Hat tip to Tubby and the staff thread!

Donate To GopherHole
BleedGopher

BleedGopher

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Messages
61,972
Reaction score
18,166
Points
113
Thanks to Tubby and the staff...they are leaving this program in better shape than they inherited it. They gave us some great memories (I will never forget the Indiana game this year!!) and Tubby always represented the University with class. They didn't win as many games as most of us had hoped, but no doubt they'll have opportunities if they so choose to continue in the profession.

A lot of lives are impacted when a coach gets fired and I hope they all have bright futures ahead of them.

Here's hoping that Tubby does in fact get elected to the HOF one day as it will be special for Minnesotans as well.

Go Gophers!!
 

I agree with this, completely. I wish Tubby wouldn't have been fired, though I was on board with some members of his staff getting canned. However, I've met Tubby a few times, and he was always a completely warm, caring, and classy individual. I feel bad at how it ended for him, and hope he can find another job that brings him success. Nothing but the best.
 

Wishing you the best, Tubby. Hope you are incredibly successful at your next job.
 

BleedGopher said:
Thanks to Tubby and the staff...they are leaving this program in better shape than they inherited it. They gave us some great memories (I will never forget the Indiana game this year!!) and Tubby always represented the University with class. They didn't win as many games as most of us had hoped, but no doubt they'll have opportunities if they so choose to continue in the profession.

A lot of lives are impacted when a coach gets fired and I hope they all have bright futures ahead of them.

Here's hoping that Tubby does in fact get elected to the HOF one day as it will be special for Minnesotans as well.

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

+1. It turns out we were, as many fans including myself have chanted, not worthy. Tubby and his staff will have no problem finding jobs, and I wish them all the best of luck (which they did not have here) in the future.
 




I have nothing but respect for Tubby. I thank him and the staff for improving the program. Its not yet at the point to make everyone happy, thus the move, but he certainly improved the program. Its in good shape and with the right hire, we shouldn't have to miss a beat and actually improve from here.

Tubby was a class act. Old school might not work with players.. but I can think of a lot worse things to be in this day and age.

Thanks Tubby, I'll miss you.
 

Agreed. Tubby is a class act. Whether or not you want him gone, this thread is simply about thanking the man.

160px-Coolidge_after_signing_indian_treaty.jpg
 

Great thread. Thanks for everything, Tubby. Program is definitely in better shape than when you arrived.
 



Rouser said:
I have nothing but respect for Tubby. I thank him and the staff for improving the program. Its not yet at the point to make everyone happy, thus the move, but he certainly improved the program. Its in good shape and with the right hire, we shouldn't have to miss a beat and actually improve from here.

Tubby was a class act. Old school might not work with players.. but I can think of a lot worse things to be in this day and age.

Thanks Tubby, I'll miss you.
Click to expand...

+1

I really respect Tubby and wish things had worked out here. Still not sure what went wrong. He could make some brilliant coaching moves (the press on UCLA) and really develop some players (Andre, Trevor). The B1G is tough. Who ever gets the job now better win. Not surprised if many coaches want no part of this deal.
 

Agreed. I wish Tubby and staff well. He did leave us much better than he found us. I'm sorry we never got to see what the 2009-10 team could do. I'm sorry it didn't go better after that. But there were some great moments and I'll root for Tubby if he continues coaching.
 

Thanks to Tubby as well, he's been nothing but class since arriving in Minnesota and seems to be handling his exit in the same way. He certainly has some things he could gripe about and it is really too bad that he never got the facilities he was promised. I think he would share our disappointment in the on court record, but there are three specific things that I will always thank him for:

1. Class- There was never a doubt that the Gophers were a clean team under Tubby Smith and that he wasn't involved in some of the things that might be necessary to win the way some of us want to win. I think most programs at least bend the rules, I don't feel Tubby is one of those guys.

2. Effort- You can point to a few games where this team didn't play hard over the course of 6 seasons, but VERY few. It was very nice to see the Gophers be the type of team that was first on the floor for a loose ball and that level of effort might have been the biggest difference between the Tubby and Monson years.

3. Statement- At the time Tubby Smith (with his name) took this job, it was a BIG deal. It said that Minnesota was a good job and someplace where a big name coach would go (something some in the media seem to have already forgot...).

A 4th thing that I initially overlooked is Tubby reversed the trend of the best Minnesota kids leaving the state. Up until the last of the Monson years, the Gophers got most of the kids they wanted in-state, but then the floodgates opened. Tubby landed Royce, Rodney, Joe...I don't think a top 100 Minnesota kid left the state during his tenure.

A sincere thanks to Tubby Smith and his staff for their time at the University of Minnesota and best of luck in the future.
 

Although I think it was time for Tubby to go, I am thankful for what he did for the program. I always liked Tubby as a person, and I think a majority of the players did too. Minnesota basketball gained some national relevance in recent years because of Tubby. It's safe to say he left the program better off than when he started. Thanks Tubby, and I wish you good luck in whatever you choose to do in the future!
 



I have nothing but respect for Tubby. Thanks for making us relevant and running a clean program. Will forever be appreciated.
 

Best wishes Tubby. I appreciated your class and integrity in the increasingly seedy world of college athletics. You represented the U well.
 

Tubby, Saul, and family - thank you so much for taking a chance on our beloved university and the state of Minnesota. Many of us will be forever grateful.
 


Thank you for starting this thread. I was just talking to a friend about how tough this is for coaches...we think about them not as humans, but just as wins and losses - and there is a human side to this. I'm sure this ripped Tubby apart, especially because he didn't see it coming. I remember people telling me that with Monson's buyout he must have been sitting pretty - but you could see how hard it was for him. When you live, eat and breath basketball, it's about doing what you love...and the money is there, but it's your passion. It's not like Tubby Smith needs more money, but I'm sure he loves the game.

He's done nothing but represent the U with class, run a clean program, and leave us in a good position for the future. Thank you Tubby and Donna - it was a little bittersweet, because he is a good guy. I truly hope we get someone that can take us to the next level...that's a top tier of coaches only.
 



Thank you, Tubby, for reigniting my interest in Gopher hoops. Prior to you taking over, I hardly paid any attention. Ever since Haskins left the program in a hurt, I admit I gave most my Gopher love to the football team. You brought excitement not only to me, but to the rest of Minnesota. I remember seeing random gas stations and small businesses putting up 'Welcome to Minnesota, Tubby!!' up on their signs on the day you were hired. Thank you for being a class act and full of integrity. And thank you for leaving the program in better shape than it was when you arrived.
 

Incredibly sad day for me, I was really looking forward to next year and all the possibilities. I worry that this is another Mason situation where in a few years we will be wishing Teague had never come and Tubby had never left. Maybe I don’t like change but I fully support Teague and Kaler getting the boot.

I want to thank the players and coaches for all the memories from Westbrook who never paused but shot, to Hoffarber who never missed, to Nolen who never stopped…

Fun to look back over the recruits
http://minnesota.scout.com/a.z?s=176&p=9&c=16&cfg=bb&yr=2009

So much for Minnesota nice; I guess that too is melting in the heat and pursuit of a few more shinny beads…

As a football season ticket holder this really gives one pause, I guess you have to be like Kill and burn players red shirt year so you don’t get the canned...

A sad day...
 

GopherLady said:
Thank you for starting this thread. I was just talking to a friend about how tough this is for coaches...we think about them not as humans, but just as wins and losses - and there is a human side to this. I'm sure this ripped Tubby apart, especially because he didn't see it coming. I remember people telling me that with Monson's buyout he must have been sitting pretty - but you could see how hard it was for him. When you live, eat and breath basketball, it's about doing what you love...and the money is there, but it's your passion. It's not like Tubby Smith needs more money, but I'm sure he loves the game.

He's done nothing but represent the U with class, run a clean program, and leave us in a good position for the future. Thank you Tubby and Donna - it was a little bittersweet, because he is a good guy. I truly hope we get someone that can take us to the next level...that's a top tier of coaches only.
Click to expand...

You said it all better than I could. Exactly.

Each time I was fortunate enough to meet Tubby, he was nothing but wonderful. My uncle was in facilities management at Williams when Tubby was first hired. He (my uncle) took me and my best friend, then seniors in HS, to tour the lesser known parts of Williams a few months after Tubby's hire. We stopped near Tubby's office and my uncle said, "this is where coach's office is, but let's not get too close, he's at work" or something like that. Tubby heard him and said, loudly, "Hey man! Bring em' in here" and he and coach Espo were in there. We introduced ourselves and they joked around with us for a few minutes and he was asking us where the good places to eat are in the Twin Cities, etc. Tubby told us that he's loved it so far and that he thinks we would, too, and if we decided to come here he hopes we'll help support the program. He shook both of our hands and made some joke about how we were tall and "have you guys considered trying out?" and then he told us both to take care, by name. It really made an impression on me.

The on the court stuff wasn't always pretty and I think this was probably the right decision, but this is a good man who has lost his job and I wish him nothing but the very best.
 

A friend of mine was doing masonry work at the Bierman Building a few years ago. He said that Tubby offered to move his car so that my friend could be closer when he unloaded his equipment. My friend said that Brewster seemed pretty arrogant, but Tubby came across as a good guy.
 


JDGopher said:
You said it all better than I could. Exactly.

Each time I was fortunate enough to meet Tubby, he was nothing but wonderful. My uncle was in facilities management at Williams when Tubby was first hired. He (my uncle) took me and my best friend, then seniors in HS, to tour the lesser known parts of Williams a few months after Tubby's hire. We stopped near Tubby's office and my uncle said, "this is where coach's office is, but let's not get too close, he's at work" or something like that. Tubby heard him and said, loudly, "Hey man! Bring em' in here" and he and coach Espo were in there. We introduced ourselves and they joked around with us for a few minutes and he was asking us where the good places to eat are in the Twin Cities, etc. Tubby told us that he's loved it so far and that he thinks we would, too, and if we decided to come here he hopes we'll help support the program. He shook both of our hands and made some joke about how we were tall and "have you guys considered trying out?" and then he told us both to take care, by name. It really made an impression on me.

The on the court stuff wasn't always pretty and I think this was probably the right decision, but this is a good man who has lost his job and I wish him nothing but the very best.
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing that..always nice to read stories like this.. the guy is human after all.
 

Jon said:
Incredibly sad day for me, I was really looking forward to next year and all the possibilities. I worry that this is another Mason situation where in a few years we will be wishing Teague had never come and Tubby had never left. Maybe I don’t like change but I fully support Teague and Kaler getting the boot.

I want to thank the players and coaches for all the memories from Westbrook who never paused but shot, to Hoffarber who never missed, to Nolen who never stopped…

Fun to look back over the recruits
http://minnesota.scout.com/a.z?s=176&p=9&c=16&cfg=bb&yr=2009

So much for Minnesota nice; I guess that too is melting in the heat and pursuit of a few more shinny beads…

As a football season ticket holder this really gives one pause, I guess you have to be like Kill and burn players red shirt year so you don’t get the canned...

A sad day...
Click to expand...

Just watched coach Izzo say how this is a sad day for the Big Ten and a sad day for college basketball.
I hope we replace the “We hate Iowa” cheers with “Can Kaler” and “Time to go Teague”. These knobs aren’t the school they are problems that we will over come; fire them now. Maybe the legislature instead of spreading more gambling and drinking should stand for something.
 

GopherLady said:
He's done nothing but represent the U with class, run a clean program, and leave us in a good position for the future.
Click to expand...

In the very relentless, and heavily scrutinized thing we call college basketball, we easily forget the most important thing. GL hit it on the head.

Thank you Tubby, sooooo much for representing one of the best Universities in this country with a ton of class, and heart, and not sinking this program into the gutters, where some classless coaches would have put it. You are a great man Tubby, I hope for the best and have enjoyed your time here at the U. Thanks for giving us your time, your hard work ethic, and positive attitude, and I really hope that push you have aways given us to get a new practice facility finally does pan out. Wish you could have been here to see that at least happen. Good luck and thank you again.
 

Jon said:
Just watched coach Izzo say how this is a sad day for the Big Ten and a sad day for college basketball.
I hope we replace the “We hate Iowa” cheers with “Can Kaler” and “Time to go Teague”. These knobs aren’t the school they are problems that we will over come; fire them now. Maybe the legislature instead of spreading more gambling and drinking should stand for something.
Click to expand...

So will we tip our hat to Tubby if he lines up a new job at say Memphis and Tyus, Reid and Rashad are in his first class?
From twitter (Michigan's John Beilein upset to see Minnesota fire Tubby Smith, a coach he calls a 'hall of famer' -)

https://mobile.twitter.com/GophersNow
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom