Sports Columnists

By Barry

March 27, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

Terence - SHUT THE HELL UP!!!

By Buzz

March 27, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

Great post Terrance. Tubby was building something special @ UGA before he left; there is no telling how many SEC championships he would have won and final fours UGA would have made. UF & UT can thank UK for taking Tubby from UGA and opening the door for them.

By LUKE

March 27, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

I agree with you that if he had stayed at Georgia he would have been a legendary coach and had job security that he could never had gotten at Kentucky. I also have to say that we have a pretty good coach in Dennis Felton righ now who has taken a program from the brink of despair(no actually they were wretched when he inherited them) to respectable in a hort time and is getting more athletic every year. I think that in two years we will be competing for SEC titles annually. I would have loved for Tubby to have stayed but he left and after a couple of bad hires we found the right coach for UGA basketball and his name is Dennis Felton.

By Lamar Carney

March 27, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

I think Dennis is a good coach and has done an admirable job. However, unless he starts recruiting better and keeps the talent in-state including getting some of the talent Ga Tech gets, UGA will continue to finish no higher than 4th in the SEC east.

By Matt

March 27, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

I have to say that I agree with you on this one. Tubby Smith had Georgia in his pocket, including the students. Remember when we used to call Stegman ‘The Tub’? He could have done great things at UGA. However, that said, I am glad that he left because we have Dennis Felton as the UGA head coach. He demands that his players be more than just players and be model citizens. I believe that we won’t ever be a major powerhouse, but we’ll be a NCAA tourney team next year and for years to come.

By Ramble on!

March 27, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Tubby was looking for the first ticket out of redneck Ville just like Felton is doing. Greatness at UGA, bhwwaaaahhhaaa, what an oxymoron!!!!

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

By CoachRob

March 27, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

Well, as long as UGA continues to recruit Projects and Prospects that need A LOT OF WORK, like Jeremy Price from Columbia, then they will continue to struggle. UGA needs to put the clamps on the state like UGA football has done the last several years and keep some of this talent HOME for once. It would have been nice to seen Jodie Meeks in a UGA uniform. Heck, why did we even recruit Louis Williams, he wasn’t going to qualify ever, yet we still tought we had a chance at him, come on, get real. That was another waste of time in the recruting trail and UGA can’t afford to waste any more time.

By John

March 27, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

You can not blame Tubby for going to KY. You would also. After all it is KY. I liked Tubby while @ UGA. He was an example of a good coach getting the most out of the talent that he inherited. In fact, he may be the best at coaching up. He is not known as a great recruiter. When he left UGA he recomended Jirsa. Jirsa was the biggest reason why UGA basketball hit bottom. Tubby knew best about competition, so that is why he recomedned Jirsa. Tubby is no fan of UGA. By the way, Vince signed off on that hire. Tubby looked at UGA as a stepping stone. Maybe thats why MN looks pretty good to him right him now.The SEC will not take him right now. The hiring Harrick at least got UGA respectable fast. Too bad he was a crook. Vince also hired him( or the pez). That was bad. But when they were winning he was not that bad. We loved him. Felton, by they way, is a stand up guy who does not play politics and will eventually win big in the SEC. But the blue chippers do not want to play by the Felton rules. But he is great B-Ball coach and he will win. Lets talk in two years…

By The Man

March 28, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this

Great Post Terence - Tubby could have had it made at Georgia - but wanted to coach at one of the few truely storied programs in all of college basketball.

He used Georgia as a stepping stone. UGA is and always will be a football school. UGA may not carry the national respect in football like a Notre Dame, So. Cal, LSU, Florida, TN, Miami, Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Texas, or even FSU. But they are in the next tier of “Much better than average football powerhouses” like the Auburns, Clemsons, UCLA’s….teams that will make noise - maybe win double digit seasons a few years in a row now and then - and will occaisionally win a conference title…but for the most part will average 7 -8 wins over a period of time and more than not - compete for 2nd,3rd or 4th in their conference. The culture is football at UGA. If you were a hotshot football coach at KY and Notre Dame, So. Cal, Michigan or TN came knocking at your door….would you think “WOW -if I can be better than mediocre and just make it to a bowl game more than not - I’ll be set for life…. Or would you want to compete and coach at a National Storied school to compete for Conference and National Titles?

Yea….Tubby could have stayed at a mediocre basketball school - and made it to the NCAA’s every so often - but he did the right thing - he coached at a truely storied program….a black man coaching at KY!!!!!! Won a National Title. Lasted 10 years. Good for Tubby.

Being in this great state and enjoying the local sports scene for several years now - UGA appears to have the man for job in Dennis Felton. He took over an absolute mess (I still can’t figure out how UGA’s President and Vince Dooley survived academic fraud. Both should have been kicked out and pensions voided - how embarrassing!!!)

Felton sat down his best player for discipline reasons at a key matchup vs KY during a critical time in the season. The man has integrity and discipline. Do not weep for Tubby. Rejoice in the coach that you DAWG fans have…he wants to be in AThens and make UGA a repected basketball school - much like Donovan has done at Florida.

Hey - I wish both coaches the best.

By 79Dawg

March 28, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this

By The Man… I agree UGA is a stepping stone in basketball and always has been and will be a football school:

What I don’t agree with is this:

“Notre Dame, So. Cal, LSU, Florida, TN, Miami, Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Texas, or even FSU.”

Come on… UGA doesn’t have the history of Florida and LSU?

Georgia ranks 13th in NCAA Winning Percentage… only TWO SEC schools are ahead of the Bulldogs: Alabama & Tennessee. LSU is 16th… Florida is not in the top 20. Miami, by the way is tied with UGA for 13th.

By shear number of victories, UGA is 11th… ahead of LSU, Florida, Miami and Florida State from your list.

Georgia has been to more bowls than all but 5 schools. More than FSU, Oklahoma, Penn State, LSU, Ohio State, Michigane, Notre Dame, Florida, Miami from your list.

In SEC titles, Georgia trails Alabama by 9, Tennessee by 1. The Bulldogs lead LSU by 3, Ole Miss, Florida & Auburn all by 6.

National titles… depends on what you count. Throughout history, the NCAA has recognized 30 different organizations which vote for “National Poll Champions”. According to the NCAA Record Book, UGA has 5 MNC (1927, 1942, 1946, 1968, 1980) Here’s a link if you want to check it out: http://www2.ncaa.org/portal/mediaandevents/ncaapublications/recordsbooks/fall/football/index.html

If you want to use only the AP & Coaches, Notre Dame has 8 AP/ 3 Coaches, So Cal has 5/6, LSU has 1/2, Florida has 2/2, Tennessee has 2/2, Miami has 5/4. Oklahoma has 7/6, Michigan has 2/1, Ohio State has 4/3. Penn State has 2/2, Texas has 3/4, Florida State has 2/2.

Granted, UGA has only 1 in each poll. However, Tennessee’s last, prior to 1998 was 1951. LSU’s prior to the 2003 Coaches was in 1958. Michigan prior to the AP in 1997? back in 1948. Florida and Florida State NEVER one a title prior to 1993 (FSU). These programs, which are far superior to you than UGA, have just one more title and, for most (except UF and FSU and Penn State, which won both in the 1980’s) is took close to 4 decades to win another title. By the way, Texas’ last, prior to 2005? 1970… Ohio State’s last prior to 2002? 1968. Georgia will get another one. Some glaring misses again are Alabama 6 AP titles/ 5 coaches’ titles. Nebraksa 4/4.

I don’t have a problem with UGA not being to the level of Notre Dame, USC, Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma, Miami or Ohio State. However, it’s just as storied and accomplished as Tennessee, LSU, Penn State, Florida State and Florida.

By BadgerDawg

March 28, 2007 2:58 AM | Link to this

Terence, convenient timing, are you pretending you thought this 10 years ago? I was not happy he left, but I understood why he did. Even though UK has no real advantage over UGA and actually should be at a disadvantage due to the talent in GA, it does have a rabid fan base (and $) for bball and it does have tradition(whether that’s good or not is debatable.) Tubby got ten years of a fat paycheck and one national title with Pitino’s players. I don’t think you can defintely say, even now, that he made the wrong move to leave. Maybe, yes, but it was absolutely the right move at the time. To say otherwise would be to assume that we would have won a national title over the last ten years with us. I am surprised he didn’t wait for Michigan to call if he was looking Big Ten, Minnesota has never had success without a blatant cheater at the helm.

By p

March 28, 2007 6:19 AM | Link to this

Well, yeah.

By Gator Dan

March 28, 2007 7:19 AM | Link to this

Uh, 79Dawg, this was an article on UGA basketball. No one asked where UGA ranked in winning percentage, sheer victories, national titles, etc.

You suffer from mental overblown worth of your football program. UGA has had a good football program over the years, but certainly not a program worthy of upper-tier status when compared to other programs.

And lastly, you are incorrect about UGA’s chances of winning another mythical national title to go with their lone mythical national championship of 1980. UGA first needs to defeat Florida, which hasn’t happened very often in the past, oh 20 years.

By dd

March 28, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this

Don’t be so optimistic about UGA “the Man”. But, obvously you know everything and we should come to you when we have a sports question.

I agree, Tubby should have stayed at UGA, but hindsight is 20/20.

It’s kind of like wanting the “hottie” and when you get her discovering that she only wants to be spoiled and take your money.

By Monroe

March 28, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this

I think you guys have grossly overestimated where the UGA basketball program could go. Tubby made the right decision and turned two of the best seasons in UGA history into the 1st black head coach of one of the most storied programs of all time.

He could compete year in year out for the SEC & National Championships or forever be the also ran in Athens.

I’m sorry, but 1500 fans in Stegmen wouldn’t get me excited about coming to work either.

By T

March 28, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this

You are probably right, however you can’t fault a coach for chasing his dream.

By dd

March 28, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this

I’m pretty sure there were more than 1500 at Stegman when Tubby made us a #3 seed pretty quickly. Can someone verify that?

By jay braddy

March 28, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

How many young up and comers would turn down coaching at the college basketball Meca that Kentucky is?

By bluespotREDsea

March 28, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

Good Luck Tubby. Dennis ignore Moore he is a twit.

By DT

March 28, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

I notice that you don’t have a comment from Vince on this column, Terrence.

That’s because Vince is all hype.

If he were half the coach/director that his stubborn fans claim he his, he would have done one of two things with Tubby when he had the chance:

1. Not brought him to coach at Georgia under the condition that he really wanted to be at UK (Vince…Georgia is nobody’s layover, dummy)

2. Explained to Tubby that this is exactly how things would go down. That UK baskeball is the same as Bama football…they’re always going to be looking behind them and never be happy with what they have. He could have gone further to explain what Terrance explained above, and what everyone (except Vince and Tubby) knows…that Tubby could win and win big at Georgia. That the fans would celebrate with him in victory and stand by him in defeat. That he could build a legacy at Georgia instead of trying to live up to one at UK.

This is all on Vince “Hype” Dooley.

By Big Man

March 28, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

I am a UGA fan, but Minnesota is a better job. They don’t have nearly the football success and there is more talent than the few you named in that state. Maybe the names don’t ring bells, but once Tubby coaches em up they will be solid NBA players like his Kentucky players.

By Gordon

March 28, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

Tubby left UGA because UGA never has fully supported basketball. Felton will eventually do the same thing. For Tubby, it wasn’t about money, it was about the prestige of the UK job. He didn’t have “overwhelming success” at UGA either. He made the NCAA twice, losing in the third round the first year and first round the second year. He won a national championship at UK so I doubt he has any regrets.

By Abbaco

March 28, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

One of the few times I agree with you Terence. Tubby would have been better off at UGA, but we know that there were bigger issues than a comparison of the two programs. Why don’t you step up and write the real story.

By Luke

March 28, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

There were definitely more than 1500 students in Stegman when Tubby was our coach. I was a freshman at Georgia when Tubby started coaching in Athens. When he left and they announced Ron Jirsa as the coach it was like having Jim Donnan and Ray Goff rolled into the worst basketball coach ever.

I’d take Tubby back in a heartbeat. Felton has done well in Athens, I just don’t think he’s an SEC caliber coach. The Georgia basketball team will play so well one night and then so terribly the next. Very Jekyll and Hyde, that’s poor coaching. Our players are selfish, and look for their shot rather than the best shot or pass. They launch 3’s and never follow their shot for a rebound. Felton has two years to turn this program into a tournament team. If not, back to sixth in the SEC East instead of fifth.

Oh, and Gator fans, enjoy your success now, because glory is fleeting. You know how no one feels bad for Alabama now that their football program is the laughing stock of the SEC? Well, no one will feel bad for you when Billy Donovan bolts for Kentucky, Urban Meyer goes to the NFL and you’re left with your same old crappy pre-1990 athletic program that couldn’t beat Georgia or Tennessee to save their life.

By DawgNLville

March 28, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this

Terence PLEASE! Tubby left years ago. I loved having Tubby, but he moved on and we stumbled on. Unlike many, I am very happy with Coach Felton. He’s building something special in Stegeman. It’s just taking a little longer thanks to Harrick fiasco. Sure Tubby wished he would have stayed, but even I understood him taking the UK job when it landed in his lap. Bringing this up now is just ridiculous. Tubby moved on, UGA moved on……Terence, why don’t you follow suit!

By BG

March 28, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

Wow, Terence… you’re an idiot. Smith goes to Kentucky… and he wins a national championship. Yeah, bad move.

By GolfinGeorge

March 28, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

What if!!! Water under the bridge!!

By Sweat

March 28, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

Tubby is the Nick Saben of Basketball, W*******!

By Dogfan

March 28, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

Terence,

You are dead on with this one. Tubby passed up an opportunity for greatness. And some peace of mind.

By Matthew at the SLC

March 28, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

I will personally show Felton the door if and when he decides to leave. He ruined the season by benching Stukes. He will never take the program to the next level.

He is just keeping the seat warm until someone decent comes along.

By Gene

March 28, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

Tubby left UGA in the same year that Michael Adams appeared. Fans should remember that Adams nearly destroyed UGA basketball by enrolling Toney Coles. Last I heard, Coles was being tried for rape. Adams has micromanaged all aspects of the university. He allegedly fired Jim Donnan for a lack team discipline, but in recent years, UGA has eclipsed FSU in criminal activity from scholarship athletes. I doubt if Tubby would have flourished under Adams. You certainly can’t blame Tubby for heading to UK, and as someone pointed out, he did win a national title there. Basketball is unique in that you don’t have to be at a state university to win big. I live in Lexington, and no one should endure the heat that Tubby experienced here. Let’s see what he does in MN.

By kenny from athens

March 28, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

I don’t agree. You look at UGA. Ten years after Tubby leaves. We probably have the 10th best building in the SEC. UGA is and always will be a football school. Appalachian State has a better basketball building than we do. Tubby is a good coach. Not great, just good. Felton is average.

By Matt

March 28, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Georgia is the fifth-best program in its division, people, and it will ALWAYS be a stepping stone program.

By Reality Check

March 28, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

Lets see, stay at UGA or take this opportunity:

-Take over a program with the most all time wins

-Take over a program that had just been to the Final Four 3 of the past 5 years (93, 96, 97)

-Take over a roster full of future NBA players and win the 1998 Championship

-Play in front of 23,000 in a perennially sold out arena

-Play to the perennial college hoops attendance leader (home and away)

-Play on national and regional tv for 90% of your games

-Take a pay raise of over $1 million a year with performance bonuses of several more million

-Coach at a school that actually cares about basketball and doesn’t have 3500 show up for an NIT home game

Tough decision.

By steve

March 28, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Luke - what the h&ll is your final paragraph doing in a write up about Tubby and Georgia basketball? What has your hatred for anything orange and blue got to do with this article? You gator haters are sick, sick, sick! You all need professional help. Grow the h&ll up!

By Jeff

March 28, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Gene…..first of all his name was Tony Cole and while I am no Adams fan, it was Harrick that recruited Cole. Jim Donnan was fired for not competing for the conf title and losing to rivals (as well as ruffling some feathers of big contributors)…not lack of discipline. Thirdly, I am proud of the program Richt is running….while I want to see a cut down of the off field incidents they unfortunately happen everywhere….see USC, Tech, Ohio St,…and the beat goes on. Thirdly, the comment…”you don’t have to be at a state university to win big” (in basketball)….puzzles me. Yeah, that is true for hoops but what does that have to do with Tubby and UK, UGA, and MN?….all three are flagship universities of their respective states. Minn is one of the largest (student body wise) schools in the country. Terence was right on the money with this one, at UGA he could have been the architect of a great program and became a legend here. He could have turned UGA into a powerhouse…no doubt. When Tubby was here we were selling out games (same with Harrick)…win and they will come. Hopefully Felton will be able to bump it up to the next level but am I not so sure.

By Headhunter

March 28, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Terence, you are an idiot. Despite what you claim Bestwick said, Vince Dooley told Tubby he’d be a fool not to go to KY.

Furthermore UGA has NEVER had any program to speak of except under that crook Jim Harrick who almost got us the death penalty. Thank God we have Dennis Felton now who has made light years progress bringing us out of that debacle. Instead, you disparage the man by longing for Tubby.

How often do you tell your wife that you should have married Suzie from high school instead of her? Like I said, you are an idiot.

By jp

March 28, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Another retarded Terrence Moore article. There is no way in heck you turn down Kentucky. It’s one of the top 3 jobs in the country. If Tubby truly wanted greatness he had to make the move. WHy would he came over from Tulsa if he just wanted mediocrity. If he wanted to win only he’d be doing what mark few is doing at gonzaga.

Kentucky along with UCLA and UNC is one of the top three programs in the country. Its like saying Mack Brown shouldn’t have went to Texas or Urban Meyer shouldn’t have went to Florida. When you get offered a job at one of the premier programs you have to take it. UGA is BBall just isn’t one of them. THis coming from a fan who went to all of Tubby’s games at UGA mind you. I was not upset he took the job at kentucky. It was a smart move by him.

By ChampDawg

March 28, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

Tubby left UGA for all the right reasons….. just like Felton will do eventually. UK fans might be “wacko” but at least they have high expectations and it’s those expectations that attempt to keep the program moving forward. Tubby did not recruit the best talent and played a boring brand of ball. It was time for him to go. If UK fans are “wacko”, so be it… at least there are 24,000 of them at every home game, not the lame-@$$ 5,000 or less at most UGA games. Most folks don’t give a rats @$$ about UGA basketball.

By faye

March 28, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

You can not blame on him for leaving. I don’t know if he UGA would be good if he stay, we can not judge of the way he doing at other college and no matter who want to join UGA. Stop put the blame on someone else for lose. The coach and player have to do what they have to do. Not everyone good as coach and player. Just leave it the way it is and let him move on. If you think he should be here then why not you become coach at UGA yourself

By caveman22

March 28, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

TERENCE MOORE SUX

By DirkDawggler

March 28, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

I’ve always felt that Tubby Smith was a bad fit at Kentucky. Sooner or later, he was going to leave Georgia. If it wasn’t Kentucky, it would’ve been someone else. Still, I wish he would’ve stayed. Maybe Dennis Felter, now that he’s received an extension, can get some real in-state talent on a consistent basis. Imagine those possiblities!

By DawginLex

March 28, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Once again TM, if you read between the lines, all of your writing has racial overtones. You are saying w/o saying it, that Tubby was forced out because of his skin color. To which I say:

BALONEY

Tubby was no longer welcome here because of the results. How long would Florida, UT,UGA or LSU put up with a football coach who couldn’t recruit and who never got to a BCS bowl game in 9 years ??? Answer-They wouldn’t.

UK fans are not wackos. It’s called expectations. 7 national titles, winningest program in CB. Recruits running away in droves because of his style of play.

The funniest part in reading all of these posts is how people think Tubby would have gotten UGA to a FF. He has had 9 years to get UK back with his own recruits and has failed to do so. In three stops, no one recruit of Tubby’s has been to a FF.

He is a great man, a great father and an average coach. Minnesota will be thrilled with him because the expectations are lower.

By Yellowja

March 28, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

I am not a Georgia fan. However, you do not stay at Georgia when Kentucky is calling. I mean Billy Donovan is probably going to leave Florida for Kentucky after winning back to back National championships. Georgia wouldn’t have considered basketball as high as football no matter how well the program was doing.

Football is king and queen at UGA and nothing else matters, unless you count gymastics.

By Clint

March 28, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

Once again the media is wrong. It gets so over used and mis-used. Kentucky fans do not expect a national championship every year. We do however expect a fun style of ball to be played and to get our share of the best players in the country every year. Tubby never provided either. I to wish that he would have stayed in Georgia. His style never was right for UK. I wish him well but am afraid that he will never turn around Min. Oh well now we can get our new coach and move on. So please get it right in the future. If you would take the time to actually ask some Kentucky fans you would find out that we know that a championship every year is not possible, but enjoyable ball is.

By The Wizard

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

UGA lost to UT-Chattanooga in the 1997 NCAA. That was Tubby’s best team.

Hey, have the UGA men beaten Tennesssee is ANYTHING this year?

By brent

March 28, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

Minnesota…they really grew to appreciate Glen Mason too.

Does anybody remember Glen Mason? You know….former UGA head football coach Glen Mason?

How ‘bout them Gophers? NOT!!!

By Greg

March 28, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Tubby, would have won NO championships at Georgia…. Tubby can’t recruit and Tubby can’t tell his players what to do…. he won BIG at Kentucky because of Pitino’s players…. he won less often when he got his OWN players at UK…. but all of you guys from outside Kentucky have no clue what REAL basketball is and how it should be played…. so you all need to STOP bashing the UK fans because any team that has a tradition (which GA doesn’t) in winning knows that Tubby has fallen short of playing winning basketball the last several years…. it was time for Tubby to go and UK will be better off for him leaving…. and HE did LEAVE UK he wasn’t run off from UK….

By OnceMightyThor

March 28, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Terrance wrote a good piece on Tubby. It’s true, if he had stayed he’d be a god in UGA land. The arena was packed every night - it became known as “the Tubb” due to the fans. Tubby left for the promised holy land of BB. He jilted UGA for a prettier suitor. Now he knows that looks aren’t everything.

I once heard that if you see a really hot single girl - before you dive in, remember someone else is really tired of her sh*t… Apparently Tubby now understands what that means.

Terrance should also have mentioned that UGA has since found a quality coach, and no longer pines for the days of Tubby. Big miss there, Terrance.

By Ramble ON!

March 28, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Congratulations Felton on your raise!!!!. As a token of appreciation, you should personally serve the 1500 fans their free pizza and coke for coming to the game.

By Ernie

March 28, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

Tubby recommended Jirsa as his successor so that Tubby would not have to worry about UGA being a contender. Good move on his part.

By georage

March 28, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

For anyone to come to the conclusion that ANY basketball coach would have better talent at his disposal at UGA than Kentucky is laughable.

That a sports columnist for a major newspaper would be allowed to embarass himslef by saying it publicly is sad.

By gtfan

March 28, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Your and idiot Terence

That’s like Coach K leaving Duke for s** UGA and then someone like you saying he should of stayed at West Point.

By Jeff

March 28, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

Hindsight. Not worth reading. Wasted time.

By Don Corleone

March 28, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

Gee Mr. Moore thanks for writing this article and slapping Coach Felton in the face on the same day that it is announced that he will receive a raise! Coach Tubby deserved a chance to take the KY job and he did as well as could be expected in that cauldron of excessive expectations! Who knows what he will do in MN. Give him a chance. In the meantime, you need to go and take a nap with the fishes!

By Jason

March 28, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Just so you know, Kwame Brown didn’t play college basketball so I’m not sure why you listed him as a great college basketball player from the state of Georgia.

By Minnesota Dawg

March 28, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

Coach Smith will encounter some difficulties at the University of Minnesota. Unlike many other regions of the nation, basketball is the state’s “third” winter sport. Both hockey and wrestling draw more premier high school athletes. To succeed, he will need to recruit nationally and internationally, and such an approach is more difficult because of the climate and lesser name recognition for the U of MN. However, he has the support of the Gopher fans. His media introduction played like a coronation in the Twin Cities.

By Headhunter

March 28, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Go to hell, Ramble ON

Paul Hewitt needs to be one of those 1500 in the stands. Maybe he could learn a thing or two about hoops watching Felton. Oh that’s right! He’s a great recruiter!

What a choke job in the tourney though.

By Hey Dawgheads

March 28, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Here is the deal. Some of you misguided fools think UGA has something special in Dennis Felton. You freakin’ don’t. You have someone who will bring stability (because nobody’s going to come looking to steal him) and mediocrity to a program that has had neither since Tubby left. In short, you are getting something a bit shy of Hugh Durham. Congrats to him for the raise and the extension. But he’s no great shakes now and is not on course to be.

By Fulton

March 28, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Ok, so lemme get this straight….I’m a UGA basketball coach….KENTUCKY calls…..and I’m supposed to stay here and say no….? BWWHAAAAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Er, and Terrence, what about that phat Championship Ring on his finger?? In your fantasy world, would he have gotton one of THOSE while at UGA too?

Again….BWWHHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

By RonD

March 28, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

Tubby said that his “dream job” was to coach at Kentucky. We can’t blame him for going after his dream. True basketball fans of the Bulldog Nation wanted Tubby to stay but we can’t have everything we want!

By Billy

March 28, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

Tubby would have been doing the same thing in Georgia as he did in Kentucky and will do the same where he is now!

He made mistakes at Kentucky bad offence game, poor recuriting, offering players scholarships to non ranked players. Plus .. players wouldn’t come to UK because of his style of play. He was such a bad coach that Rondo left to get away from him and so did others. Stick to the facts and truth! I would doubt anyone in the state of Kentucky disliked Tubby as a person. Most called his game tuggleyball as in uglyball.

By Mac McLemore

March 28, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

Tubby leaving Georgia did for UGA basketball what trading Dominique Wilkins did for Atlanta Hawks basketball. Hasn’t been the same since and doesn’t promise to get back to that level in the immediate future.

By Scott

March 28, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

Exactly!

By brent

March 28, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

I wonder why Terrence failed to mention that Tubby won a national title at Kentucky?

By Dorsey Hill

March 28, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

One of the most obvious coaching lessons out there is: Never, ever follow a legend. I can’t think of anybody who has done it with consistent success. However, if you consider Tubby’s record and length of tenure at UK he probably did it better than anyone else has. The additional problem with Tubby’s situation is that he had to follow a legend at a school whose fan base has unrealistic expectations. UK basketball is like Alabama football. They think God ordained that they should win, or at a minimum come very close to winning, a national title every year. I live in Alabama and I can tell you that there is already talk of Saban and a National Title. Not in five years, but in ‘07. UK BB fans are similarly stupid.

As far as UGA BB, everybody says that you can be a consistent contender at Georgia and there is every indication that it could be, but one has to consider the harsh reality that it never has been. Ever. As for me, I wouldn’t care if we ever won another BB game if we beat USC, TN, FL, AU and Tech every year in football. Same goes for baseball, track, golf, gymnastics or whatever else we’ve got. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy the success of other Bulldog teams. The ‘83 Final Four trip was fantastic. But on the other hand, I just don’t care if they suck. My guess is that I’m not alone and that this is why none of those players Terence listed went to UGA.

By ugalaw

March 28, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

Hard to fault Tubby for leaving. Stegman is a dump and the fans are focused on football recruiting during the basketball season. Not only is Kentucky one of the 3 or 4 most prestigious jobs in the country, but Tubby had been an a*’t coach there. That’s quite an offer to turn down when you’re at a school that has one regular season conference title.

No matter how good the basketball team is at UGA, it will always play second fiddle to UGA football. That may be why Donnovan leaves UF for Kentucky (if he ends up doing so). As good as UF basketball has been, I don’t think anyone would argue it has or ever will overtake UF football. Maybe one of the Gators who likes to lurk on these blogs can comment on that.

By ugalaw

March 28, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Dorsey Hill — Well said. That last paragraph pretty well sums up why, even though this state is loaded to the gills with talent, we would have a hard time pulling it in with any coach. Elite prospects want to go to school where college basketball is the center of attention.

I’m with you. When the basketball team is winning, it’s great. The Harrick years were a lot of fun. But when they are stinking it up, it doesn’t bother me. And I think I’m pretty typical of most UGA fans in this respect.

By KyWildcatfan

March 28, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Terence are you stupid! “Wildcats Wackos” We are supposed to feel bad or apologize for being the most successful college basketball program in the nation, are you serious? As fans we are used to a certain level of success and Tubby wasn’t getting it done. Period. This isn’t about feelings or Tubby being a good guy, it’s about winning at a place with high expectations because the hard work of good men before Tubby. Terence if Tubby were white, I bet you wouldn’t written a word about it. Gotta love those “you owe me” people.

By charles dixon

March 28, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

You’re so correct Terence. What was Tobby thinking about when he left Ga.

By lawdog

March 28, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

I recall Tubby leaving. Vince said in an interview that , “we cannot compete with the likes of Kentucky.” He did not even try to keep Tubby. That was the most disappointing thing about the whole episode to me.

By 3D

March 28, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Headhunter,

At least we were in the tourney. Nice 30 point loss to AIR FORCE in the NIT.

By Bryan G.

March 28, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

I think this was as good a column as Terrance has written. It’s better to be the best all-time coach at a school like Georgia than to be an also-ran at Kentucky. Smith would have God-status had he stayed at Georgia. Now he has to go to Minnesota and try to scrape up some talent.

I understand that the UK job is maybe the best in the country. I get it, trust me. But Tubby could have been a hero at Georgia. That’s better than leaving UK with your tail between your legs.

By KYgirl

March 28, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

To Clint and KYWildcatfan: I am a born and bred Kentucky girl and yes our fan-base for BASKETBALL is wacko and spoiled. We do have expectations that are extremely high, sometimes too high, and if the b-ball coach doesn’t meet them, then he will be attacked.

Tubby is a good coach, but in the past 2-3 years, his recruiting for UK was not on the “Kentucky level”. And in Kentucky, “good” is not enough…you must be great, stupendous, exceptional.

You have to have tough skin to coach UK b-ball and be ready for the criticism from those who have played the sport (which I have) to those who are pot-bellied, couch potato know-it-alls. And yes, Tubby did have to deal with the racism in Kentucky and there is no way in HL that anyone can tell me differently. A black man coaching at UK in Rupp Arena…Adolf Rupp flipped over in his grave like a fish out of water! However, Tubby didn’t let that get to him or run him off as much as the bulls* expectations that fans, UK’s AD and president put on him every season that he was there.

I hope whomever they get to come in to this prestigous job will come with shark skin and I wish Tubby the best. To have lasted 10 years in that environment, you did well Tubby. Good luck and God bless.

By Robert

March 28, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Wow.. I actually agreed with a Terrence Moore column. There’s a first time for everything… I have to say, good column Terrence!

By Helluva Engineer

March 28, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Yeah, leaving the banjo pluckin’ rednecks in Athens who - other than the menu at Waffle House - cannot even read was a terrible move. The U[sic]GA “fans” are the biggest (in both a literal and metaphoric sense) bandwagonbillies when it comes to college hoops. Tubby in in a substantially better environment, is taking over a program that has nowhere to go but up, with one of the best venues in college ball, in a great city was a substantial move.

By Tuckerboy

March 28, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

Hindsight is always 20/20

By theBiscuit

March 28, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

Hindsight, the ajc erred in hiring Terence Moore(on). Hindsight the city of Atlanta erred in allowing this joke of a paper to exist.

By Ripdog

March 28, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

I agree and I hope Coach Donovan from Florida has the same thinking. You’re never going to satisfy the fan base in one of these arrogant programs like Kentucky who think they should win a championship every year. He had a chance to create his own legacy in Georgia. I know money talks but you have to look at the big picture sometimes. A legacy has to start somewhere. Look at Coach K at Duke.

By Stacy

March 28, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

Seriously, this column is laughable. I can’t believe it was published. People say silly things all the time, but do we have to endure it being in a respected newspaper?

By mike

March 28, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

Could not agree more, but I wouldn’t trade Felton for him now. I believe Felton will get it going and will be loyal to UGA for the opportunity he was provided.

By gt81

March 28, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

Great insight T.M. Stay in Athens and he would have a national championship? He would also go down with the rest of the great UGA basketball coaches in the record books! You never quit amazing me. What in the world would make you write this article ten years down the road.

There is no way he would have ever stayed at UGA and I am sure that his 10 years at KY is pale to his short tenure in Athens.

Please RETIRE!!!!!!

By Ross

March 28, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Tubby Smith…another coach who won with S E P ‘s (someone else’s players).

By SnuffySmith

March 28, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

Tubby Smith is a genius to the utmost. He knew that the sands of time were running out of him in Big Blue (Kentucky) and he would NEVER satisfy the wildcat fans. Winning 1 championship wasnt enough in 10 years. The fans wanted 10 championships in 10 years and Tubby couldnt deliver that. So instead of Smith getting fired he waltzed out of KY into one of the best jobs in the country while picking up a championship in the process. Not bad for someone who was told he would never have the success that his predecessor Rick Petino had. Tubbys record was almost as good as Petinos and it could be debated that Tubby had more success than Petino had. I believe that Tubby should have never left the Georgia Bulldog program. I also think that Georgia will eventually rehire Tubby in the not too distant future after he wins a championship for the Golden Gophers.

By dave

March 28, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

what if harrick was still our coach and never got caught. now that would be a good article.

By Charlie Weston

March 28, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I totally agree with Terence Moore. Tubby Smith had an incredible opportunity to turn Georgia basketball into something special. He took his first team to the sweet sixteen before losing in OT to Syracuse. UGA earned a #3 tournament seed the next season. He was a dynamic coach who would have kept this state’s talent home. I really believe, given what happened his first two years, UGA would have been to a Final Four or two if he had stayed. The argument that UGA is a football school and no coach will succeed at basketball doesn’t hold water. People used to say the same thing about Florida. If Tubby had stayed I think the commitment to basketball would have been there as the teams were more and more successful. The Kentucky job is becoming the same as other high pressure jobs (like Alabama football) where the expectations will always be much higher than what a coach can achieve. SEC basketball is much more competitive now than when Pitino left KY (just 10 yrs ago). As in football, it is very difficult for one school to dominate. I join the others in praising Coach Felton. He is a class act. I can’t help but wonder, though, whether Tubby in some way regrets leaving UGA (where he could have stayed forever, made good money, and won some championships) for the lions den in Lexington. I guess we’ll never know.

By jim

March 28, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this

If a frog had wings he wouldn’t bump his butt. Get out of the past and support our present day coach. Report the NEWS and quit trying to make news out of BS.

By Sports Fan

March 28, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

Please respect and support who were are and not who we are not!

I have the utmost respect for Tubby Smith, but Dennis Felton is our Coach and he certainly has earned my respect and admiration!

By Sports Fan

March 28, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

These childish posts by the gt elitist are getting a bit old.

Seems to me gt under achieved in both FB and BB this year.

By the way when was the last time the gt FB team beat UGA without the help of ineligible athletes? Oh yeah, I almost forgot the gt athletes have to take calculus to graduate. But how many actually graduate? Now it is time to counter with the same old tired argument of how much smarter gt athletes are than UGA’s.

Of course the truth the only difference between the academic prowess of the gt athlete and the ones at Clemson are the color of the uniforms they wear.