responding to a few points at once:
creighton is definitely interested - did you have a source? they specifically asked and are very interested, but I am not sure about the fit. for the record, I know things 2nd hand, but ultimately the family decides everything. again great people. I would never want to share too much, but just responding generally.
not getting along with Pitino - as someone stated, 3 years is a long time to stay somewhere that you do not get along. I believe that the coaching style and player mentality is a bad fit. Tubby's style was a much better fit (he did recruit him after all).
that said, it is not all on Pitino in any way. Charles can be better. we all see it. some respond to Pitino-type coaching style. he has his own recruits who actively choose to play for him. it just wasnt the best fit, but to say they didnt get along seems dramatic.
Charles stayed because he picked Minnesota and not a coach. he did choose Tubby, but they all discussed when he chose the school that it is about the school. we tell all our kids pick a SCHOOL not a coach - coaches leave, fired, etc. Tubby in fact moved again, this time on his own.
Charles stayed at Minnesota because he loved it and wanted to be there. Pitino wanted him to be a big part of thing this season and always praised his potential. the team and Charles all wanted to do better this season, but there were other circumstances as well. I was fired up after 10 and 9 versus tourney team Temple. then the rest of the season did not go as well.
I think Charles can be better and Pitino knew that. I dont know that they knew how to push the right buttons with each other, so to speak.
I believe both parties have respect and also both want to move on - hence their very fair quotes in the release.
Charles can be better and clearly Minnesota will be better than last season. Buggs was a bit of an enigma for the Gophers, and will always be part of the programs history, even in an unpredictable fashion.
Long live Buggs over Iowa - that was so much fun to watch. Best of luck Gopher fans.