there. I’m not a racist, nut, etc., and I didn’t want Tubby to leave…You have a vocal minority, that the media listens to, not unlike are current political scene.

By John Green

March 23, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

Tubby is an idiot for leaving the Georgia Bulldogs and go to kentucky. Kentucky is a backwards state that is not progressing because of the low IQ individuals who live in that state. He was never appreciated when he was hired, because they wanted Billy Donovan. I am glad that he is leaving and going to coach at Minnesota. Even the Georgia Bulldog fans still appreciate Tubby although, he has not coached there in 10 years. Thanks, Professional Republican Black Guy who previously lived in Atlanta and had to move back to ‘hick’ kentucky. I am expediously trying to move away from this ‘hick’ state back to a state (Georgia) who appreciates all people.

By Dale

March 23, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

Money did not buy him happiness @ UK….but it IS in frigid Minnesota…..???? PLEASE!!!

Perhaps, as old grey headed Tubby shuffles thru the snow to his Mercedes in sub zero Minneapolis, he’ll think…what if? What if…. I had been a man of my word and stayed at UGA? They loved (past tense) me there, called the arena ” the Tub”. Damon Evans would be my boss…ahhh and oh, yeah, I could have had the unbelievable thrill and privilege of coaching all 3 of my sons in college basketball @ UGA..…instead of leaving my son GG at UGA, having the no win situation of playing my son Saul @ UK, and beating my son Brian @ Ole Miss .what if???? what if??

Oh well, Donna pass the caviar dear and wow, you look good in maroon and gold!!

By dj

March 23, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

P, I can tell you know absolutely nothing about the game, Coach K is an excellent coach, but if you asked him, he too would tell you that Tubby is equally as impressive as a coach. Recruiting will always be a gamble, many great high school bb players don’t turn into great college players.

By kjio

March 23, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

Most of you people know very little about basketball, let alone KENTUCKY basketball.

By gr

March 23, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

This is a very good column, and sj why did you stop reading when Race was mentioned? I am thinking you stopped because the truth hurts. Smith will be fine where ever he goes, he’s that type of cosach

By Robert

March 23, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Two thoughts one Tubby can not recruit and as a bench coach maybe but that makes him a great assistant not a great head coach. and second is it seems this is another mediocre coach who has good or even great stats but just can’t really deliver the big wins or the exctitement of a pitino, why do Georgians long and pine for the mediocre coanches? Championships, and lets not kid ourselves that is the point, start at the top with a quality coach who brings the energy and attitude. He doesn’t have to be a great coach but he must surround himself with great coaches and players.

By wes

March 23, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

Mark, please move back to Kentucky.

Nobody cares.

By jihf

March 23, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

Hey John Green—” Kentucky is a backwards state that is not progressing because of the low IQ individuals who live in that state. “

That is the funniest thing Ive ever heard from someone from GEORGIA!!!!!

Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off!!

By Nola

March 23, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

What a great article, Mark. You are right on it. I have been a KY fan through the years also, but the expectations are just too much. I admire and appreciate your honesty. I hope Donovan doesn’t think he can win every game at KY. I’m sure there are some coaches out there that think they can win them all. Thanks again for a great and honest assessment.

By Jim C

March 23, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

Kentucky Basketball is a religion. We have high standards for our team as well as all other programs do for theres. Kentucky has been a power and we want to continue that. Tubby came in after a great man (Pitino). But he changed UK ball (fast paced and in your face) to GA ball (slow tempo). We need in a coach that will work on fitness and moving the ball up and down the court quickly. Yes he one a national title and the SEC crown. But his recruiting methods killed us. YOu can not build a program on average players alone. When you do not recruit in the top 100 of the kids out there you are not going to have success for long. Not to say that some mid majors do not have success but to be in the elite you need big players that are going to produce. Kentucky has not been on anyones shortlist since Tubby came to Kentucky. Lets get them back and get back to the top.

By george

March 23, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

Anyone want to bet Kentucky will not be looking for a coach in just a few years? The fans should get a grip on unrealistic expectations. The days of one team dominating any sport are over, i.e. Yankees, Celtics, Canadians, UCLA. You will deserve what you get Wildcat fans.

By gr

March 23, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

Hey Tech is the bombdiggaddy, you are a serious joke on sports. What you just posted is the worst I have ever seen. Question! Who was the white player on last years championship team?

By RedandBlackAttack

March 23, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

Kentucky took Tubby from Georgia and has now run him and his class act away to Minnesota of all places. Tubby has said enough and that coaching at Minnesota is better than the job at Kentucky. Well done Tubby Smith. UK will not find anyone better than what they had in Tubby Smith.

Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it. Kentucky just got it. Let the big Dog eat. Go Dogs!!!

By DT

March 23, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

Good for Tubby.

Screw KY.

If Vince Dooley was worth what his big head tells him it is, he would’ve been able to explain to Tubby that this is exactly how things would pan out.

Vince would’ve told Tubby that he was leaving an institution that is second to none, but that was in desperate need of a program builder and eventual icon, for an institution that will never be able to live up to its expectations. He would win there, but the fans would never be happy because they’d always be thinking about someone else. And he’d eventually leave in a disgruntled fashion.

Alternatively, he could stay at UGA, win big in cycles, and have an incredibly devoted fan base that stuck with him on the downturns. But most importantly, he’d make Georgia into a baskeball powerhouse from the ground up, with his, and only his name on it.

If I had been AD then, Tubby would still be at Georgia, Stegman would’ve been renamed “The Tub”, Georgia fans would be scrambling for final four tickets right now, and Billy Donovan would have some real competition from Georgia.

Just like Bama. KY is in for a tough slog in the next decade.

By James

March 23, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

good riddance to tubby. here’s why:

First UK coach to go 8 straight years without a final four.

—First UK coach to have to play on Thursday in an SEC tournament since the expansion to the current 12 team format.

—The First UK coach to lose 10 or more games three years in a row, and 4 of the last 7 years.

—The first UK coach to lose to Vandy in Rupp

—The first UK coach to be swept by Vandy in a season in 32 years

—The first UK coach to lose 4 straight to an SEC opponent in 30 years.

—Only coach to lose to Ole Miss at Rupp

—Only coach to lose to Vandy twice at Rupp

—Only coach to lose 4 home games to SEC Opponents

—More Home losses than any previous UK coach

—Most Double Digit loss seasons of any UK coach

—1st UK coach to not finish at least 2nd in the East since the SEC expansion

—Most transfers and problem players of any UK coach

—Never recruited a player to play in a final four in 16 years as a head coach

—Fewest NBA draft picks of any coach with at least 5 years (only 2 1st rounders in 10 years)

—47% of his recruits don’t make their senior year

—Current 5 game losing streak to florida could soon be a new record

—Only coach with the overall #1 seed in the NCAA to lose in the 2nd round

—Lowest Average Points Scored Per Game since the 3 point shot was introduced

—Worst loss to Indiana ever (26 points)

—Only UK coach to lose consecutive games to Kansas

—Worst Loss on Senior Day since 1919

—Only UK coach with a losing record vs Michigan State (2-4)

—Only coach to ever lose to a number 1 ranked team at rupp.

—Only coach to ever begin the season ranked in the top 10 and finish the season unranked.

—Worst average attendance at Rupp Arena for one season, under Tubby (00-01 avg.21,014), since it opened in 1976.

—Rupp Arena hasn’t averaged 23,000+ since the 98-99 season in other words attendance is down due to his slower style of play.

—Has only defeated one Top 20 team in the NCAA tourney since 1998 (#18 Utah in 2005). Also, has not defeated a single team seeded 1 - 4 in the NCAA tourney since 1998.

—Is this our first season with 0 wins against ranked opponents going into the tournaments in 33 years.

—From 1902-03 to 1997 Kentucky had only lost a total of 11 ten loss seasons, Since Tubby has been at UK he has already lost 5 more to that total in 10 years.

This shows how much Tubby has let the program fall over the last 2 years. These our are regular season stats:

Won/Loss record: Probation - 36-20 (64.29%) Past 2 yrs - 38-20 (65.52%)

SEC record: Probation - 24-12 (66.67%) Past 2 yrs - 17-13 (56.67%)

Wins against ranked opponents: Probation - 5-6 (45.45%) Past 2 yrs - 3-12 (20.00%) —Outside of probation, this will mark the first time we have finished back to back seasons unranked since 1959-1961 (46 years).

—Already the most losses over a two year period (outside of probation era) in the history of our school.

Keeping these in mind, which way would a trend line point, up or down?

Percentage of games ranked in top 5: Tubby 16% Pitino 59% (53% if you include probation year)

Number of games in top 5: Tubby in 326 games ranked 54 games in top 5 Pitino in 269 games ranked 142 games in top 5

Number of Home losses: Tubby 19 Pitino 5 (7 if you include probation year)

10+ loss seasons: Tubby 4 (in 7 years - soon to be 5 in 8 ) Pitino 0 (1 if you include the probation year)

Average number of losses per year: Tubby 7.9 (about to push that up over 8 ) Pitino 4.8(throwing out the 1st year)

Games played as #1 ranking: Pitino 10 Tubby 4 Games played as #2 ranking: Pitino 44 Tubby 14 Games played as #3 ranking: Pitino 33 Tubby 10 Games played as #4 ranking: Pitino 18 Tubby 15 Games played as #5 ranking: Pitino 37 Tubby 11 Total games with top 5 ranking: Pitino 142 Tubby 54

Team Turmoils: Tubby 2 Pitino 0

Transfers out of the Program: Tubby 14 Pitino 7

NBA 1st round draft picks: Tubby 2 Pitino 10

Rick Pitino’s 1st year 14-14 probation team averaged more than 10 ppg than ANY Tubby Smith team except 2. It averaged 8.9 ppg more than those 2 teams.

Rick Pitino - Points per Game 1989-90 88.82 1990-91 85.89 1991-92 85.72 1992-93 87.50 1993-94 86.88 1994-95 87.39 1995-96 91.44 1996-97 83.13

Tubby Smith takes over 1997-98 80.08 1998-99 75.41 1999-00 69.09 2000-01 79.79 2001-02 76.88 2002-03 77.28 2003-04 73.91 2004-05 73.62 2005-06 70.77 2006-07 72.32

Final Fours Pitino 5 (3 at Kentucky) Tubby 1

Championship games Pitino 2 Tubby 1

NCAA tournament Pitino 22-5 (.783) (at Kentucky) Tubby is 23-8 (.663) (at Kentucky)

*Pitino beat 11 teams seeded 5th or higher in 6 NCAA Tournaments.

*Tubby has beaten 4 teams seeded 5th or higher in 9 NCAA Tournaments.

*Tubby has beaten just one team seeded 5th or higher since his first season at Kentucky.

By sg

March 23, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

I believe KY fans conduct themselves with true Southern hospitality at all times. As a sec fan and UK alumni I have traveled to many games and seen the lack of class at many schools.

Tubby conducted himself with class and dignity. Results, however, are the bottom line. He was correct to leave. Mediocre results for the past several seasons. We don’t expect a championship every year but there is no excuse for not making it past the first couple of rounds in the tournament.

Leave the race card out. If race ever had anything to do with it —- we would never have hired him. Change is good.

By CobraKai

March 23, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

KY fans are so tiring. They are definitely the basketball equivalent of Alabama football fans- their statements and beliefs regarding KY basketball are delusional. As a Dawg fan, Tubby did remarkable things in his 2 years in Athens. Go back and look at the rosters for those 2 teams- other than Shandon Anderson (NBA journeyman), I challenge you to find even a sniff of NBA talent; yet he made the Sweet 16 in his first year and earned a # 3 seed the following year. And for the whole “Tubby won the National Title with Pitino’s players” argument- what players did Pitino leave him? That championship team started such “studs” as Sheppard, Mohammed, Padgett, Turner and A. Edwards. The first guy off the bench was some guy named Heshimu. So it wasn’t exactly like Tubby was working with a bunch of Ron Mercer’s, Derek Anderson’s and Antoine Walker’s to win it all. Tubby is also a good recruiter- although he left UGA early, he brought in Jumaine Jones and would have had other great recruits had he stayed. He continued to land big names at KY, but the unrealistic expectations of KY fans promote the appearance that he wasn’t able to recruit. Really, the KY basketball fans are just plain laughable.

By JLM

March 23, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Great article! Perhaps this is a job for a UK alum. The Kentucky nation fail to understand the parity between major and mid-major programs today are closer than ever. Players are electing not to go big name programs only, but take a chance in helping build a natioanl caliber program.

By Tara

March 23, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

As a cradle UK fan, I am thrilled Tubby is going to a school that may truly appreciate his talents on and off the court. I have always been a fan of Tubby’s (now living in Georgia…) and because of all the #$@^%&* KY fans gave him, have considered changing colors. I love KY basketball, but the fans……well…..Tara

By tdawg

March 23, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Kentucky will NOT find a better coach. The SEC is no longer a weak basketball conference. Look at TN, VAN, FL in sweet 16. The reason KY is not winning like it used to is not because KY has gone down hill it is because their competition has raised their level to KY’s.

By Michael N.

March 23, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

I was in Las Vegas at a blackjack table with some real country folk from Kentucky. It was right after UK hired Tubby and they were big UK fans and when I asked them how they felt about UK hiring Tubby, a women replied….” I don’t want that n**r coaching my basketball team”……it blew me away! She said it in a way that was even worse than it sounds. That pretty much sums up all the nonsense that Tubby Smith had to deal with at UK.

Mike-

By jackson677

March 23, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

A stat no one brings up is 25 loses in two years, while starting three or four Mc Donald’s All Americans, and with two seven foot back-up centers. Grind it out half court game? Should have won more than that with thoses weapons.

Player development, recuriting, style, tempo, or coaching staff… I don’t know, (who does?), what went wrong, but you can’t afford to lose 25 games in 2 season many with all those tools.

(For you football fans that equates to losing 10 or 11 games in two seasons including a loss in the Great Lakes bowl.)

Good man? One of the best. Best wished to Tubby and his family, a class act.

It still comes back to 25 loses in two seasons. Look it up. When was the last time, other than the pre and post probation years?

And yes the little weasel from the Northwest, with his Tennessee ties, will find a coach from the Northwest, a buddy, a pal and hand him the job.

If he does, 25 loses in 2 seasons will then be the norm for Kentucky Basketball.

By Jack

March 23, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Bradley is right, and the same could be said about Alabama and how they treat their football coahces.

By m

March 23, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Why does Kinnntucky have all the luck? Why couldn’t it have been CHAN GAILEY who took a hint and hauled it to Minnesota…or Siberia….or somewhere?! Please Lord, let this GAILEY nightmare be over SOON!!!

By abr

March 23, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

The fact is that Kentucky, who has dominated SEC basketball more than any other team has dominated any sport in the SEC, has not been to the final four in nine years. That is the longest drought in school history. Both sides needed a change. Kentucky will get Donovan, who assisted there, but will pay out the a$$ for it and will be back to their dominate ways. Minnesota will too win, so both will eventually be happy. Class act by Kentucky to pay out his incentives when they have no obligation to do so.

By kyblu

March 23, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Why will KY not find a better coach. It is one of the two premier jobs in the country.

We are UK not UGA. We dont accept mediocrity at UK. Tubby may have been a king for bring UGA from crap to so-so, but those results are not good enough at UK.

Talent enough for 3 NCAA tourney final games to starting players like booby perry and sheray thomas???!?!?!

Again, acceptable at UGA, not UK.

Tbby thrives at places like UGA, Tulsa and will do so at MN.

UK doesnt expect a champioship every year, but we expect to have top notch telent and to compete, not come in 4th in the conference and loss in the 2nd round.

By ballcoach

March 23, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Should have stayed at Georgia. I mean if you had won a national championship, 5 SEC Titles, and 10 consecutive NCAA Tournaments at Georgia you would have been treated like royalty.

By Ron D

March 23, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Great article Mark! I agree with you. Coach Smith’s departure is a loss to Kentucky. I also agree that his race was not a factor in the unappreciative fan base that wanted him removed. The Gators are having a good run but their program will probably suffer a big hit next year with the possible departure of several key players. The days of a dominant b-ball program are over.

By Nick Humble

March 23, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Yes, he was a good solid man and a good coach. Not a very good recruiter or communicator which is also part of the job. Being a Kentucky coach is not about being good, it is about being the very best. There is good and there is Kentucky good, unfortunately, Tubby was not Kentucky good. Had he been the CEO of a major corporation for 10 years and watched as his competitors caught and passed him he would have been out, probably long before this. What is the difference? I wish him well and I think he will continue to do what he has always done, so he will continue to get the results he has always gotten. I’m sure Minnesota will be happy to get into the tournament and win a game. I would be very disappointed if Kentucky would settle for that.

By Jason

March 23, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

Tubby is a quitter. Simple and plain

By Go UCLA

March 23, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Kyblu: Come back and tell us what you think after you spend the next three years at the NIT. Perhaps then ya’ll will learn that the world doesn’t revolve around Rupp Arena anymore. If you don’t expect a championship every year, I’m not sure what Tubby was fired. Here’s several reasons why you won’t win a championship in the next ten years: UCLA, Florida, Duke, Maryland, Kansas, UNC, and mid-majors. Hurts, doesn’t it? Next time recognize and appreciate the time it is in college hoops today. True, you’ve got the sexy fan in the stands (Ashley Judd), but unless she has exceptional ball handling skills, court vision and a dependable 15-foot jumper, I don’t see much happening for ya’ll for a while.

By mcdawg

March 23, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

within 2 years the gophers will be playing in the big dance—Kentucky’s loss-well said

By Chris

March 23, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

You’re clueless. Rick Pitino took Kentucky to 3 Final Fours in five years. He inherited a team on PROBATION and accomplished this. Everyone wants to win it all, but we measure our success on Final Fours. Tubby Smith simply didn’t get the job done. 3 in five years vs. 1 in ten years — and you have the audacity to suggest Tubby Smith is a better bench coach than Rick Pitino? B.S.!

Is the program better off now than when Tubby Smith took over? Absolutely not, and that’s the bottom line. The only reason Kentucky’s new coach will struggle next year is because of the roster mess Tubby Smith has created. Keep on believing that the game has changed, our expectations are too high, we’re spoiled, etc. but Kentucky is better than multi-digit losses in 5 out of the last 8 seasons.

Parity, huh? Last time I checked, UCLA has been in back-to-back Elite 8’s. So has Memphis. Florida may be headed to another Final Four. UNC, fresh off a national title a few years ago, is poised for another Final Four run. Michigan State has been to FOUR Final Fours in the last ten years, compared to Tubby’s one. John Brady has just as many Final Four trips as Tubby Smith.

Yea, you’re right, it’s Kentucky’s loss.

By DT

March 23, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

James,

Why don’t you get KY to hire Pitino back then.

If Rick Pitino is such a good fit at KY, and KY is such a great place to be, just hire him back.

To get an idea of what the next ten years of your baskeball life are going to be like, take a look at what’s been happening in Tuscaloosa over the past 15.

Have fun with that.

By Bryan Hildreth

March 23, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

This is obviously another writer that is misinformed. Its was the fans fault that Tubby was consistently late in recruiting, signing projects and what not. IT IS NOT NOT NOT NOT a race issue, I wouldn’t mind seeing Mike Anderson at UK. You writers always go for the sensational gimics. Guys Tubby got out because without Randolf Morris next year was just going to be awful, like a .500 season. If you want to read the truth then check out Doyle’s article on CBS sportsline.

By pghman

March 23, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

UGA fans are really comical,when Tubby arrived here UGA hoops were a big SEC zero. I think he made a error leaving a program he could have made his own mark in…Taking the UK job after a cult figure “slick Rick” was certainly a mistake…But UK fans get this… this is not Rupps segregated SEC, no team in the conference will ever hold that domination again, get over it..A UK fan told me UGA never beat them under Rupp, maybe so…but those days are long since past…For you own sanity UK fans get real!!!

By Ed

March 23, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

There’s an article at cnnsi.com by a writer named Reed who not only plays the race card a la Mark Bradley, but he pretty much slams the entire State of Kentucky and anyone who is to the right of Ted Kennedy (actually throwing in references to gay marriage in the process!).

I don’t understand the media’s insane obsession with race. Tubby left Georgia (a job with much less pressure and hassle) for Kentucky 10 years ago to take one of the highest profile jobs in America, becoming extremely wealthy in the process. He left Kentucky voluntarily to take another job that will provide similar pay for much less pressure. If he’s a victim of racism, I wish someone would victimize me in a similar way. I could use that kind of “aggravation.”

By Tulsa A. Dawg

March 23, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Maybe the basketball Gods will smile on UGA after all this. Maybe, UK will take Dennis Felton from UGA.

Afterall, they deserve each other.

By James

March 23, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley, You are a jackass

By Notakentuckyfan

March 23, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Kentucky is a legend only in Kentucky fans minds. UNC coaches have a winning record against every UK coach (Rupp, Petino, Tubby - and yes Tubby is a class guy and great coach)! UNC also dominates UK in head-to-head! If UK had played in the ACC all these years, they would be a mid-tier team in the ACC! Tubby, best of luck -you deserve better support than what you have been getting!

By philboyd sludge

March 23, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

I was an enormous Tubby fan for 6-7 years, and continued to support him doggedly until fairly recently.

But if you think recruiting classes of Bobby Perry, Sheray Thomas, Shagari Alleyne and Lucacz Obrutz one year and Jared Carter and Adam Williams another, not to mention this year’s class of two kids ranked outside the top 150 by nearly all recruiting analysts, is earning the highest college basketball coaching salary ever paid, you know even less than your writing reveals.

Tubby got tired of selling himself and UK to 18 year old prima donnas sometime after the Rashad Carruth debacle. He got lazy, and convinced himself that with his excellent in game skills he could do ‘well enough’ without top ten talent. We can all udnerstand job burnout. And I can even admire Tubby’s unwillingness to match oily sales pitches and half-truths with the likes of Roy Williams. But, alas, that is the job, especially at Kentucky. A lot is wrong with the system, but if you don’t want to participate, then don’t take the money and status. I credit Tubby belatedly with understanding the UK stage just wasn’t for him. But I don’t blame the people of Kentucky who have given their money, support and souls to a basketball team for generation after generation for demanding someone willing to pay the price.

By m

March 23, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Maybe UK will take Paul Hewitt or maybe some High School will.

By Bo

March 23, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

James it takes one to know one.

By JSS

March 23, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Who knew that Tubby finally getting his brain back would give me a chance to take a frontal shot at demented SEC fans, but life is truly good… UGA will always be fighitng with Vandy, Ole Miss, and the bottom dwellers because their fans have no clue of what it means to stand Olympus and NEVER want to leave it… I guarantee you it will be 15 years before the cow school replace that rodeo arena!!! Deep pocket, rich alumni HA HA HA HA!!! Go out to Fayetteville and see what REAL DEEP POCKETS mean… UKY better get an idea quick regarding this matter. RUPP is not MSG, time to move on horse breeders… Either renovate it from top to bottom or tear it down!!! Go ask Michigan about what happens when don’t believe you need facilities…

To all of you Lexington folks get ready for the 2nd coming of a visit from the horsemen of the apocalypse (the NCAA infractions committee) that tore you apart when Eddie Sutton ran your program… You are too willing to sell your soul for a D! basketball title… Two words of advice: “Grow Up!!!” The same thing goes for Athens…

By starchief

March 23, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Most people agree that, right now, what transpired was the best for everyone involved. Only time will reveal whether it was a mistake on the part of UK fans. Let’s let it go at that.

By Victoria Wins

March 23, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

No one really wants to come out and say what all African Americans already now, That in todays world we are not viewed equally. Its not good enough for us to be as good as white coaches, but we have to be 10x’s better than them in order to get any kind of respect!As Athletes this is usually the norm so its no big deal, but as coaches the white population still judge African American coaches with a different standard, and the only time we are accepted is when there is NO question we are the best in our area.Everyone knows that Kentucky didn’t really want a black head coach over there, this is the same school who’s beloved head coach didn’t even want black players. But anyway, they won’t get Billy Donavan from florida, so the next coach who comes in and doesn’t win big early..I wonder who you will dog out then? Black America knows this move was nothing but racial!

By ky fan

March 23, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

What a one-sided article. Please.

By Troy E.

March 23, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

As a lifelong member of the Big Blue Nation, I stopped reading Mark Bradley the day I moved to Atlanta. He might think we are embarrassing as a fanbase, but most of us think he is embarrassing to us as an alum. Bradley, go to Minneapolis and write for Tubby.

By ABR

March 23, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Notakentuckyfan, your an idiot. Doesn’t UK have more national championships than UNC. Thats what I thought. Until recently, year end and year out UK and the SEC have dominated the ACC. Check out the overall head to head between schools and conferences. I think your just mad because UK has more overall wins and tournment appearances. You must be carolina blue in the face.

By ky fan

March 23, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Cut to the chase, who is our new coah. tubby is gone, get over it. He got paid 2 million a year for winning, not being a nice coach that was respected by his peers.

Tubby will be fine, could not have went down any better for both sides. tubby gets out of the lime-light and goes to Minnesota and collect his 1.8 mil a year with expections of finishing 5 in the Big 10 every year and winning a NCAA tournament game every 3/4 years — Good fit for him, now lets go get a winner and pay them 3 mil

By ky fan

March 23, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Cut to the chase, who is our new coah. tubby is gone, get over it. He got paid 2 million a year for winning, not being a nice coach that was respected by his peers.

Tubby will be fine, could not have went down any better for both sides. tubby gets out of the lime-light and goes to Minnesota and collect his 1.8 mil a year with expections of finishing 5 in the Big 10 every year and winning a NCAA tournament game every 3/4 years — Good fit for him, now lets go get a winner and pay them 3 mil

By ikie12pts

March 23, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Tubby was/is a class act and I want to apologize for the rednecks who wanted him gone. Having said that, there was a clear majority of educated people, who wanted someone else. Kentuckians want an uptempo style of play…run and gun…and someone who can earn the respect of the players. I’m not saying that players did no respect him. I think Tubby was too easy-going on some of the spoiled little brats (Rod Carruth….) Tubby’s ego wasn’t large enough to combat a lot of the criticism.

By Elliot

March 23, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

If Duke has another year or two like this one Duke fans will be saying the same things about Coach K. Come to think of it, some of them already are.

By Mark

March 23, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

This morning, when I opened my morning paper and read your tear-stained article, I felt as though I’d had my butt kicked - long before getting into traffic on I-285.

Your bitterness and unfair indictment of all UK fans over Tubby leaving for Minnesota is duly noted.

Some of the biggest fans and worst critics of UK never even filled out an enrollment application.

This is a story that has two sides and I’ll be waiting for you to present the other on another day. Barnhart a weasel? What does that mean, wordsmith? And you might try to help us numchucks who pay for the morning fishwrapper to understand why KY recruits the likes of Obrzut, Perry, or Bradley

Perhaps after your anguish is diminished.

By Mayretta_Dawg

March 23, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

I cannot believe you KY fans equate 20 game win seasons as 6-4 in football. This blog is so long and the only statements rattling over and over in my head are, “he can’t coach and he can’t recruit.” I thought the KY was knowledgeable about Basketball, since when do 5 star recruits = success? Let’s look at it from a UGA football perspective, David Greene and David Pollack were nowhere near 5 star recruits and look what they did for UGA. Also, see that stud receiver Rice at South Carolina… Bottom line Kentucky fans is YOU ARE THE BAMA FANS OF BASKETBALL. I know that statement also rings on and on in this blog but it’s true! The arrogance that Donnovan is going to jump ship for Kentucky because he was a UK assistant, how laughable!!! Oh, he’ll probably interview and all that good stuff; TO GET A RAISE!!!! I read on Kentucky’s rivals site that Pitino will be back. Are you kidding me???!!! Steve, you wrote an excellent passage earlier and nobody could touch your well thought out points for Tubby. Just answer these questions Cat fans: Wasn’t the overall talent in the SEC less when Pitino coached? Did he play the level of OOC teams that Tubby ventured out to play? You also mentioned that no coach in KY history lost to Vandy as many times as Tubby. Who is in the Sweet 16 again? Oh, and speaking of Sweet 16, there were no SEC West teams anywhere near the sweet 16. You need to realize that the SEC East is a force to reckon with and for you, it just got a lot tougher. Stupidity loves company huh? You will get what you deserve soon, book it. I can see the comments yelled while leaving Rupp Arena after another Wildcat loss, “this is Tubby’s fault, he left us with no talent.” LOL!!!! No more 20 win seasons for you!

By Bob

March 23, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

As a long time UK fan (30 years now), I must stand up for MOST of us. There were several stupid people calling for his head. And it is true that when Tubby was hired, people freaked out b/c he wasn’t white. But most of the real UK basketball fans, the ones who know the game and follow it, never asked for him to leave. I am not happy that we have not won a title lately and I am not happy that we lost so many games the past couple years, but basketball today is not what it was 10 years ago. Tubby is not a bad recruiter. He just doesn’t want the player who is going to cause problems on the team and leave in a year. When he did get those types of players (Rondo) it blew up in his face. No one mentions that his players averaged better than a 3.0 in school and still won 20+ games a year. I am ashamed of a lot of so called UK fans out there. We will get another coach who wants a chance at “The Big Blue Show” and he will be run off to. The comparison to Bama Football is one I have made for years and is very accurate. I hope Tubby has a great career at Minnesota. I hope they treat him the way one of the best coaches to ever hit the college hardwood should be treated. That is what he deserves. And people should quit bringing up Pitino. First of all, it was a different era in the game. Second of all, the players he recruited were not the fun and gun style that people seem to think. They were the slow, no named, fundamental players that weren’t highly recruited. Third, he thinks UK has made a mistake here and has come out and said it. Finally, He left UK and is now coaching the one team outside of Duke that we all hate the most. Get over it. Until someone clones Rupp and Bear, there are going to be 2 very unhappy programs for years to come.

By Pitbull

March 23, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Tubby should have never left UGA and “The Tub” 10 years ago. Everyone at UGA was crazy about him and his program. It took a painful journey for UGA to find another coach that is now embraced as much as Tubby. I hope Coach Felton doesn’t make the same mistake.

By PB

March 23, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

Kentucky needs a coach who will get back to the old “Win at any cost, rules be dam*ed” foundation that Kentucky has built it’s success on. Tubby struggled with recruiting because he tried to do things right, without $100 handshakes and Emery air freight packages. (That is why John Calipari would be perfect for them) A guy who wins a national championship and 5 tournament titles, made 14 straight NCAA tournament appearances and 14 consecutive 20 win seasons should be coveted, not ran out of town.

By greg

March 23, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

I have no respect for Tubby.

The day after he was announced as the new coach at UK, he was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at a memorial service in the Northeast Georgia community of Lavonia.The service was to honor a middle school basketball player who died of a heart ailment during a basketball contest a month or so earlier.

Not only did Tubby not show for the service but he did not contact anyone to let them no he would be a no-show. Yes, there was a lot going on in his life at that time but this family and their loved ones deserved better—at the very least a taped message, certainly a phone call.

As I said earlier, I have no respect for Tubby. He was too good for Georgia and too good to honor a very important commitment.

By Emily

March 23, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Yes, Wildcat fans have high expectations. We want more banners to hang from the rafters. We want to win each and every game! Guess what, Tubby Smith knew that when he took the job. Everyone knows it. I can guarantee you the next coach will know it too. As for Tubby smith’s race being a factor, that is idiotic. It’s all about winning. Haven’t you heard….In Kentucky, it’s not a game it’s a way of life.
This is big blue country! Deal with it.

By Jonas Salk

March 23, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

Famous last words by an AD. The head coach has my complete backing. He made it last week, Tubby disappears this week.

By Paul

March 23, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Read Brad’s posting.

Those are the statements of a true college sports fan.

I agree with his comments.

By mr_natural

March 23, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

I agree partially with Matthew At The SLC , “Tubby’s first mistake was leaving UGA”. As far as the comment “Tubby should have just stayed where he would have been King, much like Donovan now is at Florida”. Afraid not. He wouldn’t be king at UGA, he would be playing 2nd fiddle to Mark Richt, just like Donovan is not king at FL. Do you realize FL did not sell out all it’s home games this year despite winning the national championship last year and returning all 5 starters.

BTW, isn’t UGA the same school that ran Jim Donnan out of town despite the fact he won at least 7 or 8 games every year.

By Was Time to Go

March 23, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Tubby had not recruited the caliber of players it takes to win a conference title much less a national title. He put well-coached teams on the floor that were good but not to Kentucky standards. KY does have higher expectations and he could not meet them. Hope he wins at MN but it was time for him to go.

By fayncbird

March 23, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Matt at SLC hit it on the head. The day Tubby took the job at UKKK, I knew he was going to run into this problem. Tubby is a great coach and UKKK is going to regret this, but Tubby made the following mistakes. 1) Leaving UGA. It is not far-fetched to think that Tubby would have won two national championships at UGA. With a man like Tubby at the helm, the Kwame Browns and Louis Williams of the Georgia basketball world come to UGA instead making dumb decisions to jump to the NBA. Heck, even Dwight Howard would have signed with UGA under those circumstances. 2) Not leaving UKKK in 2002. 2002?? Yeah, like the year Nolan Richardson was fired from Arkansas. Tubby should have figured that if a school that does not have the racist history like UKKK can wrongfully dismiss a good black head coach, then those racists at UKKK would have no problem getting rid of him. 3) Not coming back to UGA after that tumultuous 2003 season under Jim the cheater Harrick. When all is said ans done, UKKK was wrong (as usual) and Tubby was even more wrong for thinking that things had changed in the lilly-white basketball world of UKKK (never will!).

By Ozell

March 23, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Tubby Smith, an African-American who got to walk the sidelines at Kentucky for ten years. He did them proud. Race had nothing to do with his dismissal. It was just time for Tubby to move on. Good Luck coach. Lookout Big 10!

By Tulsa A. Dawg

March 23, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, UK won’t take felton, b/c he’s never won over .500 in the SEC in all his years at Georgia. I can dream though can’t i?

By drew

March 23, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Mark I think you are a good writer, and I enjoy reading your columns. Go Dawgs.

By Allan

March 23, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Tubby was good coach and generally recruited players of similar abilities and mostly good character. But as a team there was not always chemistry. The play was mostly slow and too methodical. The winning percentage was above average but to paraphrase BB King, the thrill was gone. As a fan of Kentucky basketball, I found the offense for the most recent teams to be average at best. The players seemed to be capable of more but the Tubby style was one of control. It is not possible win a championship every year but it would be nice to have a competitive team that is exciting to watch. Kansas, for one, has been able to do this, why not Kentucky? Winning a lot of games is not everything but a winning atmosphere is important. Good luck to Tubby. By the way, the race card was poorly played. I don’t see Tubby’s color as important.

By GT

March 23, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

Bradley’s article would make a lot of sense if it wasn’t for one little factor. The people of Kentucky paid Smith a lot of cash and when he accepted that cash he is placing a certain obligation on himself that they will get their money’s worth. I think I saw 1.8 million a year somewhere. The coach at Winthrop was bringing home about 260 thousand not enough to cover Tubby’s taxes and the new contract offer was 400,000 still a light year away from our boy Tubby. Marshall stays at Winthrop because he likes the low expectations and since they can barely pay him minimum wage the expectations will continue to be minimum. I let you in on a little secret, Mark. When Minnesota starts writing the checks and Tubby doesn’t do something special they are not going to like it any more than the bluegrass gang. It might not take as much to do something special but he is not going to have the quality of players to recruit from he had in Kentucky so the results will be watered down too.

By College Ballin

March 23, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

I was going to school in Tulsa when Tubby was out there and even though our school had Coach Bill Self, I have always followed Tubby’s career. I mean to be able to do what he did at TU was a great coaching job and to see now, even with his resume at UK, having to deal with the unnecessary ridicule and pressure; I think he made the best move for him, his family and his career.

The SEC is a tough league in my opinion probably the toughest in collegiate sports and regardless of who they have coaching there, it is gonna be nearly impossible for the Wildcats to win consistent national titles unless they start really paying players big time under the table (and that’s another story in its self).

I think with the changes to NBA rules forcing top talent to play at least 1 year in college, parity among top athletes going into top collegiate programs, and just shear competition…I will just say good luck to whoever takes over that job. Everyone thought Nick Saban went into a hard coaching situation with a win or else mindset…good luck to whoever takes over this one.

By Geo

March 23, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

I’m a Kentuckian - born, raised, and educated. I bleed blue. UK basketball is in my blood. Without a doubt for some Wildcat fans race is an issue. But for the overwhelming majority of us, the only color that matters is blue. A green skinned Martian with antennae could coach Kentucky, and if he (or she) … with honesty and class and roundball prowess gets the Cats into the Final Four with some regularity, we are happy.

By SnuffySmith

March 23, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

It is amazing how the UK fans turned on tubby smith. Some of the rowdy fans had the nerve to put for sale signs on tubbys property just to drive him out of town. tubby is one of the best college basketball coaches of all times and his 10 year record (almost 200 games over .500) was better than rick petinos. tubby is a legendary coach and will most certainly go into college basketballs hall of fame for his coaching excellence. UK doesnt deserve a great coach any more. After legends Rick Petino and Tubby Smith who will be great enough to follow in their footsteps. I wish tubby and his family all the luck in the world.

By mr_natural

March 23, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

Re:Emily: In case you haven’t noticed, parity has arrived in college basketball. It’s a different game now than when Rupp or even Pitino coached. You will never see the day again where Kentucky or UCLA or Duke or any other school dominates college basketball. You are the one that needs to deal with it

By Dennis

March 23, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Kentucky fans are like my beloved home state Indiana University fans. They have unrealistic expectations based on a coaching legends accomplishments in an era thats long since been over. UCLA basketball fans, Alabama and Nebraska football fans are equally guilty.

The landscape in college sports has forever been changed. Adolph Rupp, John Wooden, and Bear Bryant would be no more successful in todays environment than any of the current coaching elite. Add Bob Knight to that list.

So you recruit a class of blue chip stars and maybe they stay in school one year before jumping to the NBA. Then you criticize the coach for recruiting kids who dont want to stay in school. You cant have it both ways.

If you think Crean, Izzo, Barnes, or Calipari are going to lead you back to the promised land, you are wrong. They will do no better than Tubby, and probably worse. The promised land is gone; buried with the coach who led you there, springled with the ashes of an era thats over.

By michael

March 23, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

It was said that Tubby Smith was tired of the pressure at Kentucky. Bite Me. The man could have stayed at Georgia, and become a God on Campus. By now the Arena would have become known as Smith Arena. But no he had to leave for the bright lights of that old UK. I hope he enjoys the cold weather up North. I enjoy watching our new coach Felton doing a great job with the program now. Bye Bye Tubby

By Greg

March 23, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

First of all Mr. Bradley and the rest of you that think delusional fans drove Tubby away. The AD at Kentucky just wanted him to bring in a few new assistants to help with recruiting.

Our staff lost Brandon Wright , who said he grew up a UK fan, because he did not like the style of ball Tubby plays. They passed on Chris Lofton and did not think Corey Brewer, who was also very interested in UK, was strong enough too play in the SEC.Not too mention we have lost 25 games over the last two years and as of Tubby’s departure we have another lacklluster classed signed for next year. Tubby got out before it got ugly next because of him and his staffs own doing!!!

By GREGG

March 23, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

sometimes, a change is just the best thing for everybody. If race were an issue, he’d never been hired, much less stay 10 years. He is a good and decent man.If he wants to go coach somewhere he doesn’t get dissected for everyfricking thing by everyfrickin moron that buys a ticket, God bless’em. Maybe he wants to coach and teach and rediscover something he couldn’t get at UK. maybe UK is better off without him. I hate to put a dose of reality into everybody’s life, but sometimes change is good for all parties. Minnesota gets a prestigious coach, UK gets somebody driven to reach that next level. As a UGA fan, I wish Tubby’d stayed ther, but blame the apathetic AD Dooley for hiring a man who had already reached a verbal agreement to take another job when it was available.

By Sport Fan

March 23, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

I’m a big Georgia fan and have fond memories of Tubby’s two years there. It was a fun and exciting brand of basketball. I hated to see him go and often would imagined what Georgia BB would have been like if he had stayed. I wish Tubby well! That being said I think Georiga is well served by Dennis Felton and look forward to big things from him.

By Clay

March 23, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

The problem with Kentucky is that there’s nothing to do but watch basketball, horse races and drink bourbon. When people sober up to that reality they’ll discover other fascinating sports like NASCAR, bull riding, and curling.

I’m sure they are filming the Borat sequel in Lexington, too. Good luck Big Blue!

By peck

March 23, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

i am sick and tired of hearing tubby’s a good guy, we don’t pay 3mil for good guys. if you can’t get to the final four at uk get the hell on. free at last in big blue.

By Tim

March 23, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

If your care to see more than one side to this then feel free to give me a yell to debate this issue. You are a disgrace to Kentucky and the University. By the way, Duke, NC, Kansas, and UCLA are all doing well over the last 10, why shouldnt Kentucky?? Opposite sides with actuall proof: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10080776 http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?slug=dw-Tubbysmith031307&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Nothing better than a fellow Kentuckian calling us racist to prove he’s just another moron. Tim

By Parkwooddawg

March 23, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Right on, Mark! And be looking for Felton to seek a BETTER place to work as well. A place where he will be appreciated.

By h_charles

March 23, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Tim,

You need to check your facts: Duke was bounced in the first round this year and dropped out of the top 25 — FIRE COACK K!

Kansas has consistently underachieved in the tourney by bowing out in round 1.

NC was very mediocre not so long ago.

Even UCLA had down years under Lavin.

Bottom line is NOBODY dominates year in and out anymore. Even mightly Duke slipped this year, so why should KY be different?

YOu ran out of town a very good coach, and now you may pay. While KY used to be the #1 job, after the way Tubby was treated, it won’t be anymore. Many a coach will think twice about leaving a good situation to deal with those fans. This is the new world. You don’t need the tradition to win at a big school (see Florida, Texas, Ohio State). Why go coach somewhere where they hang you for a down year, when you can win just as much where fans are eternally grateful? If UK wants a top tier coach now, they are going to have to do what Bama did in football and pay double the going rate. Only a boatload of cash will overcome the ridiculous fans.

By Quentin Conner

March 23, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

Most of you are stupid!!! How can you say Tubby can’t recruit because he didn’t have many players going into the NBA! This is college you morons. He recruits the best players to win the school he is at a championship. Going pro is a testiment to the player developing his game for the next level. Some of the best college basketball players suck as pros! By the way, there are not any dynasties in sports anymore. The playing field is almost level. Even as a Bama fan, I know our history but I know it will never be the same again and it goes for every school in the NCAA except the Division III champs Mount Union!!! Have a great day dumbies!!

By UK1in96n98

March 23, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

The Gophers should be happy. Tubby is a good man and a good coach. He might not have been able to win as much as some people wanted but then winning isn’t everything to me. I can appreciate not having thugs on the team. (Oh sorry, I’m not supposed to use that phrase.)

This reminds me of when Bill Curry RAN from Tuscaloosa after bricks were thrown thru his office windows. That was in a 10 win season but he couldn’t beat Auburn.

I wonder what Tubby has had to endure. Eggs? Corn Cobs?

(Yeah that’s a crack at the fan base of my favorite team)

Right now I am also embarrased to be a UK fan just because I hear so much that reminds me of Bama.

I’m really upset about the way this all happened and predicted his exit when the Michigan job became available.

I live in Alabama and have to endure listening to all the redneck Bama fans talk 365 days a year about football.

This year I got to listen to their coach search. FUN FUN FUN. They are STILL talking about it!

When I started to hear UK “fans” sounding the same I did the best I could to try and tell everyone I knew that real “fans” don’t root for their team to lose, EVER.

I’m sorry, this is 2007 and things change. Vandy is actually good…..

By King Wildcat

March 23, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

A guy I know in Kentucky who knows Coach Hall very well has heard that possibly Denny Crum will be dusting off his clipboard and assuming the head coaching job at UK. I kid you not.

By King Wildcat

March 23, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

A guy I know who knows Coach Hall very well told me that its possible Denny Crum will be dusting off his clipboard and assuming the head coaching job at UK. I kid you not.

By J.D.

March 23, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

Any school that glorifies a bigot and coward like Adolph Rupp doesn’t deserve to have a class act like Tubby Smith as it’s coach…………

By nate

March 23, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

Whoever is Kentucky’s next coach is going win right away. He will come in hot, 30 wins, final four, national title. Then it starts all over again, everybody catches up with you. Being graduates of Kentucky, you should know this by now, everything is timing. When Rick Pitino came to Kentucky, he came at the right time. He was a hot coach coming to a program that needed to be resurrected by a up and coming hot coach (Rick Pitino). Problem is, you Kentucky fans got spoiled and thought it was going to last forever. The only reason you won back in the 40’s and 50’ is because the fundamendals dominated the game because it was no talent. Also, here’s another theory you need to remember. rivals list the top 100 high school players every year. Most of them of course are McDonald’s All-Americans. But you forget that there are over 1,000 All-Americans that don’t make that list because they only tell us about the top 100. My point is those other kids that are just as talented as the top 100 has to go somewhere and play and they don’t always come to Kentucky. They are now going to the Butler’s and the Southern Illinois’s. the talent pool has leveled off across the country. But guess what Kentucky fans, I give you all the credit because you set the standard. College Basketball is where it is today because of the Kentucky’s, Kansas, UCLA, UNC and so on. Just come down to reality and see the balance. you are not going to be the class of college basketball every year, it’s just not going to happen and I know a lot about Basketball. I played it and coached it. The NBA has changed a lot of that. Kids are going for the dream and I don’t blame them.

Yes, I give you the fact that Tubby coached Rick Pitino’s players, but guess what, he had to coach them. To coach a Rick Pitino’s team to National titel is remarketable. Remember Al McGuire’s Marquette Team in 1977. National Championship. It was his last game as a coach and nobody never heard from Marquette after that. Tubby kept Kentucky going and winning. Even if Rick Pitino came back to Kentucky, he won’t win the way he did when he first got there, because of timing and momentum, that’s major in everything we do. So get a grip Kentucky fans and just enjoy life and watch the kids entertain you every year and be happy that you win every year.

By John R

March 23, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

Mark: It is ridiculous to read your comments about Tubby’s leaving. It is clear that Kentucky is no longer an elite program. Of course no one can dominate any more — that is just a false canard. It has been 40 years since I graduated from Ky, so I have seen a lot of basketball. But it is obvious Kentucky is no longer elite. Can you remember the 36 point loss at Kansas last year? Can you remember the 6 straight losses to Florida and 4 straight losses to Vandy? Did you think at any point in the Kansas game that Ky might win? And, as a pretty knowledgable fan of basketball, it was painful to watch last year’s and this year’s teams. They just were not well coached. Do you think Kentucky is at the same level as when Tubby took over? How would you liked to have paid a guy $20M and have the program worse off than when he came? For $2M/year, would’nt you expect someone to manage the program to a high level rather than just be a good bench coach and nice guy? Tubby would probably be a good NBA coach because of his ability to understand matchups, but is he really a good fundamentals coach?

How about the wonderful McD guys who are now juniors — are they leading the team to great victories? Could Morris, as a junior, be coached how to not play defense with his hands? Can those guys even figure out how to get a shot off, or to throw in the ball? Have you been excited about watching their offense? Many times it was hard to see how they were even going to score. How about the 2 starters for Florida who are from Tennessee one of which grew up a Kentucky fan, and was a McD AA, and neither was offered a scholarship? How about Chris Lofton from Ky, who wasn’t offered a scholarship? How about Thaddeus Young and Brandon Wright and Tyler Hansbrough who could have gone to Ky but all chose not to? But the final straw, and the thing that caused the situation to be too far gone as to be uncorrectable, were the many sports columnists nationwide, like yourself, who almost unanimously wrote that Ky didn’t have the kind of players that Ky should be able to recruit, that the best players didn’t like Tubby’s offense, and didn’t want to play for Ky, and the pressure was getting too great, and Tubby wasn’t going to last, etc. Without this, the situation might well have lasted another year or so, and the ship been righted. But when such a cloud hangs over a program, no top recruits are going to take the chance. So, fortunately, I think everyone who was involved understood that. Ky has an excellent AD, and he has a tough job, and he is up to it. But it was a particularly low blow for you, Mark, to unprofessionally refer to him as you did in such a snide way. That really took the cake. Don’t go near a computer the next time you feel so much venom in your throat.

John R.

By Chris

March 23, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Tubby Smith is a class act, no doubt. BUT the recruits for the past few years have been getting worse and worse. Kentucky does have a storied tradition, and since Rupp. Pitino seemed to be able to get thing sdone fairly quickly with good recruits. Tubby won a championship with those same recruits. With Lofton starring for Tennessee as a former Mr. Kentucky ball player there is a problem! He is a class act and a very good coach, but a poor recruiter. Kentucky needed a change.

By mh

March 23, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

It saddened me when I read that Tubby Smith was leaving Kentucky to go to Minnesota. He has had considerable success coaching in an atmosphere where many of the fans are armchair coaches—you know the type—the ones who never did anything but know it all. It is easy for them to criticize the success(or lack thereof)of someone else without having to account for any actions of their own.

I was proud to say that Tubby Smith coached basketball at my alma mater—not only was he accomplished in his field but he conducted himself with professionalism and acted like a gentleman. In this age where recruiting violations and under-the-table handouts aren’t taken seriously (unless you are caught, that is) Tubby Smith ran a clean program and played by the rules. More coaches should lead by such an example.

There is nothing wrong with being a fan (short for fanatic) but there is something inherently wrong when winning takes precendence over all other fundamental practices in life. Tubby Smith is a winner in the basketball arena and as a human being and I am saddened that he won’t be coaching the Big Blue anymore.

Thank you, Tubby.

By Amber

March 24, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

Race, money, power, and pride — it seems that the bloggers are running circles around four main issues. We can agree that Tubby is a fine person and a great coach.

We can agree that Tubby’s hiring was a historic moment - a black coach in a highly publicized program known for its racist past. Who can forget the 1966 championship? (And, yes, derogatory comments have been made by fellow Kentuckians to the tune of not hiring another black coach. Many Kentuckians ignore those individuals. So please, don’t typecast all UK fans because of these ignorant people.)

We can all agree that power is found in Kentucky basketball. Yes, Barnhart wields serious power on UK’s campus but as did Tubby. I watched many of practices as a UK faculty member. I taught several basketball players in the classroom. If Tubby wanted something, Tubby got it. And yes, UK fans have power. Their obsession fuels an economy and a culture. For those who reside outside the state and are not UK fans/alums, it is difficult to understand the role of basketball…I’m sorry…UK basketball in rural Kentucky. High school basketball games are scheduled around UK’s schedule. Teachers put TVs in the classroom during March madness. Your childhood is filled with UK memories. Your grandfather, but more importantly, your grandmother would turn off the television dial and tune the radio to Cawood’s distinctive voice, as he told us of the moves, the dribbles, and points scored. Yes, UK fans are obnoxious - nine times out of ten they/we will blame the refs for a bad call than the player who missed the shot or turned over the ball. But it is our pride and more importantly it is our identity. Tubby understood this. He is a class-act and most Kentuckians are proud of Tubby but they are not satisfied with his results on the court. True, Matt, our expections are a bit unrealistic for most programs, that I do not deny. But most programs do not carry the burden of UK basketball. Your article severs the connection between culture in Kentucky and basketball in Kentucky. Our program benefited from a wonderful coach who will perform well at Minnesota. But don’t be too hard on Kentucky - she always bears the brunt of every redneck, hillbilly joke - just look at Hollywood’s stereotypes for evidence. Education, poverty, incest, barefoot and pregnant - our bourbon, our horses, and our UK basketball cultivates pride in the bluegrass.