Nadine Babu STrib Blog - Was firing Tubby Smith the right thing to do?

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Nice job, Nadine. I will challenge a couple of points, though, particualrly on player development. While two of the three tourney appearances were with Monson's recruits, those guys were actually developed by Tubby and his staff. In particular, Monson was roundly criticized for recruiting and red shirting DJ, who turned out to be an excellent player who developed under the Smith grooup. Al Nolen and Blake came in as "well coached" players according to Smith and thrived under his leadership. Bringing Royce White into the equation given the turmoil he caused himself is a stretch. Cobbs left before having a chance to develop here. I think most fans who paid attention knew he was a good player and we were disappointed to see him go. For my money, that was the most damaging transfer of this era. I think you hit it head on with Colt, though. He toughed it out for three years and finally went to a place he could succeed, and proved he could play.

I am with you on the fan relations part, though. I have travelled to tournaments frequently in his tenure and I found Coach Smith affable, but not inviting, and you are absolutely correct that a coach here has to be a PR guy as well. There is no escaping it. The challenge is getting a guy who can both market and coach. Coach Smith was probably a quiet and introverted guy in an extroverts world.

I have said in other posts that I hope you all with the confidence in Teague are correct. I will believe when I see.
 

Holy Man said:
Nice job, Nadine. I will challenge a couple of points, though, particualrly on player development. While two of the three tourney appearances were with Monson's recruits, those guys were actually developed by Tubby and his staff. In particular, Monson was roundly criticized for recruiting and red shirting DJ, who turned out to be an excellent player who developed under the Smith grooup. Al Nolen and Blake came in as "well coached" players according to Smith and thrived under his leadership. Bringing Royce White into the equation given the turmoil he caused himself is a stretch. Cobbs left before having a chance to develop here. I think most fans who paid attention knew he was a good player and we were disappointed to see him go. For my money, that was the most damaging transfer of this era. I think you hit it head on with Colt, though. He toughed it out for three years and finally went to a place he could succeed, and proved he could play.

I am with you on the fan relations part, though. I have travelled to tournaments frequently in his tenure and I found Coach Smith affable, but not inviting, and you are absolutely correct that a coach here has to be a PR guy as well. There is no escaping it. The challenge is getting a guy who can both market and coach. Coach Smith was probably a quiet and introverted guy in an extroverts world.

I have said in other posts that I hope you all with the confidence in Teague are correct. I will believe when I see.
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Agree with all your takes Holy Man. The firing has set in and I am fully on board with it and excited for our future. That said, I also realize that when emotions run high, I think we always paint things differently. I think Tubby ultimately had to go and did not get the job done, however there are many things being cited now that are just not accurate mainly because he's gone and its easy to do. Personally I don't understand why Dutcher had to say what he said recently.. I think he needs a filter.

I'm now 100% focused on Buzz Smart as our next coach.. or someone like that. If we don't have a new coach by Thursday, that means its hopefully GM or BW, both of whom are still coaching.
 

When one looks at the big picture, I agree with you GL that it was time for a new path. I thought you clarified several points, both pros and cons, that made the big picture clear, and Teague has the guts to change horses at the Weigh Station. Well done, and thank you.
 

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