AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > May > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTubby casts off Big Blue shadow
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
You’ve often seen the following in this space during the past 10 years: Tubby Smith shouldn’t have left Georgia.
Well, turns out, just before one of the most deceptively great coaches of our time headed to Kentucky, he had visions of coaching the Bulldogs long enough to become the Vince Dooley of UGA basketball. “Oh, God, yes,” said Smith over the phone from the site of his new employers in Minneapolis.
It’s not like returning to Athens, but two months ago, Smith did what he should have done long ago. He knocked the bluegrass from the bottom of his shoes, and he escaped the suffocating world of the Wildcat Wackos while he still had his dignity and limbs intact. Now Smith works for the University of Minnesota. “You look back, and you’re amazed at how many blue ties and shirts you’ve collected over the years,” said Smith, sounding giddy in maroon and gold these days.
All Smith did for Big Blue was win 76 percent of the time, with NCAA tournament bids every year that produced a national championship, six trips to the Sweet 16, four to the Elite Eight and five SEC regular-season titles. Even so, it was whine, whine, whine by those Wildcat Wackos, still worshiping Adolph Rupp’s ghost and Rick Pitino’s shadow.
Tubby won it all, but it was with Pitino’s players. Tubby can’t recruit. Tubby has a boring offense.
Tubby has to go.
One Web site for Kentucky fans called firetubbysmith.com had a dapper Smith squatting in the midst of flames. To which the Wildcats’ first African-American coach sighed, saying, “There were [racial] things we dealt with, but they were early on, and they were over and done with. There’s always going to be bigotry manifesting itself in some ways with people, but I don’t think it was something I felt was going to be threatening or stop me from doing my job. If somebody makes a comment, it’s probably because of the basketball end of it. I never look at it because of my color.”
Speaking of color, we’re back to maroon and gold. These are the bad old days for Minnesota basketball. Courtesy of last season’s 9-22 record, the Gophers finished ninth or worse in the Big Ten for the third time in the past four years.
Smith is an accomplished miracle worker, though, so maybe Minnesota fans will appreciate Smith as much as did many around the Bulldog Nation during Smith’s two seasons at Georgia.
The feeling was mutual. Soon after Smith walked into Dooley’s office in May 1997 with news that Kentucky was calling, Smith revealed for the first time that he planned to tell the Georgia athletics director that he decided to spend more than a few seasons with the Bulldogs.
“You know, pretty much most places that you go to, you go there thinking you’re going to be there forever, whether it was Tulsa [Smith’s first head coaching job] or Georgia,” Smith said. “I thoroughly enjoyed Georgia. I was coaching my son, G.G., and we had back-to-back 20-win seasons. In fact, it was the first time [the Bulldogs] had ever done that, and when Ron Jirsa took over for me, they won 20 the next year. So it was a great run there.
“I also was going to have my second son [Saul] come play with me, but we took him to Kentucky. Then, working with Coach Dooley, one of the best athletics directors I’d ever been with, makes it a good situation. You just love the place. It had everything you needed.”
This doesn’t make sense. Actually, it does, when you consider this: Dooley has said that he wanted Smith to stay, but Smith remembered that Dooley also wanted what he thought was best for Smith. After all, here was a gifted basketball coach with a chance to leave Georgia, a football school, for Kentucky, a basketball school. “So you go in [Dooley’s office] hoping. I mean, you’re kind of struggling there,” said Smith, who went 45-19 with the Bulldogs, including a trip to the Sweet 16 despite losing eight seniors and five starters.
“You’ve got fans and family and players,” Smith continued. “That’s the most important thing that you just get close to, and it’s a tough decision. But Coach Dooley understood that Kentucky is Kentucky, as far as basketball was concerned, and I think he wanted what was best for me, and that’s hard to separate. And I appreciate that. He gave me a lot of guidance along the way and a lot of support.”
Which brings us to this: Dooley saw that Smith’s eyes were blinded by the word, KENTUCKY. “You’ve been there before [Smith was an assistant coach for two years under Pitino], and Rick and [former UK athletics director] C.M. Newton are very good people and good friends,” Smith said. “You also understand the magnitude and the legacy of Kentucky basketball, and sometimes your ego says, ‘I want to be a part of that.’?”
Sometimes common sense says, you shouldn’t be a part of that.
Thus Tubby’s new wardrobe.
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By gwmullis
May 20, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
I was fortunate enough to meet and talk with Tubby Smith several times when he was at Georgia. I found him genuine, captivating, and well spoke. Most of all, I found him sincerely interested in his players and the fans who surrounded UGA athletics. He was everything that Harrick and Ron Jersa were not (Jersa was a jerk every time I was around him). As to the fans at Kentucky, and I friends with a few, they are disillusioned and living in the past. I truly believe that they will pay dearly for their transgressions and will long for the days of Tubby Smith. While I certainly wish Tubby had stayed at UGA, I wish the best for him at Minnesota. Watch out Big-10. This guy is everything the Wildcat fans thought he wasn’t. Good luck Tubby.
By AL
May 20, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Tubby has millions because of Kentucky. He left UGA for money. End of story
By GJJ
May 20, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
Tubby Smith is a damn good coach and a BETTER person. Good luck Tubby!
By toocoldscorpio
May 20, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
I want mention a name but , Terence Moore. You write this little puff piece about Tubby Smith but we have scene other things you have written about more relevant Atlanta sports figures and we know you for the sell out you are. You are the so called face for a large percent of this area but you lack credibility.* YOU ARE A SELLOUT* UNCLE TOM. Do your home work.
By Wedgie Evans
May 21, 2007 2:42 AM | Link to this
Tubby Smith is a very good coach, but the questions about his ability to recruit do have some merit. In college basketball, a good recruiter who can’t coach is generally going to do better in the regular season than a good coach who can’t recruit. That said, I’d love to see him get a shot to coach in the NBA, where recruiting doesn’t matter. Maybe the Hawks could give him a call at some point?
By Maroon and Gold
May 21, 2007 3:56 AM | Link to this
I’m in Minnesota, but lived in GA for a few years. The fans here are ecstatic over the Tubby hire. Since the team has been down for the past 10 years or so, all he has to do is return us to a team that wins 20 games yearly and qualifies for the big dance, and the fans will continue to be behind him.
By Maroon and Gold
May 21, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this
I’m in Minnesota, but lived in GA for a few years. The fans here are ecstatic over the Tubby hire. Since the team has been down for the past 10 years or so, all he has to do is return us to a team that wins 20 games yearly and qualifies for the big dance, and the fans will continue to be behind him.
By Maroon and Gold
May 21, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this
I’m in Minnesota, but lived in GA for a few years. The fans here are ecstatic over the Tubby hire. Since the team has been down for the past 10 years or so, all he has to do is return us to a team that wins 20 games yearly and qualifies for the big dance, and the fans will continue to be behind him.
By Billy
May 21, 2007 6:36 AM | Link to this
I also think Tubby should have never left UGA. (Wait a minute, am I agreeing with Terence Moore?) But, leaving UK was the best thing Tubby could have done. He was in a no-win situation there.
By mart
May 21, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
Smith’s just another hired-gun coach. He’ll go wherever he’s wanted, and at the highest salary. Big deal. There are probably 30 other coaches who should get more press in the Atlanta papers.
By Stovie
May 21, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this
Great Great Coach…. Poor, Poor recruiter. Wedgie above got me to thinking. NBA might put him over the top.
By Ol Ball Coach
May 21, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
I wanted to read about Coach Smith, a fine man and a very good coach, but I stopped reading at the first mention of skin color. TM, is it possible for you to highlight one’s accomplishments without referencing skin color?
By A UGA fan without the rose-colored glasses
May 21, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
GWMULLIS - ‘As to the fans at Kentucky, and I friends with a few, they are disillusioned and living in the past.’ Like UGA football fans hanging on to that MNC 27 years ago? HW and a MNC 27 years ago does not make a football powerhouse.
By Roswell Ed
May 21, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
What’s the difference in Saben and Tubby. Tubby has all ready figured out to be careful what you wish for in life.
Saben soon will too.
Those Alabama fans will chew him and his family up and then spit them out.
By Bert Lawson
May 21, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
I am a Kentucky fan, but only a very small amount of “Kentucky wackos” are like that, much like the “Georgia Wackos” are in Football.
By SavTechIE
May 21, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Tubby is a gentleman and a damn fine coach - - glad he’s no longer on Tech’s schedule.
By Dan
May 21, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Yo, TM. 20 wins a year at Kentucky just isn’t good enough. Why is this so hard for some people to understand? You’ll find nary a person who had a problem with anything to do with Tubby Smith, the person. He’s a great man and has done a lot in the way of charity in the Lexington area. This is not up for debate. However, his job was not to be charitable… it was to win big, and win big consistently. Anyone who argues that his last 3-4 years at UK were up to UK standards is either sorely out of touch with UK or wants UK to fail. Throughout this whole shift in coaching staffs, one thing has become readily apparent to all UK fans- the same people who say that the program has slipped are the EXACT same people who say UK pushed Tubby out unfairly. Choose a side. Sorry TM, but you can’t have it both ways, and we’re not lowering our expectations to please idiots like you.
By ukfan23
May 21, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
I am a huge fan and personally never thought they should of even been talking about letting Tubby go. I knew it would eventually happen because of all the talk surrounding UK basketball and Tubby just did not want to be in a situation where he felt he was unwanted. His recruiting was a little iffy and I am curious whether or not he would of gotten the recruits Billy G has gotten UK (Patrick Patterson, and Alex Legion) but I will always like Tubby Smith because no matter what anyone says he is a great coach and even a better person. Good Luck to you!
By bryan
May 21, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Like other readers, I stop reading at the mention of skin color. Smith deserves better than this… Tubby never uses excuses.
By ukfan23
May 21, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
I am a huge fan and personally never thought they should of even been talking about letting Tubby go. I knew it would eventually happen because of all the talk surrounding UK basketball and Tubby just did not want to be in a situation where he felt he was unwanted. His recruiting was a little iffy and I am curious whether or not he would of gotten the recruits Billy G has gotten UK (Patrick Patterson, and Alex Legion) but I will always like Tubby Smith because no matter what anyone says he is a great coach and even a better person. Good Luck to you!
By DawginLex
May 21, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
Once again TM, you are dead wrong. Tubby coached at UK, a school with expectations for the basketball program. He didn’t respect his boss Mitch Barnhart who wanted Tubby to replace his underachieving coaching staff. Tubby refused and went to Minnesota.
Tubby’s critics(including me) have never bashed Tubby as a human being. I also don’t believe he was all that bad as a recruiter. My beef with Tubby is player development and poor offensive execution. He also had better athletes than a lot of Pitino’s teams but refused to let them play up-tempo and take advantage of their athleticism. This ultimately led to many of the recent recruiting whiffs.
His stubbornness and his loyalty to his assistants cost him his chance to stay at UK. I wish him well in Minnesota. Just don’t waste my time or the time of others by playing the race card. Tubby was underachieving and refused to change and it cost him his job.
By Jason
May 21, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
I am a Kentucky basketball fan and I supported Tubby immensely during his time in Lexington. Unfortunately, the end of his regime came down to a disagreement with the Athletic Director Mitch Barnhardt. After twenty five combined losses in two seasons, featuring six losses to Florida, four to Vandy and maybe one win over a top 25 opponent, Tubby refused to implement changes that Barnhardt laid out for him. These changes included upgrading/changing his coaching staff and recruiting habits. It’s been known for a long time that Tubby refused contact with the AAU circuit, which is now the lifeblood of college basketball recruiting. Tubby is a great coach, but unfortunately the decline in the talent pool that he had in front of him was running dry. He experienced over twenty transfers in ten seasons and unfortunately everyone here could see the end was near if changes weren’t made.
Call me a “wacko” if you will, but I don’t believe that this argument should shame any fan for being disappointed in Tubby’s latest returns. Unfortunately, your column appears to make race a big part of this which is absolutely wrong. I love Tubby and I wish him the best. I hated to see him leave, but his unwillingness to change is the big reason he is now in Minnesota.
By DawginLex
May 21, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
Jason,
We should have talked before we posted-we said almost the same thing. Too bad TM always has to play the race card.
By jon
May 21, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Once again you are clueless - he should have left Georgia for Kentucky - be a fool not to. What happened after was Kentucky’s fault - not his.
And BTW - Minnesota is a heck of a better job than Georgia is. Make no mistake about that.
Terence - it’s the equivalent of you turning down a job at the NY Times or Washington Post to stay at the AJC. Then again, why would they want such a negative writer on their staff?
By Sobecat
May 21, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Tubby ruined UK basketball with his ineptitude and poor work ethic. Thankfully, looks like Billy G. got there just in time to save the program. Seeing what Billy G. has done in 2 months shows just how pathetic Tubby really was. Yeah, he’s a good person. Pay me 2 million/year and I’ll be a better one.
By Sobecat
May 21, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
Does anyone really think Terrence would have a job at AJC if he didn’t play the race card? He doesn’t know sports, his writing his poor and his logic is worse. Antagonizing people with the race card is about all he can do to get reaction.
By ChampDawg
May 21, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Terrence, your stupidity no longer amazes me. I’ve come to expect it in everything you write. You, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton are all cut from the same cloth.
UK may never again be the program it once was. Only time will tell. But you can’t blame UK fans for wanting the program to return to the prominence it once had. Call them wacko or dillusional or whatever. But one thing is for sure, had proven time and time again that he was not up to the task. What’s wrong with UK fans wanting the program to at least make it past the Sweet 16 for heaven’s sake!!
Billy Gillespie may end up producing no better than Tubby Smith, but it was time to go a different direction.
UK fans have every right to be dissappointed and “wacko” at Smiths lack of meeting the high demands of the program just like Ray Goff and Jim Donnan were not up to the task at UGA.
By Todd
May 21, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
Terrence,
Come on man, everyone forgets to tell the story of Tubby leaving UGA for all the Glory of Kentucky. At that time, Tubby wasn’t complaining of the pressures of the UK job, that’s what he wanted. I was told UGA didn’t even counter offer, they new he was gone.
Now 10 yrs. later it seems Tubby enjoys all the articles about how oppressing the UK job is and the fans are unrealistic, blah, blah…
Tubby didn’t have a problem with it when he took the job, didn’t have a problem with the salary, the “Tubby Smith” limited edition Chevy Tahoe.
I don’t care for “dogging” your ex-employer after the fact, when you we’re getting paid what college coaches bring in these days.
Now Terrence, if you get “run” by the AJC and go home and tell the news, then you and I out here in the real world can “dog cuss” our former employer all you want!
Late
By Tom Gray
May 21, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Tubby averaged 26-8 (76%) at UK and was 23-9 (72%) in NCAA games there.
UK averges 76% all-time and 69% in NCAA games.
Tubby won 1 NCAA title, 5 SEC titles, and 5 SEC tourney championships in 10 years.
All of those are consistent with UK results (all-time).
Tubby makes favorable comments about UK and its fanbase in the AJC article.
He’ll shine at Minnesota.
By Chris
May 21, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Kentucky fans are ecstatic with our new coach and the overall direction of the basketball program. Recruiting is on the upswing and the energy has returned to the program.
Tubby feels refreshed and is ready for a new challenge. He seems to be re-energized as well.
The Kentucky basketball program is better off without Tubby Smith, and Tubby may very well be better off without UK. This was a win/win situation for both parties.
By Missing Tubby
May 21, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
Tubby was a KING at UGA!
Tubby could’ve stayed at UGA and been a godlike figure.
Tubby went to Kentucky as was way UNDERappreciated and even hated, much like how football coaches at Alabama have been treated since “The Bear” passed.
Tubby is like Anna Nicole Smith who left UGA to marry the wealth of the old man in Kentucky. The way that poor man had to prostitute himself there at UK and still not be appreciated for it. As Tubby has now learned, those who marry for money usually wind up having to EARN every red cent of it.
Good Luck, Tubby!
By Sobecat
May 21, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
Tom, it wasn’t the overrall winning percentages. It was the decline over the last four years. I suspected Tubby had pretty much quit trying to recruit but it was proven by the comments of the top players now saying they hadn’t been contacted by Tubby. He’ll do ok at Minny. Tubby excels at taking average talent and having the play a bit above average. Problem is, you can give Tubby good to great talent and the product will still just be a bit above average. Tubby’s style is to make games slow and ugly (and therefore hopefully close) and try to pull it out at the end. That doesn’t work at the higher level programs because it does exactly what it did at UK, i.e., 12 losses seasons, 8 seeds, and second round exits.
By Denny
May 21, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Moore certainly didn’t break the “research budget” putting together this peice of art. I enjoyed the reference of an annonymous website as proof that the entire fanbase hates Tubby Smith. By the same logic, one should register the domain name “terrencemoorisahack.com” and that should be considered proof of the obvious. Thowing out the race card is another big winner for Moore. If you can’t come up with a good story, make one up. I think Terrence must have late for a deadline.
Tubby Smith is a fantastic basketball coach, however, his recruting was subpar. Even a coach with the talent Smith has can’t win big with mid-level talent.
Tubby will be very good at Minnesota, and Kentucky will be dominant with Gillispie.
By Sobecat
May 21, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
I wonder if Terrence knows that just a few years back Tubby was overwhelmingly voted the most popular person in Kentucky in a poll done by the Courier-Journal? He probably doesn’t. Sorry, you get paid millions and you don’t produce (not to mention thumbing your nose at your boss when he’s trying to get the program moving in the right direction) then you are out.
By Tom Gray
May 21, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
Tubby won 77% of his UK games the past 5 years.
UK was THE overall #1 seed in NCAA in 2004 and #2 seed in 2005. 55-11 those 2 seasons.
Patterson and Lucas were going to announce for UK in March during McDonalds A-A week.
Tubby had verbal from #1 junior in Michigna (Draymond Green) and was close to verbal from Top 25 rated Ohio big man Kenny Frease in 2008 class.
Nothing else you say is accurate, either. But these are some facts to prove you wrong.
UK was listed by other top rated 2008 recruits like Ed Davis, Drew Gordon, and Philip Jurick. And UK was high on the list of Darius Miller of Maysville KY too.
By jay
May 21, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
Yawn…Mr. Moore, didn’t you write this article five weeks ago?
By T Lewis
May 21, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
“Wildcat Wackos”??
A term like this can be applied to UGA much easier than UK. Let me remind Mr. Moore that it was only 7 years ago that Jim Donnan was FIRED - he didn’t chose to leave like Tubby - and his winning percentage was HIGHER (.678) than the program percentage (.642).
As a UK fan, I’m so tired of reading and listening to those outside the state who have no clue what is going on within the program constantly judging both it and our fanbase.
By FatJoeyC
May 21, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Tubby Smith can’t make it in the big time. Don’t feel bad for him, because he was not able to do what his predacessors did. He got paid pretty well at UK too, so dont cry too hard for 10 loss Tubby, he’s just fine. Sorry UK fans are winners.
By CHRIS
May 21, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Tubby Smith was not fired. He quit because he didnt want to shake up his staff. He took none of that staff with him to Minnesota. His pride cost him his job not the fans. I dont think Tubby would be happy with the way this article is written. He has spoken several times in the media of returning to Kentucky to retire. His jersey will hang in the rafters at Rupp Arena yet. Terrence Mooore wants you to believe it was a race issue. It was only a basketball issue.
By kyeric
May 21, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
Tom,
Over the last 2 years there was the following:
Not saying we wouldn’t have landed any of the recruits you mentioned, but we were also in on Brandan Wright, Thaddeus Young, Tyler Hansborough, JJ Hickson, and about 300 others we were “on the top of lists” for.
There are good stats and bad stats over the last 2 or 3(or 10) years. However, the bad stats were starting to outweigh the good.
Tubby was apparently not getting along with the AD, either, which was probably the biggest reason he was gone.
By mcdawg
May 21, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
and i have never gotten over the Dominique trade or the Brett Butler trade
By wildcat74
May 21, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
As a UK alum, state resident and fan for over 20 years, and as someone who has on two occaisions shaken tubby smiths hand and chatted with him, I can tell you tubby is a great coach…for a program like tulsa, georgia or minnesota.
His recruiting won’t get it done at a top notch program like UK.
And I didn’t even read the article… by just looking at who wrote it I can already tell its laced with a racial undertone.
By kyeric
May 21, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
No doubt, T Lewis.
Just like all the so-called basketball experts that say UK is down talent-wise and can’t compete with the “big boys” anymore, but complain when Tubby is “run out of town”.
By Der
May 21, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Ive decided not to renew my ajc subscription. Two reasons, Terrence Moore and Cynthia Mckinney, er Tucker.
These two can never write a single peice without bringing up race, or how the black man was treated poorly.
Well Mr. Moore, in this case the black man was treated like a king for 10 years, and he blew it.
By kyeric
May 21, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
CHRIS, I think the fact he didn’t take his staff or at least most of it, with him to Minnesota speaks volumes.
By M-B true Ballers
May 21, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Tubby Good job on Recruiting Jumaine Jones to UGA and for telling him to stay at Ga even though you could have been selfish and took him to Kentucky with you cause you knew his worth also thanks alot for given Mitchell-Baker its credit while at kentucky doing all the events you did for the school Big ups to you and your family and if you’re ever looking for another true baller you know where they at M-B and SOWEGA hola TUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By dhjisa
May 21, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
M-B true Ballers,
Take a breath, that sentence needs some commas or periods or something that makes it legible.
By k-rob
May 21, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
My, my, my Terence,
What a loser-loving, racist a* you are.
Go Cats!!!!
By tom
May 21, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Tubby Smith is a great man, good coach and a really, poor recruiter.
At one time, voted the most popular man in the State of Kentucky. I hope he does equally as well in some other one.
By Vomit
May 21, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Wildcat74 proves what arrogant a-holes KY Jelly fans are. You’ve had a good program, but the fact is you sniff UNC, Duke and UCLA heiny.
By Greg
May 21, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Mr. Moore, quit playing the race card, it had nothing to do with Tubby’s exit. Please go find some other cause to champion. I feel embarassed for you after this article.
By Greg
May 21, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
And another thing. I don’t feel bad for Tubby for dealing with all of us “whackos.” Why? Well I can give you 2.4 million reasons.
By T Lewis
May 21, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Hey vomit, Go check out the NCAA record for most program wins, tournament wins, tournament appearances, attendance, etc, etc. The only program that has any claim at all at being above Kentucky’s level is UCLA, and when you consider consistency over the years and fan support, that pushes UK to the top. UNC or Duke….puhlease.
By John
May 21, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
What is with youGeorgia folks and TM? You write as if he is the originator of the race card. He’s not. I know that reality sucks, but it was the other race that has the deck and does all the dealing.
By the way, if you think we have resolved the race problem, give me an idea of what was done to fix it. Just saying it isn’t enough.
Tubby was big enough to say that race was not an issue, but the AD readily admitted that that element exited in KY and that it was very vocal.
By kioi
May 21, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
Hey John,
Racism goes both ways. Jesse, Sharpton, and the likes of terence moore and cynthia tucker are proof positive.
By Tom Gray
May 21, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
No one is debating that the last 2 seasons were sub-par.
Interestingly, Tubby’s last 2 seasons are better than Lute Olson at Zona.
And yet, no one nudged Lute down the road.
Jim Calhoun has missed the NCAA twice this decade. No one whispered Leave in his ear.
For the folks above who knock Tubby’s recruiting, he signed 6 (of 9) RSCI Top 15 classes.
No other D1 coach signed more than 6 (of 9). No other D1 school signed more than 6 (of 9).
Clearly, there’s something else in the mix besides results and recruiting.
And it starts with an “r” too.
By Tom Gray
May 21, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
To those who mention disagreement with Mitch Bumhole, I agree.
Tubby Smith has a much better “fit” with AD Joel Maturi at Minnesota.
Maturi is a former basketball coach who knows coaching talent.
Mitch Bumhole has no clue (about coaching) but made an excellent hire in Billy Gillispie. Hopefully MB will let him coach and keep his mouth shut.
By Vomit
May 21, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Rupp’s been dead, what 100 years now? More recently and currently, you sniff UNC, Duke and UCLA heiny. Now kiss mine and die.
By Ibestubborn
May 21, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Hey TBoy,
I didn’t read your article, seldom do. But I can just imagine the slant it has. Tubby, like TYRONE(TiiiRone), like Mora Jr. sure did take other jobs quickly. ALL and I mean all were trying to show the world they were past it. Stupid boys, we all know they prefer to be where they were.
By Courtney H
May 21, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Tubby had a great run at Kentucky. Nobody can argue with the championship, the final four, the elite eights, and the sweet sixteen trips. The overall winning percentage is also very impressive. He is a great man and a great representative for MN- and was at UK as well. I wish him all the best at Minnesota and will be rooting for him always.
However, articles like this one like to vilify UK fans without telling the entire story. 30% of Tubby’s 83 losses at UK came in the last 2 seasons. His winning percentage was around 80% prior to 2005-05. He had 25 losses in the last 2 years. He had 4 straight losses to Vandy. He had 6 straight losses to Florida. He could not recruit a power forward in spite of the fact that the position was wide open at UK since Chuck Hayes left 3 years ago. He had 2 straight years without a bye in the SEC-tourney. He had 3 second round exits in the NCAA-Tourney in the last 4 years.
In other words, there is more to this story than rabid fans, unrealistic expectations, and bigotry. The on-court results were falling, and it was just time for Tubby to go. Even at this, though, he was not forced out. He refused staff changes and left for MN. Yet, he didn’t take any of that staff with him. As I say, I like Tubby, but there is more to this story than is printed here.
By GE
May 21, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Always interesting how white people refuse to admit that race is a factor in most things that happen in our society. It was a factor when the great Adolph Rupp and his “runts” got their butts handed to them by Texas Western back when race did matter. Tubby was right to go to Kentucky and he is right to leave now.
Not many top of the line coaches will stay with a program more than 10 years.Gillespie will not last five years because all of his top notch recruits will be gone to the NBA after their sophomore seasons. Kentucky is not the King of the SEC anymore as the other schools can recuit just as well as they do.
Time does change some things. It will never change the race issue no matter how far some of us keep burying their heads in the sand. TM, please keep this issue out front so that we do not get lulled to sleep by our inability to recognize.
By Fishtales
May 21, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Does UGA even play basketball anymore?
By Optimist
May 21, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
You Gawja Dawg sickos don’t know anything about Tide fans. Tubby is not Saban, who has great work ethic. Saban knows he is expected to win at Bama, and expects to do just that. Gawja will lose this year to the Tide. If Tubby had worked harder he could have won more NC’s at Kentucky. The Wildcats deserve more than Tubby gave them. Quit apologizing for a second tier coach.
By luke
May 21, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
Terrance,
I loved Tubby. I thought he was a great coach and I would have no problem trusting my sons with him. Winning 76% is pretty good, but the last two years were not great. Tubby could never get a power forward to play for him these last few years and it was the huge flaw in his teams. When North Carolina struggled with Matt Dougherty bombed, North Carolina fans reacted strongly. Why should we be any different.
By Bob
May 21, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
Just ask yourself did Tubby leave Kentucky in better shape than it was when he took over. The answer to that question says it all.
By Tom Gray
May 21, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Reasonably well stated, Luke. UK wins 76% all-time and that’s #1 - not just pretty good.
Except Matt Doherty was 27-36 his last 2 years at UNC and missed the NCAA both years.
Tubby was 44-25 and made the NCAA both years, winning 1 game each year.
See the difference?
By RedDawg
May 21, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Alert, Mr. Moore, Arkansas fires Stan Heath! Was that a racist act? How come that question has not been raised more than in passing? May I suggest no one cares? Write about UK and you get the response noted by all the above. Write about UA, or any of 100 others, and you get….NADA, ZIP. Now take this piece to the boss and show him/her how many people responded to your own late arriving conclusions that seem to be based on ulterior motives.
By Tom Gray
May 21, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Bob, Adolph Rupp left UK in worse shape in 1972 (failed to integrate the team). Joe Hall left it in worse shape (18-13) too. Ditto Eddie Sutton (13-19 and NCAA probation).
By UKFan
May 21, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Since it seems all UK fans are unrealistic - lets talk about football. What if UK fired its football coach for winning four straight bowl games and 73% of his football games over the same four years? Oh, but since UGA football fans expect more than what Jim Donnan could offer thats okay.
By Dave
May 21, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Skin color had nothing to do with Coach Smith’s ability as a coach. Nor did it have anything to do with his hiring or departure at the University of Kentucky. As long as writers like you keep writing articles like this one, it will continue to hurt those intended to help…
Dave from Bowling Green
By Dan
May 21, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
Tom Gray, study a little before you post. Rupp did integrate the team- 3 short years after the pious Dean Smith… the same Dean Smith who just so happened to coach the last all-white starting five in an NCAA Championship game. Bet you didn’t know that.
By Nick Saban
May 21, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
They expect to win at Kentucky? Those idiots!
By Tom Gray
May 21, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
UK recruited 1 black player in 10 years of trying under Rupp.
By Nick Saban
May 21, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
They expect to win at Kentucky? Those idiots!
By William J. Harding
May 21, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
Keep up the good clear reporting. I always enjoy reading your well research points of view.