Tubby can recover

[bga1]

Face it folks- Tubby is going nowhere except by his choosing. The program is over a barrel with him. Two years to go and there will be no buyout. He's more likely to get a pseudo extension (no buyout with added years for recruiting purposes) than be fired.

So - in my opinion we need to hope for a recovery with Tubby at the helm. Here's what I'd like to see:

1. Finish this year by offering big minutes to Andre Hollins, Coleman, and EE. That's your future. Let's start commiting to them now and see what they can do over the next several games. Live with the mistakes and grow their confidence by backing them.

2. After the season it's time for a staff overhaul. Find the best available recruiter and and offensive mind and hire them on. Get the players on a big time no nonsense summer lifting and conditioning program such that they come back better, stronger players next fall.

3. It's time for a statement of future goals. Without Brewser-like bluster I want to hear that we are going all out to compete for a Big Ten Championship. I want to see some recommitment by our coach. I think there are a couple of future recruits in town who need to hear that as well.

4. The new athletic director and Kaler need to announce that we are going forward with the the practice facility and tie it to the money they are going to gain from the premium seating as well as other fundraising. I don't care how they do it-just get it done. No more excuses.

Tubby can recover in a big way with just a top 5 finish next year. The team will not be young anymore. I would love to see us go after a nasty Juco PF who can give this team some physical leadership if we don't get the miraculous 6th year out of Mbakwe. If he can muster a big year next year we might stand a fighting chance with Jones or Vaughn or both. That's the best hope for the program.

 

[KyGopherfan]

I agree. Tubby has had some horrible luck at the U. I don't know of a coach who has been snakebit as much as Tubby in the past several years.

He's definitely not going to get fired and I don't believe he's quitting, so what'll happen is that he'll get the extension. There might be some changes on the staff I suppose. But it's ridiculous for people to think that Tubby will get canned.

I also don't think this season is over yet either. I mean, we were all in the dumps when we were 0-4, then they surprisingly won at Indiana. So there's still some good games left to make an impression. We'll see.

 

[GoodasGold]

The devil will be in the details. Just keep this or any other comprehensive recovery plan out of the administrative oversight of any recently named Special Assistants to the President.

 

[Moonlight]

Bga - We better hope he can recover because, as you said, we are not in a position to fire him. Concern is that we need a Matt Painter-type assistant, a de facto replacement in the wings and Tubby expects that to be his son.
And Good - there is a bit of talk like this going around, which makes it surprising that Maturi is being kept around - of all people. Bad time for us to have a floundering BB program.

 

[scher215]

Face it folks- Tubby is going nowhere except by his choosing. The program is over a barrel with him. Two years to go and there will be no buyout. He's more likely to get a pseudo extension (no buyout with added years for recruiting purposes) than be fired.

So - in my opinion we need to hope for a recovery with Tubby at the helm. Here's what I'd like to see:

1. Finish this year by offering big minutes to Andre Hollins, Coleman, and EE. That's your future. Let's start commiting to them now and see what they can do over the next several games. Live with the mistakes and grow their confidence by backing them.

2. After the season it's time for a staff overhaul. Find the best available recruiter and and offensive mind and hire them on. Get the players on a big time no nonsense summer lifting and conditioning program such that they come back better, stronger players next fall.

3. It's time for a statement of future goals. Without Brewser-like bluster I want to hear that we are going all out to compete for a Big Ten Championship. I want to see some recommitment by our coach. I think there are a couple of future recruits in town who need to hear that as well.

4. The new athletic director and Kaler need to announce that we are going forward with the the practice facility and tie it to the money they are going to gain from the premium seating as well as other fundraising. I don't care how they do it-just get it done. No more excuses.

Tubby can recover in a big way with just a top 5 finish next year. The team will not be young anymore. I would love to see us go after a nasty Juco PF who can give this team some physical leadership if we don't get the miraculous 6th year out of Mbakwe. If he can muster a big year next year we might stand a fighting chance with Jones or Vaughn or both. That's the best hope for the program.

Excellent post. Agree 100%

 

[bga1]

Bga - We better hope he can recover because, as you said, we are not in a position to fire him. Concern is that we need a Matt Painter-type assistant, a de facto replacement in the wings and Tubby expects that to be his son.
And Good - there is a bit of talk like this going around, which makes it surprising that Maturi is being kept around - of all people. Bad time for us to have a floundering BB program.

You are right about the Matt Painter thing. I would hope that Tubby has, by now, gotten the drift that Saul is not going to be the next coach here. Maybe he is ready to help place Saul somewhere at a small college and move on with a big time assistant. Yep it's bad timing to be floundering. This is save our ship time or we could be in for another long drought. Tubby has won before and won big. There has to be enough pride in his legacy to want to pull out all the stops to turn this thing. Just showing up again next year doing the same stuff is not going to cut it.

 

[notagopherfan]

keep in mind the team had to completely change it's style of play because Mbakwe went down. I sure hope the kid gets to come back next year. Along with Mo, a stronger EE and Oto that's a pretty good physical presence and it will open up things for everybody else. If you don't make the NCAA tournament this year, barring a complete tanking, the NIT will be a good possibility. Any type of post season will be great for these guys. There are some good signs for this team though. Seeing good things out of EE, Oto, Coleman and Dre. Welch has been great. Austin Hollins has great potential as well. Just need some rebounding and less turnovers and this team will get over the hump.

 

[scher215]

The biggest key is NO major transfers. Zero. If there are significant transfers, again, he's gotta be on a very hot seat.

If Mav, Chip, or Ingram leave its not ideal but it is manageable, especially if there is a guy who we can give that scholarship to like Johnny Woodard or Philip Nolan, but anyone else and they'd need to produce a good season to save him.

 

[notagopherfan]

You are right about the Matt Painter thing. I would hope that Tubby has, by now, gotten the drift that Saul is not going to be the next coach here. Maybe he is ready to help place Saul somewhere at a small college and move on with a big time assistant. Yep it's bad timing to be floundering. This is save our ship time or we could be in for another long drought. Tubby has won before and won big. There has to be enough pride in his legacy to want to pull out all the stops to turn this thing. Just showing up again next year doing the same stuff is not going to cut it.

He ain't getting rid of Saul. Saul is a good coach though. Don't be so quick to dismiss his abilities. I've seen Saul coach at Tennessee Tech games when he was an assistant there. He and another assistant took turns running the team during games when their coach came down with Guillain-Barré syndrome. He's very motivating. A young guy like him could be just what the doctor ordered.

 

[scher215]

He ain't getting rid of Saul. Saul is a good coach though. Don't be so quick to dismiss his abilities. I've seen Saul coach at Tennessee Tech games when he was an assistant there. He and another assistant took turns running the team during games when their coach came down with Guillain-Barré syndrome. He's very motivating. A young guy like him could be just what the doctor ordered.

I think Saul is an okay coach. He also wasn't a bad PG, fair or not people will always think he is only successful because his dad puts him there. Same as the coaches kid on a youth baseball team.

I think Gophers need to get an offensive coach who is known for pushing the tempo. Who is really a run and gun guy that tubby will let run the offense and he can run the defense. Then hire a recruiting specialist. Sucks Jimmy Williams didn't work out, but gotta find someone to fill that role. Tubby has to relinquish some control of the offense though and get someone who can teach and run the UNC offense. Push push push.

I'd almost say keep tubby and Saul. And replace Jirsa and Taylor with an O-coordinator and recruiter.

 

[station19]

I think Saul is an okay coach. He also wasn't a bad PG, fair or not people will always think he is only successful because his dad puts him there. Same as the coaches kid on a youth baseball team.

I think Gophers need to get an offensive coach who is known for pushing the tempo. Who is really a run and gun guy that tubby will let run the offense and he can run the defense. Then hire a recruiting specialist. Sucks Jimmy Williams didn't work out, but gotta find someone to fill that role. Tubby has to relinquish some control of the offense though and get someone who can teach and run the UNC offense. Push push push.

I'd almost say keep tubby and Saul. And replace Jirsa and Taylor with an O-coordinator and recruiter.

Wouldn't this just leave Tubby as a defensive assistant, ala Molinari.

 

[GoodasGold]

I think Saul is an okay coach. He also wasn't a bad PG, fair or not people will always think he is only successful because his dad puts him there. as the coaches kid on a youth baseball team.

I think Gophers need to get an offensive coach who is known for pushing the tempo. Who is really a run and gun guy that tubby will let run the offense and he can run the defense. Then hire a recruiting specialist. Sucks Jimmy Williams didn't work out, but gotta find someone to fill that role. Tubby has to relinquish some control of the offense though and get someone who can teach and run the UNC offense. Push push push.

I'd almost say keep tubby and Saul. And replace Jirsa and Taylor with an O-coordinator and recruiter.

See: Pat Knight; Chad Hartman; Kim Jong Un.

 

[scher215]

Wouldn't this just leave Tubby as a defensive assistant, ala Molinari.

He'd still have the title of head coach. It's like belichek in NE. he runs the D and is the head coach, but then he has an offensive coach as well.

It'd be the same as hiring an offensive coordinator and then hiring gopher basketballs version of Tim Brewster at Texas. Mack Brown was still head coach but Brew was his recruiter/salesman.

 

[RoyalGopher]

Face it folks- Tubby is going nowhere except by his choosing. The program is over a barrel with him. Two years to go and there will be no buyout. He's more likely to get a pseudo extension (no buyout with added years for recruiting purposes) than be fired.

Agreed. I can't stand GHers that think Tubby is going to get fired. The administration is not going to get rid of him and replace him with another Tubby Smith type hire...except better? He's not even costing us that much. For a coach with a ring, being the 6th highest paid coach in the B1G isn't bad.

1. Finish this year by offering big minutes to Andre Hollins, Coleman, and EE. That's your future. Let's start commiting to them now and see what they can do over the next several games. Live with the mistakes and grow their confidence by backing them.

I don't agree with this, because we still have a chance at making the tournament. Lunardi still only has us as the second team out.

2. After the season it's time for a staff overhaul. Find the best available recruiter and and offensive mind and hire them on. Get the players on a big time no nonsense summer lifting and conditioning program such that they come back better, stronger players next fall.

Completely agreed. As I think Bob? said, we need to get one of those recruiters with the slicked-back hair and shades.

4. The new athletic director and Kaler need to announce that we are going forward with the the practice facility and tie it to the money they are going to gain from the premium seating as well as other fundraising. I don't care how they do it-just get it done. No more excuses.

If I were Tubby, I wouldn't sign an extension if there wasn't a plan in place for the practice facility.

Tubby can recover in a big way with just a top 5 finish next year. The team will not be young anymore. I would love to see us go after a nasty Juco PF who can give this team some physical leadership if we don't get the miraculous 6th year out of Mbakwe. If he can muster a big year next year we might stand a fighting chance with Jones or Vaughn or both. That's the best hope for the program.[/QUOTE]

 

[RoyalGopher]

He'd still have the title of head coach. It's like belichek in NE. he runs the D and is the head coach, but then he has an offensive coach as well.

It'd be the same as hiring an offensive coordinator and then hiring gopher basketballs version of Tim Brewster at Texas. Mack Brown was still head coach but Brew was his recruiter/salesman.

Kind of like Fritz and Tauer at St. Thomas. Tauer ran the offense.

 

[notagopherfan]

I think Saul is an okay coach. He also wasn't a bad PG, fair or not people will always think he is only successful because his dad puts him there. Same as the coaches kid on a youth baseball team.

I think Gophers need to get an offensive coach who is known for pushing the tempo. Who is really a run and gun guy that tubby will let run the offense and he can run the defense. Then hire a recruiting specialist. Sucks Jimmy Williams didn't work out, but gotta find someone to fill that role. Tubby has to relinquish some control of the offense though and get someone who can teach and run the UNC offense. Push push push.

I'd almost say keep tubby and Saul. And replace Jirsa and Taylor with an O-coordinator and recruiter.

Vince Taylor played at Duke and was a guard. Also played for the Knicks when Hubie Brown was the coach and played over seas. Vince was a Timberwolves assistant as well. Vince will probably be a candidate for the Western Kentucky job as he was last time it was open. Eventually Vince will be a head coach. Just has too many credentials not to be someday.

Saul Smith played at UK and was a PG, helped win a national championship at UK. Both of these guys have good if not great credentials. Jirsa is probably a guy that is dispensible but he's Tubby's good friend so I doubt that happens. I'm afraid these are the guys you're stuck with unless Tubby gets fired.

 

[station19]

See: Pat Knight; Chad Hartman; Kim Jong Un.

That is quite the list of names to say the least.

 

[notagopherfan]

I don't think Tubby has ever fired an assistant. He's just too nice and loyal to do so.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Face it folks- Tubby is going nowhere except by his choosing. The program is over a barrel with him. Two years to go and there will be no buyout. He's more likely to get a pseudo extension (no buyout with added years for recruiting purposes) than be fired.

So - in my opinion we need to hope for a recovery with Tubby at the helm. Here's what I'd like to see:

1. Finish this year by offering big minutes to Andre Hollins, Coleman, and EE. That's your future. Let's start commiting to them now and see what they can do over the next several games. Live with the mistakes and grow their confidence by backing them.

2. After the season it's time for a staff overhaul. Find the best available recruiter and and offensive mind and hire them on. Get the players on a big time no nonsense summer lifting and conditioning program such that they come back better, stronger players next fall.

3. It's time for a statement of future goals. Without Brewser-like bluster I want to hear that we are going all out to compete for a Big Ten Championship. I want to see some recommitment by our coach. I think there are a couple of future recruits in town who need to hear that as well.

4. The new athletic director and Kaler need to announce that we are going forward with the the practice facility and tie it to the money they are going to gain from the premium seating as well as other fundraising. I don't care how they do it-just get it done. No more excuses.

Tubby can recover in a big way with just a top 5 finish next year. The team will not be young anymore. I would love to see us go after a nasty Juco PF who can give this team some physical leadership if we don't get the miraculous 6th year out of Mbakwe. If he can muster a big year next year we might stand a fighting chance with Jones or Vaughn or both. That's the best hope for the program.

Agree with most here. But I will say I think he needs to come up with some kind of rotation. Right now he's all over the place with his minutes and substitutions.

Him putting in Ingram and Maverick were mind-boggling. It's almost like he's become so nice that he feels he has to let everyone play. He pulled Ingram after less than a minute which was good, but that means he never really had to play him in the first place. And who knows what he was thinking at the end with Maverick.

 

[scher215]

Agree with most here. But I will say I think he needs to come up with some kind of rotation. Right now he's all over the place with his minutes and substitutions.

Him putting in Ingram and Maverick were mind-boggling. It's almost like he's become so nice that he feels he has to let everyone play. He pulled Ingram after less than a minute which was good, but that means he never really had to play him in the first place. And who knows what he was thinking at the end with Maverick.

Agreed.

Btw, whathavewedone, minggg, and BarnBurner. Please take notes on this thread. This whole thread and original post from BGA1 is how you criticize tubby or anyone without sounding like an angry tool.

 

[Stan]

Why does anyone think Tubby will change? He is a stubborn coach which is a good and bad thing and for us now, it's a bad thing. He talks in the off-season about playing up tempo and pressing and getting after it. But he doesn't allow it during the season. He may fire an assistant, but don't expect him to give up any ounce of control with the program. All this change is fun to think about but not realistic.

 

[minngg]

I don't think Tubby has ever fired an assistant. He's just too nice and loyal to do so.

he surrounds himself with cronies. Let's not sugar coat it.

 

[Stan]

Agreed.

Btw, whathavewedone, minggg, and BarnBurner. Please take notes on this thread. This whole thread and original post from BGA1 is how you criticize tubby or anyone without sounding like an angry tool.

+1

 

[minngg]

Agreed.

Btw, whathavewedone, minggg, and BarnBurner. Please take notes on this thread. This whole thread and original post from BGA1 is how you criticize tubby or anyone without sounding like an angry tool.

First of all, bga makes some excellent points and some I do not agree with. Second, I don't need to take note from anybody when expressing my opinion. He has his opinion, I have mine. I am not going to be pressured by anyone on this baord to change my opinion. I will change when I see something that changes my opinion.

Here is the deal, you do not have to give Tubby an extension. You don't need to fire him. Why does it have to be one or the other? He has his recruiting class for next year and the team is young. Just say no to an extension at this time. Tubby doesn't like it? He can walk with no buyout.

Also, I don't need to listen to ideas from FOT with some fake name. He has a personal bias to Tubby and cannot be fair. I have never heard anyone praise Saul as a good coach. That is crap. Where are the job offers? How long is going to be a yes man to his father? The fact is that he is weak and has no job offers. People in the industry know this or they would be after him.

bga is a solid poster and not a Tubby apologist, but he is wrong if he thinks we are boxed into giving Tubby an extension. We aren't.

 

[GoodasGold]

Is it conceivable that FOT has an Evil Twin?

 

[bga1]

Agree with most here. But I will say I think he needs to come up with some kind of rotation. Right now he's all over the place with his minutes and substitutions.

Him putting in Ingram and Maverick were mind-boggling. It's almost like he's become so nice that he feels he has to let everyone play. He pulled Ingram after less than a minute which was good, but that means he never really had to play him in the first place. And who knows what he was thinking at the end with Maverick.

IMO - a big, big error was not handing the ball to Andre Hollins right out of the shoot and let him make mistakes, learn and grow. If he had done that Hollins would be playing like a Sophomore right now and we would know what we have for the future. If he had not performed by now, then they would know that they need to recruit another point guard. Now we know nothing. The idea that Maverick was going to be the answer earlier in the season was just plain nuts- even though Maverick was playing better than Andre. That's the only reason to line up all those set up non-conference games, so that your younger players can learn and play with confidence. Because of this screw up we have essentially replayed last season again- without a competent point guard. A good confident point guard could make even this offense look a lot better.

 

[Monty519]

IMO - a big, big error was not handing the ball to Andre Hollins right out of the shoot and let him make mistakes, learn and grow. If he had done that Hollins would be playing like a Sophomore right now and we would know what we have for the future. If he had not performed by now, then they would know that they need to recruit another point guard. Now we know nothing. The idea that Maverick was going to be the answer earlier in the season was just plain nuts- even though Maverick was playing better than Andre. That's the only reason to line up all those set up non-conference games, so that your younger players can learn and play with confidence. Because of this screw up we have essentially replayed last season again- without a competent point guard. A good confident point guard could make even this offense look a lot better.

We can't forget that Andre Hollins picked up that ankle injury and clearly wasn't the same player for a while (quickness and explosiveness). He was starting until that injury in the USC game. He was giving him time to learn from his mistakes. But when you're hobbled, it's hard to hand a guy a bunch of minutes, especially when he was clearly not able to do the things he wanted/needed to do out there. Once he got back to 100%, we were starting to win games again, so he kept him coming off the bench.

I think this was an "undercover" big injury. For those who are anti-Mav, he's probably not on the floor to close out those early B1G games with a healthy Dre Hollins. Who knows how that changes anything, but I'm guessing it was a factor.

 

[scher215]

Dre has looked MUCH better as of late. It is very promising.

IMO, Tubby needs to get that shorter rotation and just let Mav and Ingram enjoy some relaxation time.

Give heavy minutes (30+) to Dre, Rodney, Welch, and Austin. Play the rest depending on the opponent and how effective they are. I think that's how you play for the future and still go for a birth this year.

 

[BarnBurner]

Agreed.

Btw, whathavewedone, minggg, and BarnBurner. Please take notes on this thread. This whole thread and original post from BGA1 is how you criticize tubby or anyone without sounding like an angry tool.

Donna, you dont like reality.

And I am so sorry for sounding so bad and that hurt your feelings.

 

[jovs]

I don't agree with this, because we still have a chance at making the tournament. Lunardi still only has us as the second team out. [/B]

Lets look at reality, they play three of the top five teams in the big ten in there four remaining games. Going 2-2 is probably going to be a positive and successfull ending to the year.

They are going to have a tough matchup in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa, Northwestern, or Illinois are not a sure fire wins.

Getting in the NIT and winning two or three games would be a huge positive for this team. That would be the best case scenario for me.

Firing Tubby would be a huge mistake at this point. I think next year is the make or break year, I don't expect to challange for the Big Ten title but I expect to be solidly in the NCAA mix with a 7 or 8 seed.