Tubby Smith may be headed back to SEC — to Auburn (UPDATE II: Tubby denies rumors)
Tubby Smith has Minnesota pointed up, and this might be a good time for him to leave.
When Tubby Smith left Georgia after only two seasons in 1997, it was for his expected dream job at Kentucky. If he leaves Minnesota after only three, it’s probably to defrost. And possibly to come back to the South.
Smith, who has the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the NCAA tournament for the second straight season, reportedly is close to becoming the next coach at Auburn, according to CBSSports.com college writer Dennis Dodd.
The report — which follows days of media speculation that Smith could be headed to either Auburn or Oregon — makes a lot of sense. Auburn fired Jeff Lebo immediately following the SEC tournament, and wants to make a splash with this hire. The Tigers are moving into a new $90 million facility next season. They want to hire a proven coach, even if it means paying a significantly higher salary than they’ve paid for a basketball coach in the past.
Welcome to the new SEC, where basketball suddenly matters.
Smith’s return would be a great boost for the SEC. He would give Auburn immediate credibility and obviously create great story lines every time the Tigers play Georgia and Kentucky. For those who’ve never met Smith, he’s one of the nicest, classiest men you’re going to find, a welcome departure in a profession that is overrun with shady characters and self-promoters.
The guy can coach, too. Minnesota went 9-22 in 2006-07, the season before Smith got there. In the three years since, the Gophers have gone 20-13, 20-11 and 21-13 (going into today’s tournament game against Xavier).
(UPDATE: Minnesota just lost to Xavier, 65-54, in the first round of the West Regional. So we should know something fairly soon about Smith’s future.)
(UPDATE II: Smith issued this denial after the game: “Obviously, that’s just talk. I’m very pleased with what we’ve accomplished [at Minnesota]. I’m pleased with where we are in the program. I’m looking forward to coming back to Minnesota.”)
They reached the final of the Big Ten tournament championship game before losing to Ohio State (after upsetting the Buckeyes earlier this season). He has recorded 17 straight 20-plus win seasons in his career, going to the NCAA tournament in 16 of those (nine times to at least the Sweet 16, one championship).
Smith probably knows this is as good as it’s going to get at Minnesota, and it would be a good time to exit. Unless he just really enjoys living in Minneapolis. On that note, tonight’s March 19 forecast: 25 degrees with possible flurries.
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165 comments Add your comment
tub o lard
March 19th, 2010
1:16 pm
first! the tub gets around
ASHEVILLE DAWG
March 19th, 2010
1:25 pm
Tubby was a class act atUGA, Wished he had stayed ,but we finally got a nother class act in Mark Fox. Good luck to Tubby Skith wherever you are or go. Just not against the Dawgs.
JB
March 19th, 2010
1:25 pm
Hum……I sure bet Tech wish he was heading there way…….The ACC is big time basketball pedigree conference
and Tech, although in the dance, would loved to be thought of as a Basketball power. Tubby heading back to the SEC doesn’t surprise me…..and with Fox in the house, I’m fine with it.
ASHEVILLE DAWG
March 19th, 2010
1:27 pm
Tubby Smith, I need to fire that proof reader!
wesleywhatwhat
March 19th, 2010
1:37 pm
i agree wth JB, the ACC is lacking in quality coaches and will be continue to have “down years” until that changes.
All I'm Saying...
March 19th, 2010
1:38 pm
That would be a smart move by Auburn to hire Tubby and his propensity to win 20+ games while losing 10 or so would go over fine with the Auburn faithful as it did with UGA. Plus he’s a class act, great person to entrust your son to, and sorely missed given some of the characters we have had in the SEC among basketball coaches (i.e. see Harrick, Jim; Gillespie [sp.], Billy, etc.)
(As we know, Tubby couldn’t hack it in the bluegrass state because Kentucky demanded 25+ wins and less than 10 losses each year along with SEC Championships every other year, Final Four appearances every two to three years, and a NCAA Championship at least twice a decade. No pressure, right? Although have to give props to “Teflon” John Calipari who is on track to deliver all of the above in year one–just hope probation doesn’t follow as has been his history not that anything ever stuck to him).
JB
March 19th, 2010
1:47 pm
yes, Tubby would “fill up” that new facility most game nights, give them 20 wins…some big dance appearances and they would love him…………..the only down side, he appears to bore rather quickly and 3….4 years max is about all they could expect……I think he and Saban use the same realtor.
Boise Dawg
March 19th, 2010
1:54 pm
I understood why he left Georgia for Kentucky… but leaving Minnesota for Auburn makes no sense to me at all. Assuming he hates cold weather so much… why did he take the Minnesota job only to leave after 3 years? He could have waited a year to find the right fit… I don’t like to see guys move around a lot, it is tough on the schools and the players. We blast Kiffin, but Tubby is a class act.
He is a good coach and a good recruiter.. but I don’t think he is a great coach or a great recruiter. He can take Auburn to the tournament most years.. but I’ll be very suprised if he could ever take Auburn beyond the sweet 16… which is probably the same situation at Minnesota.
Oregon(Nike) has invested big time money into upgrading their facilities and with Phil Knight around they will pay big time money for a proven coach… but does he want to live in Oregon?
Tim
March 19th, 2010
1:55 pm
JB,
Funny I don’t think Bama is worried about Saban or Kirby leaving anytime soon. However I could see some additional moving trucks headed towards UGA in the near future. Typically when the HC is forced to fire assistants the end is near…
Roll Tide
Rajesh Koothrappali
March 19th, 2010
1:58 pm
Tubby would not be welome at Georgia Tech due to his background, anyway Coach Hewitt is not going anywhere due to his very large contract but you will hear the end of the complaints after he and Favors lead the Yellow Jackets to this years championship game.
FUZZUP
March 19th, 2010
2:02 pm
Who cares????
JB
March 19th, 2010
2:05 pm
One big Difference Tim…..ours will be fired. Yours won’t be. look, I hope he stays. It’s good for the SEC. We have beat ya’ll 3 of the last 4 meetings, one with Saban. I know the last couple of years have been special, but don’t underestimate what kind of team Georgia could put in front of you to play. As the last two years have been good for you, we’ve had problems. Georgia, as a state, is always loaded with players. We will get our share. You guys had a tough few years with Shula, we’ve had our problems. Hopefully, we’ve really upgraded the defensive side of the ball. Hope to see ya’ll in the Dome this year.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
March 19th, 2010
2:08 pm
what are the chances of Fox pulling a Tubby , a couple of good years and then poof gone on to bigger and easier schools to recruit players too ?
wiley
March 19th, 2010
2:09 pm
What makes you think this is as far as he can get at Minnesota? Minnesota is in a power 6 conference and Tubby has already proved he can recruit there. The Big Ten is a traditional basketball conference with the likes of Indiana, Ilinois, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin and is far superior to the SEC in terms of basketball. I don’t understand why he would want to come to an Auburn program that has only 8 total NCAA tourney appearances. Its not even a lateral move in my opinion because your coming to play basketball in a weaker conference at a school where basketball has no value in comparison to the football team. Their basketball arena has wooden seats for god sakes…at least they finally decided to build a new arena.
Cherokee
March 19th, 2010
2:10 pm
Tim, are you sure CMR was pressured to fire, if so what is your source? Give the man credit he knew the job wasn’t getting done on the defensive side of the ball. That is why he made the changes. Damon said he had faith that CMR would do what needed to be done for the program. You need to worry about Bama.
Cherokee
March 19th, 2010
2:12 pm
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN… I think I remember reading somewhere Fox’s contract is pretty hard for him to get out of.
cats 4 evah
March 19th, 2010
2:13 pm
go go tubby
JB
March 19th, 2010
2:13 pm
South Ga Dawg Fan: That’s 90% of coach’s in Div 1 under contract. There is little loyalty with coach’s or schools these days.. Trust me, if Fox turns Georgia around in 2 -3 years, basketball “schools” will come sniffing. If got offered by a ACC school with a pedigree in hoops at say 2.5 mil per for 5 years, He’ll call Tubb’s and Saban’s moving company.
MN Gal
March 19th, 2010
2:16 pm
Could you talk about something other than the weather in MN? Yeah, it’s cold up here. But we like it. It keeps the riff-raff out.
charlieho
March 19th, 2010
2:16 pm
Tubby would be making a huge mistake leaving MN, at least from a coaching perspective. The state produces some great big men, who have left for greener pastures until now. With Tubby keeping them in state, he has a chance to have an elite program in an elite league. Outside of KY, the Big Ten has more national prestige than the SEC, regardless of how those of us in the area like to think….
Get Real
March 19th, 2010
2:17 pm
“For those who’ve never met Smith, he’s one of the nicest, classiest men you’re going to find, a welcome departure in a profession that is overrun with shady characters and self-promoters.”
Are you serious?? This guy made all kinds of promises to UGA about getting the program on a role, putting UGA on the basketball map, yadda, yadda, recommends Ron Jirsa for the job (true, Dooley did not HAVE to hire Jirsa), then bolts for UK. Okay, I realize UK basketball is far superior to UGA’s program. I get that. But why make bold statements about making UGA his home then running out to greener, easier pastures?? He is EXACTLY like every other greedy college coach. I would prefer the coach who goes to a particular school and desires to put THAT school on the basketball map.
JA
March 19th, 2010
2:17 pm
Like he’s going to win any more at Auburn — their program has always been mediocre. An interesting article and report. If it’s true then best of luck in a sub-par basketball conference.
Jeff Schultz
March 19th, 2010
2:19 pm
Boise Dawg — Don’t knock Oregon. Eugene is one of the greatest college towns around, and Tubby can be successful there pretty quickly.
JB
March 19th, 2010
2:20 pm
Cherokee, it hard for Bama fans to keep quiet now that they are back on top…..When Shula was there, they would shuffle their feet and stare at the ground when taking football with you.
I know they will say something to me for this, but as A SEC FAN, I’m proud of them for winning it all last year, but dang, they need a little class about it………………..I know, you don’t know how we would act because we ain’t been there ( since 1980)…..just thought I’d beat ya to it. I do hate that they think Saban will finish his career there. he might, and good for them, but history ain’t on their side. I don’t know how old he is, but it’s all about him and he would love nothing more to win a title at his third school.
oldfart
March 19th, 2010
2:22 pm
Whichever dawg is posting as Rajesh whatever…. Fugitaboutit.
Tubby would be welcome considering the alternative. There is the small matter of 7 mil to deal with however.
XAIPE
March 19th, 2010
2:22 pm
As good as it gets at Minnesota…wtf? And Auburn???
Jeff Schultz
March 19th, 2010
2:22 pm
Cherokee – I believe Fox’s contract has a $2 million buyout.
Kurt Morris
March 19th, 2010
2:22 pm
CMR is soft and does not have the ability to win big time year after year. he has won on talent alone in spite of himself and his questionable staff. UGA is not and has not been a BIG time football program for a long, long time. way over-rated in the media. they can compete in SEC but never become dominate.
Mike B
March 19th, 2010
2:23 pm
I really don’t think the weather would have a bearing on his decision to leave Minnesota. Minnesota is a
beautiful state and I am glad I live here. Tubby is a great coach. He was able to get his Minnesota team back to the big dance even though 2 of his recruits are not even able to play (legal reasons) and
another was declared academically ineligible. If he wants to leave he will leave, but I highly doubt the weather will play a factor in his decision.
Jeff Schultz
March 19th, 2010
2:24 pm
MN Gal — That’s true. Riff-raff freeze easily … Seriously, I like Minnesota. Great people, good sports town (Minneapolis-St. Paul). But when you don’t live there, it’s hard for the rest of us to get past the weather.
ChippersLoveChild
March 19th, 2010
2:24 pm
Yep, agree with Wiley. Why move to a weaker conference when he has proven he can begin to win at Minnesotta? Recruiting isn’t an issue, he got Sampson III out of this state… he can win there against better competition. Why leave?
Reid
March 19th, 2010
2:26 pm
Is it really that hard to believe that a person could enjoy living in Minneapolis? Its a great city filled with great people!
JPBinMN
March 19th, 2010
2:28 pm
Tubby to Auburn…no chance. He’s got two players coming back next year after suspension that all but lock up the Big 10 and go to the Final Four. Not to mention global warming is heading this way!!! (LOL)
JB
March 19th, 2010
2:30 pm
Kurt…….if all the SEC and ACC coach’s were all of sudden on the Market to be hired, Richt would be the THIRD guy hired out of 24. My opinion of course, but not off by much. He’s had a tough couple of years DUE TO A TOTAL BREAKDOWN ON THE defensive side of the ball, but I believe he has helped himself. Saban himself tried to hire Grantham at Miami as DC. You’ll see a different approach to Defense come this fall at Georgia.
Kurt Morris
March 19th, 2010
2:30 pm
minnesota is definately a better bb gig than auburn would ever be. gophers can compete as 2nd tier big ten team year after year. auburn is a terrible bb school. maybe he moves but i don’t see why. minnesota is a wonderful place. used to live in duluth – it’s really nice. just cold.
Ben
March 19th, 2010
2:32 pm
As a Gophers fan and Minnesota resident, I have a couple of issues with this article.
First off, what makes you think that “this is as good as it’s going to get” at Minnesota? The Gophers are still a relatively young team. There’s no reason to think they can’t compete for a Big Ten title next year. With Tubby, they’re instantly credible on a national recruiting level.
And as for living in Minneapolis, you need to get out of your bubble. In Minnesota, Tubby gets the kind of respect and privacy from fans, media, and the community that he didn’t at Kentucky. And the weather? We like it. The severity of Minnesota winters is overblown by many people, yourself included. Come on up, we’ll take you out ice fishing. You’ll have a blast.
ND4MN
March 19th, 2010
2:32 pm
Auburn a step up? Doubt it. I will say that Tubby is overrated and I have little respect for guys who are negotiating with other teams while the one they are coaching are involved in an NCAA run. I know it happens all the time, but its not the way we do things in the upper midwest. So maybe he isn’t a good match for the U of M.
Kurt Morris
March 19th, 2010
2:33 pm
JB…..great coaches in 2 conferences are like tight ends in nfl. either you have top two or you have mediocrity. CMR is not even in top 2 in his own conference. maybe not in own division. i mean spurrier does have a national title on his resume.
EBO
March 19th, 2010
2:38 pm
We will miss Tubby if he leaves, he has been a great asset to the Gophers basketball team. I have to agree that the writer of this article surely could find something more interesting to write about than the weather in Mn, that line is getting old.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 19th, 2010
2:40 pm
A 90 million dollar basketball facility? Really? This now raises the value of Auburn’s campus to approximately 5 million dollars.
JB
March 19th, 2010
2:40 pm
Spurrier needs to be playing golf everyday…..Richt has owned him since he’s been there. Wrong time and school for Spurrier. Carolina has gone into complete meltdowns over there under him the last 2-3 years. You must be a Ga. hater….and that’s fine, but if you look at his body of work since he’s been at Georgia and use the term Mediocrity, we are a long way off from having a meaningful discussion. Florida has owned him, but no many other folks can say that.
Mark Bowling
March 19th, 2010
2:41 pm
What exactly makes Tub a class act? And even if we pretend he is, does that qualify you to draw millions of dollars annually as a mediocre coach? After riding the championship team that Pitino left him at UK, Tub systematically destroyed the UK ball program to the point where they were going entire seasons without beating even a single ranked team. Tub got his ONLY Final Four appearance…ever…with the team that Pitino left him for his maiden year at UK. Can you spell OVERrated?
JB
March 19th, 2010
2:45 pm
Hewitt would look good in Auburn…. I bet the Tech folks would Rent the U Haul and load it ….AND unload it….LOL
JB
March 19th, 2010
2:48 pm
25 and snowing in Minn tonight….Auburn 75 and sunny today……plus, I bet Tubbs can’t get a decent Rib in the whole state. Met him at the Masters one year…Had on my Georgia Shirt and he came over to me to talk…..He is a decent guy.
Jansen B. Werner
March 19th, 2010
2:50 pm
Not necessarily “as good as it gets at Minnesota.” The Gophers should have much of this year’s roster back for next season; not to mention Mbakwe should actually get a chance to suit up, Royce White very well could play, and there’s always the potential of having (2) Joseph’s next season… My guess is, after this tumultuous and controversial season Tubby is looking for a getaway from all the extra-curricular nonsense. It doesn’t have that much to do with talent, if it did, why would we go to an SEC “cellar-dweller” like Auburn?
Cmill
March 19th, 2010
2:50 pm
I love Tubby… a class act and I was hoping UGA would hire him last year, but Fox is another great coach. I just hope we don’t have to go up against him every year!
Kurt Morris
March 19th, 2010
2:51 pm
but the problem is that florida is who he has to beat. oh, and tennessee wouldn’t hurt either, especially when you have so much more talent than them. i am in fact not a uga hater. i love the dawgs but vince dooley and larry munson were a long time ago.
The END IS NEAR for Sabin and THE TIDE
March 19th, 2010
2:59 pm
To the writer that suggested moving trucks soon at a certain campus ……… you sir, are correct.
Here is where and why they are gonna be pulling up at A-L-A-B-A-M-A. Nick is the kind of guy that likes to BUILD a prgoram in his image. He as done that now with Alabama. He did that with LSU. The TIDE has been dead for about 15-18 years ……..since the old guy that played for TX A&M and coached there too. Gene Stallings was his name?
Sabin will BOLT to MI after he wins the SEC and/or the NC again this year. He is not the kind of down home guy to sit back on his front porch and rock and talk to the local red necks. He will move on so …………..the MOVING TRUCK ARE GOING TO Tuscaloosa and soon. Besides, Nick’s wife despises B’ham & Tuscalooosa, I have heard.
Nick is leaving regardless. Y’all got what you wanted a NC or two. Congrats but it is over soon. Auburn will start to kick dirt in your face, along with LSU anyway.
Enjoy your last great season for about 15-20 years.
Jeff Schultz
March 19th, 2010
3:00 pm
For those Minnesotans offended that Tubby might leave for another job, look at it this way: The vast majority of his coaching career (as a head coach and assistant) has been spent in the South and he grew up in Maryland. It’s where he and his family are most comfortable.
moratt
March 19th, 2010
3:02 pm
The “best it is going to get” in Minnesota will be far better than what it would be in Auburn. There is just no draw at Auburn, where the football team gets all the hype and attention. In, Minneapolis, where the football program is a joke, Tubby can sit back and bask in the waves of athletic support. The Barn is one of the best arenas in the nation as well, so a new facility isn’t really all that apealing. As far as the weather is concerned, it’s called a wearing a coat.
moratt
March 19th, 2010
3:03 pm
Jeff, did you take geography? Maryland is located in the Northeast, not the South.
Boise Dawg
March 19th, 2010
3:04 pm
Definitely not knocking Oregon.. personally I would much rather live in Eugene, OR than Auburn, AL. Just wasn’t sure if it is Tubby’s kind of place. He has zero ties to the west that I know of….so that is all I was saying.
Jansen B. Werner
March 19th, 2010
3:06 pm
As a Minnesota fan, in no way am I offended by the idea of Tubby moving – he can go wherever he wants to go. I’m more so annoyed by the idea that this year was “as good as it gets” for the Gophers. Were the Gophers not thrown multiple curveballs by the legal system, Mbakwe and Royce White likely would have played this season. Throw that lineup out there and you have a Sweet 16 Team every day of the week. And as I said earlier, add a kid like Cory Joseph (why wouldn’t he want to play with his brother?) on that roster, and now you have a very elite college squad. Sampson and Iverson are only going to get better, Rodney Williams is as good of an athlete as there is in college basketball, how in the world is this “as good as it gets”???
Minnesota Jacket
March 19th, 2010
3:07 pm
enough about the weather (though it was warmer here in MSP the past 2 days that Atlanta – yes i know that will change today!)
i see St John’s has fired their coach. I’m hoping for a Hewitt to St John’s and Tubby to GT world!
clcooley0
March 19th, 2010
3:08 pm
You can have him. Especially if you believe this is as good as he’ll have things with the Gophers (read J. B. Werner’s post above for reasons to think the notion that there is no where to go but down is asinine). His good friend, Clem, was able to do a lot more here in MN. He’s a mediocre coach at best. Will happily take an up and coming mid-major coach.
Kurt Morris
March 19th, 2010
3:08 pm
auburn has nothing to offer a bb coach. no reason in the world to go to auburn. and southern hospitality is WAY over rated. i’ve been to auburn. didn’t see much that impressed me. lots of red necks though.
HeHateMe
March 19th, 2010
3:09 pm
It was in the 60s and sunny all week in Minneapolis until today, thanks for the weather report jackass
gdawginkalamazoo
March 19th, 2010
3:10 pm
Jeff’s from LA. He doesn’t know the east coast. He just gets online orders his plane ticket and goes to the airport. Gets off the plane and he is there. Where ever that is. So he doesn’t need to know geography, he just needs to know how to tell the cabby “airport please”, “arena please” or “hotel please”. So simple a caveman could do it.
B10
March 19th, 2010
3:10 pm
Move to Alabama for the weather? Are you kidding? It was 62 degrees in MN yesterday. I highly doubt a major NCAA coach would relocate for the extensive culture offered in Auburn vs. a major metropolitan city. Jeff Schultz should venture outside of Georgia to see what it is like outside of the sunbelt. Life is good in Minnesota, even in January. You are a douche bag media slug.
Kurt Morris
March 19th, 2010
3:13 pm
b10……..i agree with you. i’m from georgia, now living in texas. been to minnesota many times. best friend lives in duluth. when i was in north dakota in military, the people there and in minnesota are the nicest i’ve ever met. auburn offers nothing.
wiley
March 19th, 2010
3:19 pm
Morat according to the US census Maryland is considered a southern state…as is Delaware.
http://manetta.us/Buckmasters/CensusMap.jpg
Bob Horner stayed hurt
March 19th, 2010
3:21 pm
Ouch….my x-wife calls me a slug when she’s mad at me….it hurts my feelings….
bali
March 19th, 2010
3:22 pm
thanks for the article on coach smith. He seems like such an outstanding gentleman who is a credit to the game of basketball. The 2 years he was in Athens were great for U GA basketball. Just wish he would of stayed instead of taking that sorry excuse for a basketball job at Kentucky.Could not really blame him for leaving Athens.. just wonder what it would have been like if he had stayed longer
clcooley0
March 19th, 2010
3:26 pm
Here’s a story from yesterday’s Startribune (the Minneapolis newspaper) where Tubby states that Vince Taylor, one of his assistant coaches, is ready for a head coaching position: http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/88498357.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUjc8LDyiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr
Thanks for memories, Tubby.
moratt
March 19th, 2010
3:29 pm
I already filled out my census form, thanks. The point is that Tubby being from from Maryland has no impact on his decision to go to Auburn. Its over 800 miles from Maryland to Alabama. Not exactly a short drive go to see the family on the weekends.
JB
March 19th, 2010
3:32 pm
Funny how the word ” redneck’ can be thrown around without much consequence and there are other words used to describe people in a negative light that you could use on here that would get you banned by the AJC. Wonder why the double standard ? Talking to you Kurt.
if you are referring to people of the South, remember one thing. American by birth and southern by the grace of God.
Tubby to Auburn? - VolNation
March 19th, 2010
3:33 pm
[...] Tubby to Auburn? Sounds like it's close to happening: Tubby Smith may be headed back to SEC — to Auburn | Jeff Schultz [...]
Kurt Morris
March 19th, 2010
3:39 pm
i am from the south and the only good thing about the south is the south herself. the people are nasty.
minnesotadawg
March 19th, 2010
3:43 pm
We sure would like to keep him for a while. I think he has a better chance up here than in the SEC. He would probably have better recruiting at Auburn though.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 19th, 2010
3:45 pm
Just like the reason for his move from UGA to Kentucky I think he will move from Minn. to Auburn to be closer to Ashley Judd. He would get to see her a 2-3 times a year in the SEC. As it stands now he has to make it to the dance, hope for the same regional or make it to the final four.
Dawg Fan
March 19th, 2010
3:50 pm
Hey Tim,
Get ready for a down year in football. Alabama finally has a tough schedule and will have Saban undressing Kirby on the sidelines. Go ahead and enjoy the Tide’s recent success for a few more months and get ready for several losses this season over in Bama. I know you would love for CMR to pack up and move but he aint goin nowhere chief.
Tubby head
March 19th, 2010
3:50 pm
Sorry Auburn, Tubby: “I’m very pleased with what we’ve accomplished here. I’m very pleased with where we are in the program. I’m looking forward to coming back to Minnesota.” This was after the loss today.
Really? Would anyone on earth leave a traditionally strong basketball school, great fans, great arena, GREAT recruiting, cold winters, great pay, great squad, great metro area.
Tubby always talks about how his family is really enjoying Minnesota. He has a squad that is on the verge now. He doesn’t want to walk away from what he’s built. He won with Pitino’s squad. Now he wants to win one with his own.
Dawg Fan
March 19th, 2010
3:51 pm
Well said JB
Dawg Fan
March 19th, 2010
3:52 pm
Kurt, if you don’t like the south then why don’t you just leave. I’m positive you won’t be missed. Addition by subtraction.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 19th, 2010
3:52 pm
I would have to agree with the Minneapolis posters. Minneapolis is a lot nicer than Auburn. Tubby doesn’t need the money and he is gaining ground in the Big Ten.
PMC
March 19th, 2010
3:52 pm
I bet he will be able to clean up in Atlanta. Good luck to Tubby.
Remarkable
March 19th, 2010
4:01 pm
Auburn can have Tubby until he thinks something better has come along. Then he will leave for the greener pastures. Just call me a bitter UGA fan.
DD
March 19th, 2010
4:01 pm
Tell it JB.
Being from the West coast. I have had a chance to witness southern hospitality. Very alive and well in the South. You don’t hear yes maam, yes sir up north or out west.
Still, MN would be better for Tubby than Auburn. SEC plays good basketball, but overall not great. Similar to the ACC in football. Middle of the pack.
Kurt Morris
March 19th, 2010
4:01 pm
i left the “south” a long time ago. it would be great if it weren’t for the people.
Boise Dawg
March 19th, 2010
4:02 pm
Jeff, I don’t know the guy but I agree he seems to be a nice and classy guy… but if the report about him already close to a deal with Auburn is true, do you still find him to be one of the classiest men you will find? How classy is it to spend time talking to another program when your current team is/was still playing? If the CBS report is true and he takes the Auburn job in the next few days, then I say no classier than Saban, Petrino or Kiffin.
Todd
March 19th, 2010
4:03 pm
Kurt Morris: wahhhhhh, sniff, sniff. Sounds like someone got their butt kicked down here. Don’t go away mad, just go away!
jeff schultz is a HACK
March 19th, 2010
4:09 pm
jeff schultz – this is the biggest p.o.s. article i have read today. 1.) minnesota is a superior program to georgia and it is a superior program to auburn. so come down from your little tower where you are taking cheap shots at minnesota. 2.) it is going to be in the 50 or 60’s in minneapolis all next week. it has been in the 50’s and 60’s in minneapolis multiple times during the past few weeks. 3.) it hasn’t been much warmer than that in your little city of atlanta. so enough with your lame cheap shots fool. 3.) know what you are talking about before making such a stupid blog post next time.
kurt
March 19th, 2010
4:14 pm
todd….i see u have a nice southern education. good for u! it will serve u well in redneckville. and by the way, i just about bet u could never make me go away or do anthing else for that matter. i just don’t like places where they put people in prison for spitting on the sidewalk too many times.
marcus
March 19th, 2010
4:14 pm
if tech had tubby, with the talent that they’ve bought in over the years, then they would really matter. not only in the acc but nationally. if tech was as smart as they “think” they are, then they’d give their bum coach a demotion to “recruiting coordinator”…. and hire a real coach. with a proven, classy coach like smith to go along with coach johnson then tech would be exceptional.
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:15 pm
jeff schultz is a HACK :
Dude, take a chill pill. It’s close to 80 degrees down here, but you don’t hear me bragging about it. You let JS get under your skin which is his job to get you to post. Hook, line and sinker. It will be alright. Auburn & UGA are not as good as MN in B-Ball. I don’t think anyone is argueing on that one. This is Collge football territory anyway. MN would not be on the same planet as any team in the SEC so call it even.
kurt
March 19th, 2010
4:16 pm
but the original point was that CMR is soft and will never win big in the SEC
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:16 pm
Sorry, spelled “College”
Go Jackets
March 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
I like Tubby, but he could never coach at Georgia Tech. He is tainted by the plague that is the University [sic] of Georgia. If you believe what you hear, this affliction (thankfully) kept Will Muschamp from getting the head football coach job. If you’ve ever worn the red and black, stay the heck of the Flats.
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
kurt: I guess 2 SEC championships and 2 BCS bowl victory’s are not big games. Get a clue!
Will Tubby Soon Be Back in the SEC? « MrSEC.com
March 19th, 2010
4:20 pm
[...] Will Tubby Soon Be Back in the SEC? [...]
Jeff Schultz
March 19th, 2010
4:22 pm
Boise Dawg — point taken.
jeff schultz is a HACK
March 19th, 2010
4:24 pm
dave in tampa: don’t need to take a chill pill. just need to educate some southern fools who obviously don’t know jack about the midwest and/or minneapolis. a random 70 degree day in atlanta! so what? you live in the deep south. that is like saying the sky is blue and grass is green. why would you brag about it?
all i/we are saying is that minneapolis is not this dark, cold, horrible place that hack writers without a clue (see jeff schultz) stupidly and falsely try and make it out to be to the southern rubes who read his filth. it is a bustling, cosmopolitan city with a ton to offer just about anyone.
tubby smith has said numerous times that he and his family sincerely love the city of minneapolis and have no desire to leave.
p.s. minnesota could definitely beat some of your SEC football squads (not saying florida or lsu at this point in time), but they could certainly beat at least half of your conference. no doubt about it.
kurt
March 19th, 2010
4:24 pm
dave in tampa…..u just made my point. an occasional sec championship is above average. but beating hawaii in sugar bowl doesn’t define GREATNESS. there is a difference between above average and great. UGA football is above average but not great.
TY
March 19th, 2010
4:25 pm
kurt: So why are you on this blog then if you hate the south and it’s people so much? Talk about education. Go back over some of your posts Mr. “I’m not smarter than a 5th Grader”
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:27 pm
I said nothing about GREATNESS! You stretch it out there pretty good about what is being discussed. You said he “NEVER” wins the big games. I just pointed out 4. There are many others. Stick to the subject at hand!
kurt
March 19th, 2010
4:29 pm
jeff schultz is a hack…..u might be going out of your mind. no way gophers could beat half of sec on a regular basis. they can’t compete in inferior big ten. they MIGHT be able to compete at home against the bottom three of sec in any given year.
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:33 pm
jeff schultz is a HACK
You have not been reading JS blogs for very long have you. He has lit into the south on several occasions. As for MN beating half the SEC in football. PLEASE pass that Kool-Aid your drinking. Keep dreaming my friend. They could not even beat up on half the ACC…… OK, maybe half the ACC.
kurt
March 19th, 2010
4:33 pm
i obviously never said he never wins big games. i said he is soft and won’t compete for NATIONAL titles on a regular basis. if u are satisfied with occasional sec title and bowl wins over hawaii and texas a&m then u should be satisfied. as a dawg fan, i am not satisfied with that.
BoddagettaFlyer
March 19th, 2010
4:36 pm
Speaking as an Auburn grad…once I saw this, I felt like I had won the lottery. Would I love for Tubby to move to the Plains? Sure. But I’m not deluding myself into thinking this is a done deal. What I do think is Jay Jacobs needs to make a splash in order to keep his job. He hasn’t made a whole lot of friends since he became AD. Furthermore, the basketball program needs a real shot in the arm (a new arena is a nice start…BEMC was a dump). Lebo was a nice guy and all, but if that’s all we’re concerned about, well, I can be a nice guy for half of what he makes. So let’s pull a Bammer, open up the checkbook and buy us a tourney run.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled snark fest between Bees/Leghumpers, Leghumpers/Bammers, Yankees/Southerners, already in progress.
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:37 pm
Kurt: Fair enough, but who competes for NC’s on a regular basis. Not Bama, not UF and not LSU. A run of a couple years maybe. Too hard to compete every year for a NC. Keep your eye on UGA the next couple years. I promise you they will make a run. Won’t last forever, but they will make a run for a couple years. I’m saying that they will win the NC for sure this coming year, but the will contend some time in the next couple.
What team do you follow?
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:38 pm
kurt – I say that because there has to be others out there other thab UGA or you would see the same thing I do.
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:39 pm
I’ll work on my spelling next time
kurt
March 19th, 2010
4:42 pm
dave in tampa….i am a die hard UGA fan. sorry u can’t tell sometimes. but i am frustrated with CMR. urban meyer is out working us. until CMR understands that florida is the measuring stick in sec east and he does something about it, we will continue to play second fiddle to them. and ‘tween the hedges’ means nothing anymore.
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:49 pm
I think that CMR got too caught up with, “My friend really does suck as a defensive coordinator and I’m going to have to fire him.” I feel he will be alright now that I he finally understands that he better get it together. I think he did that with the new DC. I feel in 2 years we will be a force in the SEC. Possibly this year, but it usually takes 2 years to nail down a new defensive scheme. For the 1st time since the mid 2000’s I like what I see. Time will tell.
stinkie
March 19th, 2010
4:49 pm
How long will he last in the SEC when he doesn’t inherit a national championship team?
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:52 pm
stinkie: love the name. 3-4 years tops. I think Damon will give him a little more rope to hang himself than most AD’s
kurt
March 19th, 2010
4:54 pm
dave in tampa….i hope u r right. what bama did to us year before last should have been the big eye opener. we were not ready for that storm. i’m just not sure if CMR is able to fire up the troops like meyer and saban.
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
4:58 pm
Kurt, point taken. I see the UT game last year as an “eye opener” Maybe I give him to much slack. I was extremley upset with that game. Not sure, I like to root for the good guys something Myer & Saban are not. CMR get’s them ready for life as well as football. The other two is all about football. I bet CMR would of loved to work with Tebow the past couple years on fine tuning his release to get him ready for the next level. Myer could care less.
atlvol55
March 19th, 2010
5:01 pm
First I would say I have no dog in this fight. But, why are there so many Minnesota fans on here, and second, how are the Minnesota fans acting like it is not cold there?
From Wikipedia…. The average annual temperature of 45.4 °F (7.4 °C) gives the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area the coldest annual mean temperature of any major metropolitan area in the continental United States.[31]
Average High Temp in Auburn, AL Dec: 66; Jan 55; Feb 60.
If Minnesota/Midwest is so great, why is everyone moving to the South in droves….oh yeah, almost at or near the top of the list….the weather..
Also, please Minnesota is pretty irrelevant in any sport. I hate to bring you the bad news. The only programs in the Big Ten that matter are Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue, and Wisconsin…(and Michigan in football)
Tubby Smith Auburn - Keada
March 19th, 2010
5:03 pm
[...] make the most of its defensive opportunities, there were suggestions Smith was about to make the mTubby Smith Auburn – “I thought we didn't capitalize,” said Minnesota Coach Tubby Smith. As much as the Gophers [...]
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
5:04 pm
atlvol55 – Agree, I would have to say that half of them are probably Techies.. ha ha I’m sure you got a good laugh out of the guy that posted that MN could beat half the SEC football teams regularly. I split my pants on that one
Tubby Smith may be headed back to SEC — to Auburn | Jeff Schultz
March 19th, 2010
5:06 pm
[...] Read the rest here: Tubby Smith may be headed back to SEC — to Auburn | Jeff Schultz [...]
kurt
March 19th, 2010
5:06 pm
u are correct there. CMR is a good guy. i do not like meyer or saban at all and would not want them as coaches. that being said, i believe they can be beaten and the person who beats them be a good guy. but something is not right. way too much talent in athens to get beat by tenn like that.
Tubby Smith Auburn
March 19th, 2010
5:11 pm
[...] Tubby Smith May Be Headed Back To SEC — To Auburn | Jeff SchultzTubby Smith is being rumored for the basketball coaching opening at Auburn and may leave M… [...]
Dave In Tampa
March 19th, 2010
5:18 pm
Gotta run guys. It’s been fun. Have a great weekend!
Big Man Harris
March 19th, 2010
5:20 pm
Tubby is a GREAT coach. His teams get better, his players become solid and strengthen their weaknesses and they improve from beginning to the end of the season. He’s a nice person as well. I met him at Centennial Park during the 96 Olympics and he took time out to speak when I asked for a pic. For him to pass on his dream job to stay in Athens woulda been foolish. Things change in life. It’s all about how you handle them and he handled them with grace. He’d be an asset to ANY program.
Tubby Smith Auburn | VsCon
March 19th, 2010
5:20 pm
[...] reports that a jump to the Tigers is imminent. “That's just talk … because I'm pleased with wTubby Smith Auburn – Minnesota coach Tubby Smith, one of two men on Auburn's initial list of candidates, on Friday [...]
Einsteindawg
March 19th, 2010
5:25 pm
Tubby is an excellent BB coach and an oportunist…he’s what’s wrong with college athletics today. What good is a contract when it unfairly benefits one party. In fact, this is what’s wrong with society in general, today. No one lives up to their word if they can find a LEGAL way around it. There is zero responsibility and accountability and integrity. Tub is a great coach, but a POS, and a horrible role model…good for you War Eagles. Just my opinion.
Tubby Smith Auburn - XTS
March 19th, 2010
5:30 pm
[...] Tubby Smith May Be Headed Back To SEC — To Auburn | Jeff Schultz Tubby Smith is being rumored for the basketball coaching opening at Auburn and may leave Minnesota following the NCAA tournament. [...]
K
March 19th, 2010
5:57 pm
Wait, leaving Minneapolis to go to a crappy college town in a crappy state for a crappy basketball program in a mediocre basketball conference? Seriously?
K
March 19th, 2010
6:13 pm
Though I’m guessing the academic requirements at Auburn won’t be as much of an issue as in the Big Ten, so he’s got that going for him if he leaves.
GopherRealist
March 19th, 2010
8:37 pm
Ifff, Tubby had Mbakwe, White and Nolan all year, 25 wins easy, and a great shot at the Sweet 16 or further. We still love em up here, hope he stays.
GopherRealist
March 19th, 2010
8:46 pm
Oh yah, a quick note on the comments about weather and places to live, it is cold here from late November to early March, otherwise it’s very nice. During those cold months most people talk about leaving here, especially the old decrepid ones that wish it were warmer all the time for their old bones? Believe it or not, there is more to life than walking around in your shorts. MN Gophers football is an afterthought unfortunately, this is professinal sports town when it comes to football, very little interested in the Gophers, it’s all Vikings here.
Tubby going to Auburn? - VolNation
March 19th, 2010
9:19 pm
[...] [...]
Zulu
March 19th, 2010
9:58 pm
The denial by Tubby makes it a lock for Auburn, just like a vote of confidance by an owner confirms a guy will get fired.
hind tit
March 19th, 2010
10:43 pm
he’ll get a big raise and stay.
Dalton
March 19th, 2010
10:46 pm
Very few coaches have loyalty!! It starts with Tubby Smith. He is looking at Auburn but has his sights on…………!!
UKUGA
March 19th, 2010
10:57 pm
Where’s Terrence Moore when you need him?
Mark
March 19th, 2010
11:18 pm
Thanks for the Twin Cities slam. Always like to hear the positive comments from other parts of the U.S. We like it here and so does Tubby.
Wayne stuck in AL
March 19th, 2010
11:33 pm
Living only 20 miles from AU, and having gone there nearly 30 years ago, I can tell you unequivocably that NO ONE cares about AU basketball…Only if Bobby Lowder and YellaWood man cared enough to pony enough money on the table will they hire a name brand coach, but even then, the students don’t care, and the alumni don’t give a rat’s behind, either.
mn rules
March 19th, 2010
11:44 pm
Everyone, people are supposed to be talking about basketball on here. So for all you southerners who’s life only revolves around football, I think it about time to rap it up until fall rolls around.
Go Fur
March 20th, 2010
5:37 am
Tubby was responsible for 2 recruits in Minnesota’s starting lineup…he didn’t recruit Hoffarber, the second best 3 point shooter in the nation this year, didn’t recruit senior Lawrence Westbrook who was their scoring leader, and didn’t recruit Damien Johnson who was widely overlooked but a great all around player for Minnesota. Those are arguably Minnesota’s 3 best performers and they just fell into Tubby’s lap…so don’t be quick to give him all that credit…..Hoffarber went on a bad slump later in the season because Tubby doesn’t use him right…watch Minnesota film and you’ll notice how he rarely ran Hoffarber around picks or ran plays to free him up for good looks from the outside….Tubby’s offense has Hoffarber standing around motionless on the perimeter most of the game…it doesn’t take a basketball genious to know that it’d be smart to try and free this guy up once in awhile and get him some looks…what a waste…Tubby has no rhyme or reason with his bench rotation…Bostick gave that team a huge spark everytime he came in over the last 6 games when they needed it and was an opportunistic defensive player…but Tubby rarely gave that kid the time of day…but he let Westbrook come down and commit turnover after turnover down the stretch in games and cost them W’s…now I don’t want to take away from the fact that Westbrook can really get it going on the offensive end…but all of the greatness that comes out of him equates with just as much bad…stupid shots, selfishness, and turnovers….In my opinion Tubby’s a bad game manager and is very slow to make adjustments during games….He let Sampson steal way too many minutes from Iverson these last few games when Iverson was playing the best ball of his career and Sampson was basically a no factor that looked afraid to be on the floor….He had no touch, played soft, and commited way too many turnovers…And if you want to go into the recruiting aspect…..Tubby recruited a top ten national recruit this year named Royce White who never saw the floor because he was a punk and an idiot and got thrown out of school before he ever stepped onto the hardwood….He brought in Trevor Mbakwe who will be a monster when he actually gets onto the floor…BUT…Mbakwe sat all year because of legal issues…and his other recruit Rodney Williams is athletic with potential but was under utilized this year and didn’t seem to take many steps to improve his all around game outside of his dunking….so Tubby basically went 1 for 3 there…wouldn’t say thats a great recruiter….I understand he has little control of what these guys did but if he’s this class act everyone is talking about then why can’t he seem to recruit class act athletes?……John Leuer and Jordan Taylor are having great seasons leading the overachieving Badgers that are still playing in the tournament….both of those guys came out of Minnesota and Tubby missed out on recruiting them both….how does that happen? For lack of time I won’t even get into all the in state recruits Tubby has missed outside of those guys but please believe that the list is long….Those guys go into Bo Ryans system and become studs because Bo Ryan is a fantastic coach….Tubby got little out of his recruits and took a team that was ranked 19 when the season started and hobbled into the tournament…barely….I hesitate to ever praise a coach that takes alot of talent and underachieves all season…yeah they made the tournament and all but I wouldn’t call that a moral victory for the season….say what you will but if you ask me that has to be some sort of reflection on what kind of a coach he is
Minn
March 20th, 2010
9:08 am
Why Auburn? and why another college town for Tubby? Everything he wants is at his door in Minneapolis. In a college town, and certainly a small one at that, Tubby would again be that big fish in a small pond. In Minneapolis, at least, he’s one of many. And I think people should actually research Minnesota weather. Four months out the year? Absolutely. Hell freezes over. Well, actually that’s probably just two months. Late Dec, January, early Feb. During basketball season, where gee whiz, you’re indoors, beautiful spring, summer, fall. Being a place where it’s cold ” all the time ” is a complete misnomer. Tubby has repeatedly said he loves it here. What can Auburn possibly offer Tubby that Minnesota can’t?
mn possum
March 20th, 2010
9:54 am
The discussions around the story/rumor continue in MN. (BTW: As long time resident of both Atlanta and the Twin Cities, the weather issue balances out. In Atlanta, the heat and humidity make the summers brutal. In the Twin Cities, the winters are tough, but the weather is spectacular here for five months of the the year.) As reported in MN, if all other factors are equal, money may be the deciding issue. The “war chest” for the Athletic Department at the U of MN cannot compete with Auburn. If what is in the vault determines Coach Smith’s decision, he is likely to vault to Auburn.
TommyJack
March 20th, 2010
11:22 am
I like Tubby. But he’s a little long in the tooth.
Dawg Bawl
March 20th, 2010
11:57 am
Sounds like more Monkey Business to me….
Pi$$onaDawg
March 20th, 2010
2:05 pm
Who Cares it is Auburn and basketball at that.
Monticello Dawg
March 20th, 2010
2:34 pm
Tubby is a great coach, but fair to mediocre recruiter. Anyone who cannot bring in great classes at UK is lacking in that department.
Slight change of subject: not a good start to the weekend in Athens. Tennis team’s 71 match home winning streak stopped by Southern Cal. Still a good shot at our umpteenth SEC title though. Auburn’s baseball team used UGA’s pitchers for batting practice last night. I am willing to cut Perno some slack because of three Omaha trips this decade, however. More positive note- Lady Dogs swim team has moved into position to claim their 5th National Title since 1999 with a good showing today.
Majpr Pain
March 20th, 2010
6:09 pm
A big point in this discussion is that Minnesota can not pay Tubby any kind of raise due to fiscal restraints. Tubby is making roughly $1.7Mil. Auburn is willing to offer $2Million plus the kicker is the new Under Armour deal. Under Armour is wanting to go all out with their new basketball shoes and is willing to make this coach a huge shoe deal. Yes I know the shoe money goes to school but this money can be funnelled to salaries. Also with a new state of the art facility to open and better weather, this could help lure him also.
MN Possum
March 20th, 2010
6:46 pm
atlvol55: Also, please Minnesota is pretty irrelevant in any sport.
This is probably only of interest to Jeff. Two schools in MN, St. Cloud State and U of Mn, routinely are in the running for national championship in hockey. A third, Bemidji State, has exceptional years too. Although not a glamour sport in the south, average attendance for WCHA/NCAA hockey greatly exceeds attendance for SEC basketball – with the exception of Kentucky and its enormous arena. The game/sell out ratio is alos higher for WCHA/NCAA hockey than for SEC basketball.
BTW: Wrestling in MN is also exceptional.
pblsn
March 20th, 2010
8:15 pm
We’ve already had a “Tubby” at Auburn and he got fired.
Auburn2010
March 20th, 2010
9:47 pm
Let’s study this.
WEATHER: I have been to MN in the winter (it took two weeks to warm my nuts), it is colder in the winter than it is hot here in Auburn. Advantage Auburn.
BASKETBALL: Slight advantage MN (MN b-ball is not that great)
FOOTBALL: You get to see SEC football. The Big 10 sucks Advantage Auburn
MONEY: Auburn was 6th in the nation in total money in 2008. AU has the money. AD Auburn.
CAMPUS: Not even close. MN is urban and ugly. AD Auburn.
HOT GIRLS: This is the most important. I have been to MN, I know you need those fat women to keep you warn on cold winter nights. Have you seen the women at Auburn (or any SEC school) SMOKING HOT. AD Auburn.
This is a no brainer. Tubby to Auburn.
Punny
March 20th, 2010
9:50 pm
Will Tubby Go-pher broke and make the big move?
Ted Striker
March 20th, 2010
10:41 pm
Monticello Dawg — Nice updates. Thank you.
southside
March 21st, 2010
6:03 am
Tubby has too much class to live in a cow college town.
Yellow Fuzz
March 21st, 2010
7:59 am
Not sure if Tubby Smith is headed to Auburn, but I am sure that as far as NATIONAL rankings in major Men’s college sports that georgia is pretty much irrelevant (with a capital I).
2010 FOOTBALL (final)
1. Alabama 14-0
2. Texas 13-1
3. Florida 13-1
4. Boise St. 14-0
5. Ohio St. 11-2
6. TCU 12-1
7. Iowa 11-2
8. Cincinnati 12-1
9. Penn St. 11-2
10. Virginia Tech 10-3
11. Oregon 10-3
12. BYU 11-2
13. Georgia Tech 11-3
14. Nebraska 10-4
15. Pittsburgh 10-3
16. Wisconsin 10-3
17. LSU 9-4
18. Utah 10-3
19. Miami 9-4
20. Mississippi 9-4
21. Texas Tech 9-4
22. Southern Cal 9-4
23. Cent. Michigan 12-2
24. Clemson 9-5
25. West Virginia 9-4
26. Oklahoma 90 (votes)
27. Oregon St. 89 (votes)
28. Navy 85 (votes)
29. Stanford 67 (votes)
30. Oklahoma St. 40 (votes)
31. Rutgers 37 (votes)
32. Auburn 8 (votes)
33. Georgia 7 (votes)
34. Florida St. 6 (votes)
35. Arizona 5 (votes)
36. Connecticut 5 (votes)
37. Middle Tennessee 4 (votes)
38. Arkansas 3 (votes)
39. Villanova 2 (votes)
BASKETBALL (current)
Tech = Sweet 16
Uga = Sweet 116 (tie)
BASEBALL (current)
1. Virginia
2. Texas
3. Georgia Tech
4. Texas Christian
5. Florida State
6. Florida
7. Louisiana State
8. Coastal Carolina
9. Louisville
10. Arizona State
11. Clemson
12. UCLA
13. Arkansas
14. Rice
15. UC Irvine
16. South Carolina
17. Miami
18. Oregon State
19. Vanderbilt
20. East Carolina
21. Mississippi
22. Kentucky
23. Stanford
24. North Carolina
25. Oklahoma
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahhahahahahahah
Matt the Brave
March 21st, 2010
11:01 am
Yellow fuzz, I congratulate you on your research. It’s obvious you have no life or girlfriend, but we knew that already. HA!
As for Tubby, he can say all he wants that he’s going to stay put. He said that at UGA, and then immediately bolted for Kentucky. I wouldn’t blame him for stay at Minnesota, but Schultz is right. He’s reached his ceiling, and Auburn is going to roll out the bills for him.
Vols85
March 21st, 2010
11:37 am
Tubby, as most on here have stated, is definitely a class act and is the exact polar opposite of sleaze bags such as Callipari, Harrick, Sutton (father and son), Haskins, Floyd, Pitino, Bliss, Tubbs, Sampson and countless others throughout the history of the game including such supposed hallowed icons as Wooden and Rupp. I just don’t see him making the switch at this point in his career or life. I see Minnesota as the last stop on his resume. Not to mention that Auburn is a coaching graveyard. I know AU wants to make a coaching “splash” with a big name, but they may have to got with either a hot mid-major coach like Billy Kennedy at Murray State or UTEP’s Tony Barbee or big time assistant like a Chris Collins at Duke or Tony Jones at UT. Side note: the reason Tubby left UK had nothing to do with his inability to coach or win. It had everything to do with his wanting to win and compete on the up and up. The UK fanbase/establishment doesn’t care about the rules, they care about the W’s and championships. Think about it. UK hoops is the most penalized sports program in NCAA history. From Rupp to Hall To Sutton and now with Cal (you know it’s coming). Tubby tried to change the mindset but that was not what was wanted in Lexington.
Carolina Blue
March 21st, 2010
11:59 am
Tubby should listen to his meteorologist! Hope he does.
collegedude
March 21st, 2010
1:34 pm
Tubby Smith is the Bobby Petrino of college basketball. Always looking for that next job from the day he starts a new one.
collegedude
March 21st, 2010
1:43 pm
@Yellow Fuzz, nice stats, too bad it doesn’t translate to wins in competition against UGA in most instances. Let’s see, your top 25 football team LOST to UGA. Your “sweet 16″ basketball team LOST to UGA. At least you got us back in baseball this year I guess, so the year isn’t a TOTAL loss for you guys at the NATS.
Luke
March 22nd, 2010
12:45 am
Dear Jeff Shultz,
1. A real journalist provides real sources whenever they write a news article. At least that’s what I was taught. Dennis Dodd’s “blog” does not count.
2. Did you talk with Tubby Smith at all? Because judging by reading this article you didn’t.
3. Before bashing the great state of Minnesota, maybe you should move there. Get to understand the culture, the people, and yes the weather before producing such slander. That’’s what real journalists do.
Thank you for your time.
MAHOGMA
March 22nd, 2010
11:41 am
I suppose I should post my full resume’ and credentials here,seeing as I have as much chance of coaching Auburn next year as Tubby does. Aren’t you people old enough to realize that wishing something was true isn’t the same thing as having it actually happen?
Elisa
March 23rd, 2010
4:39 am
UGA should move heaven and earth to re-sign Smith. It’s the smart thing to do.
Elisa
March 23rd, 2010
4:46 am
Yellow Fuzz hits the nail on the head with actual numbers showing how dominant Tech is over UGA.
I’m glad he didn’t add player arrest records, or UGA would have moved up a lot!
Phone Check Homey
March 23rd, 2010
9:35 am
Elisa,
4:46 AM says a lot.
Only a three day crack binge could make you think Trek is dominant over UGA.
60-39-5
30-24
73-66
Get off the pipe and get some sleep.
Phone Check Homey
March 23rd, 2010
9:36 am
I’m glad they didn’t include convicted student members of Al Qaida or Trek would be #1.
Phone Check Homey
March 23rd, 2010
9:41 am
If Tubby is long in the tooth, as mentioned above, Al Groh’s teeth must be 3 feet long.
Recruits love the energy that a guy who stunt doubled on the movie Cocoon brings to the field.
TUCK FECH
March 23rd, 2010
1:07 pm
I always thought Tubby should have never left UGA. Georgia was ready to name the basketball court after him. The fans loved him! No way he goes to Tech …He has too much class
DAWG Trapped in BAMA!
March 31st, 2010
9:11 am
Would someone please remove this article from the AJC and have Jeff write something new already. Jeez it must be slow times right now.
BigGAdawg
April 1st, 2010
9:52 am
Jeff,
Are you and Bradley in a contest to see who is the most lazy writer at the AJC? Is you article quota down to one a month? This time of year you should have something new everyday.
TommyJack
April 1st, 2010
11:53 am
Sorry about your Mom, Jeff. Sounds like a worderful lady.
As for Tubby, he would be a great (re)addition to the SEC.
fanfromathens
April 2nd, 2010
9:15 pm
I like Tubby, but I still wonder why he recommended Ron Jirsa to be his successor when he left UGA.
Mid Town Joe
April 3rd, 2010
8:20 am
http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/89726482.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU
hunker down
April 7th, 2010
3:10 am
Wonder what school will toss a ton of money at Brad Stevens.