U of MN press release - Tubby Smith Relieved of Coaching Duties at Minnesota

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Tubby Smith Relieved of Coaching Duties at Minnesota
University of Minnesota Director of Athletics Norwood Teague announced today that head basketball coach Tubby Smith has been relieved of his coaching duties, effective immediately. A national search for the 17th men’s head basketball coach in the history of the Golden Gopher program is ongoing.



“Tubby has had a long and distinguished career and we feel it’s time for a fresh set of eyes for our student-athletes and our program in general,” Teague said. “We are grateful to Tubby and his entire staff for their hard work and dedication to this University, our students and the entire Minnesota community. We wish Tubby, Donna and the entire staff well.”

Smith compiled a record of 124-81 (.610) in his six seasons at the helm in Gold Country and led the program to five postseason berths. The Gophers’ postseason accomplishments under Smith include a run to the finals of the 2012 NIT at Madison Square Garden and most recently, a win over UCLA in the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

“I want to thank the University of Minnesota and the people of Minnesota for giving me the opportunity to lead the Golden Gopher basketball program for six years,” said Smith. “Our staff did things the right way and will leave knowing that the program is in far better shape than when we arrived. The people of the State of Minnesota embraced Donna and me from the beginning and we will always be grateful.”
 

No question that Tubby resurrected this program when it was stuck in a deep, dark place and made it relevant again. Like Teague said, it's just time for a change, but I definitely don't hate Tubby for making Gopher basketball watchable again.
 

Thank you Tubby and Donna, you have class, always did, always will.
 

Smith's teams had their moments, and he runs a clean program. Whoever we end up hiring, Smith's honor and integrity needs to be the standard for them to emulate.
 



Love to hear all the people put down their pitchforks for say nice things about Tubby on his way out. MN nice, right??
 

Love it when the individuals involved just handle these situations with class. I thank Tubby for numerous great moments, despite the disappointments around it. The Blake Hoffarber shot against IU, beating Louisville, winning Puerto Rico, the numerous top 25 wins, beating #1 IU and creating a court storming moment. Lots of good stuff from the last six years...just couldn't quite get out of our own way at times. It's too bad.
 

Scoreboard said:
Thank you Tubby and Donna, you have class, always did, always will.
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Seconded. There is a sick feeling here. I just wish they could have come up with some easier way to do this. Mark me not convinced that a coaching change is the answer to what ails the U of M sports program.
 

mnsports1 said:
Love to hear all the people put down their pitchforks for say nice things about Tubby on his way out. MN nice, right??
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You haven't been reading the thread on former player responses.
 



Tubby brought this program forward no doubt, it's in a better place now than when he got it.

Coach Smith is owed thanks for that.

In the end he wasn't the right guy to keep it going.
 

It was time for change but tubby was a very classy man so thanks for your time tubby good luck on your next job. He will not have a very tough time taking a new job. Some new school will be very excited to have you.
 

mnsports1 said:
Love to hear all the people put down their pitchforks for say nice things about Tubby on his way out. MN nice, right??
Click to expand...

Just because people wanted a change doesn't necessarily mean they had pitchforks. Very few people, if anybody, hates Tubby. I sure don't. I also thank him for resurrecting the program. I also think it is appropriate to part ways.
 

I agree. Smith brought this program out of the gutter. It was nothing when he came here and he made us a bubble team or better almost every year.

Norwood is striving for great things and I hope he finds it. This is a huge turning point for our program. Do we regress or do we take the next step forward?
 



I'd handle things with class too if I got that kind of buyout.
 

Norwood job should also be on the line for firing Tubby after 2 solid seasons, he better come up with stud, or else gve him boot just like he gave Tubby the boot
 

THE SCOUT! said:
Norwood job should also be on the line for firing Tubby after 2 solid seasons, he better come up with stud or give Norwood the boot just like he gave Tubby the boot
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NIT Tournament is not a solid season.
 

Really number 2 in Nit with Best player and another starter out! Man you are one nut job. Plus a jerk for equating NIT bid with 2nd place finish. THE SCOUT!
 

Thanks Tubby. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
 

Monty519 said:
Love it when the individuals involved just handle these situations with class. I thank Tubby for numerous great moments, despite the disappointments around it. The Blake Hoffarber shot against IU, beating Louisville, winning Puerto Rico, the numerous top 25 wins, beating #1 IU and creating a court storming moment. Lots of good stuff from the last six years...just couldn't quite get out of our own way at times. It's too bad.
Click to expand...

and it always seemed like we could beat the skunks anytime. Yeah, Thanks Tubby, there are good memories too.. best of luck!
 

THE SCOUT! said:
Really number 2 in Nit with Best player and another starter out! Man you are one nut job. Plus a jerk for equating NIT bid with 2nd place finish. THE SCOUT!
Click to expand...

I will forward your thoughts to Norwood. I'm sure his reaction will be to hang an NIT runner up banner in Williams.
 


This has really got to hurt Pilgrim Dry Cleaners...
 


Agree with most of what was said here and want to thank Tubby and his staff for improving the Gopher program and the contributions they made but in the end it was just time for a change. I would wish the whole staff nothing but luck in whatever their next opportunities may be.
 

“Tubby has had a long and distinguished career and we feel it’s time for a fresh set of eyes for our student-athletes and our program in general,”

I think that word sums up my feelings best. Tubby far too often looked disinterested, disengaged, but mostly just tired. I, for one, am happy to see a change forthcoming and look forward to a breath of fresh air being brought to Williams Arena next year. Good luck, Tubby...
 



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