BleedGopher
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Tubby Smith Expects U to Be ‘Last’ Job
Tubby Smith told Sports Headliners he expects “my last job” will be as Gophers basketball coach.
Smith, 59, begins his fourth season coaching the Gophers when practice officially starts on Friday. During his brief career at Minnesota, Smith’s name has frequently been linked to rumors about coaching vacancies at other schools.
So far Smith, who won a national championship while coaching at Kentucky, has stayed here and although he may continue to be a popular name for the rumor game he talked about commitment to Minnesota in his interview with Sports Headliners. “I hope it will be my last job,” he said. “I plan it to be my last job. I expect it to be my last job.”
It’s been known for awhile that a contract extension is in the works for Smith who even now has four years remaining on his agreement and earns about $2 million per season. Smith said the timing on the extension isn’t urgent and he acknowledged that athletic director Joel Maturi has many responsibilities in his department.
“I am not in a hurry and I think Joel’s got a lot of other things he’s got to deal with,” Smith said. “So I told him all along I don’t plan on going anywhere. If I did, it wouldn’t matter whether I signed an extension or not. …
“We’re hoping something will get done, and we’re planning on something getting done. And it’s in the works.”
Smith has coached his last two teams to NCAA tournament appearances. The 2009-2010 team made it to the finals of the Big Ten tournament before losing to Ohio State. His overall record in three years with the Gophers is 63-39. His last two teams have finished in the Big Ten first division during the regular seasons.
Smith’s expectations for himself and the program are more than what’s been delivered so far. Smith said winning “generates more excitement” and he wants his teams at the top of the Big Ten. He thought last year was a “modest setback” because of the season long suspensions of promising recruits Royce White and Trevor Mbakwe. Those two were part of a recruiting class that ranked with the best ever at Minnesota and now White has transferred to Iowa State.
But Mbakwe is cleared to play and another member of the much publicized recruiting class, Rodney Williams, showed promise last year and is likely to contribute even more to a Gophers team that is considered a top 35 school nationally by pollsters. Mbakwe, Williams and seven others who were on last year’s roster return for a team that figures to count defense and rebounding among its best assets, and could finish the season among the surprise success stories in the Big Ten.
Smith Looking for Practice Facility Donors
Winning isn’t the only thing on Smith’s mind these days. He wants a new practice facility adjacent to Williams Arena and won’t hesitate to ask for donors, starting with a lead donor.
“People are looking to give back and support the University,” Smith said. “You go around this country, around this state, (and) people they love the U. So the best way to show your love is to share. I guess to share your wealth and people are doing that.”
Smith said Northwestern and Minnesota are the only Big Ten schools without practice facilities separate from their arena playing floors. Practice facilities have become a recruiting tool in the college basketball arms race. A new practice facility at Minnesota with amenities to impress recruits would provide a stunning contrast to drab Williams Arena, a facility that dates back to 1928 and one that recruits often see empty on non-game days.
Minnesota hasn’t made public what the cost of a new practice facility will be but last year Michigan approved such a facility for $23 million. No formal plan has been announced by the Gophers regarding a facility.
On Friday night fans can have a first look at the Gophers. Admission is free for “Tubby’s Tip Off” in Williams Arena with doors opening at 8:30 p.m. Team autographs are available from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Other activities will include three point and dunk contests, and a scrimmage beginning at 11 p.m.
http://www.shamasportsheadliners.com/
Go Gophers!!
Tubby Smith told Sports Headliners he expects “my last job” will be as Gophers basketball coach.
Smith, 59, begins his fourth season coaching the Gophers when practice officially starts on Friday. During his brief career at Minnesota, Smith’s name has frequently been linked to rumors about coaching vacancies at other schools.
So far Smith, who won a national championship while coaching at Kentucky, has stayed here and although he may continue to be a popular name for the rumor game he talked about commitment to Minnesota in his interview with Sports Headliners. “I hope it will be my last job,” he said. “I plan it to be my last job. I expect it to be my last job.”
It’s been known for awhile that a contract extension is in the works for Smith who even now has four years remaining on his agreement and earns about $2 million per season. Smith said the timing on the extension isn’t urgent and he acknowledged that athletic director Joel Maturi has many responsibilities in his department.
“I am not in a hurry and I think Joel’s got a lot of other things he’s got to deal with,” Smith said. “So I told him all along I don’t plan on going anywhere. If I did, it wouldn’t matter whether I signed an extension or not. …
“We’re hoping something will get done, and we’re planning on something getting done. And it’s in the works.”
Smith has coached his last two teams to NCAA tournament appearances. The 2009-2010 team made it to the finals of the Big Ten tournament before losing to Ohio State. His overall record in three years with the Gophers is 63-39. His last two teams have finished in the Big Ten first division during the regular seasons.
Smith’s expectations for himself and the program are more than what’s been delivered so far. Smith said winning “generates more excitement” and he wants his teams at the top of the Big Ten. He thought last year was a “modest setback” because of the season long suspensions of promising recruits Royce White and Trevor Mbakwe. Those two were part of a recruiting class that ranked with the best ever at Minnesota and now White has transferred to Iowa State.
But Mbakwe is cleared to play and another member of the much publicized recruiting class, Rodney Williams, showed promise last year and is likely to contribute even more to a Gophers team that is considered a top 35 school nationally by pollsters. Mbakwe, Williams and seven others who were on last year’s roster return for a team that figures to count defense and rebounding among its best assets, and could finish the season among the surprise success stories in the Big Ten.
Smith Looking for Practice Facility Donors
Winning isn’t the only thing on Smith’s mind these days. He wants a new practice facility adjacent to Williams Arena and won’t hesitate to ask for donors, starting with a lead donor.
“People are looking to give back and support the University,” Smith said. “You go around this country, around this state, (and) people they love the U. So the best way to show your love is to share. I guess to share your wealth and people are doing that.”
Smith said Northwestern and Minnesota are the only Big Ten schools without practice facilities separate from their arena playing floors. Practice facilities have become a recruiting tool in the college basketball arms race. A new practice facility at Minnesota with amenities to impress recruits would provide a stunning contrast to drab Williams Arena, a facility that dates back to 1928 and one that recruits often see empty on non-game days.
Minnesota hasn’t made public what the cost of a new practice facility will be but last year Michigan approved such a facility for $23 million. No formal plan has been announced by the Gophers regarding a facility.
On Friday night fans can have a first look at the Gophers. Admission is free for “Tubby’s Tip Off” in Williams Arena with doors opening at 8:30 p.m. Team autographs are available from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Other activities will include three point and dunk contests, and a scrimmage beginning at 11 p.m.
http://www.shamasportsheadliners.com/
Go Gophers!!
