Tubby Smith Name is Heading to the Rafters

[okie1]

This has been a long time coming.  Tubby is by in large thought of as one of the 'good guys' in the coaching profession.  He had some outstanding teams at UK as well.  Congrats!

[Voice of Reason]

4 minutes ago, okie1 said:

This has been a long time coming.  Tubby is by in large thought of as one of the 'good guys' in the coaching profession.  He had some outstanding teams at UK as well.  Congrats!

More details on this story please. What is happening?

[TheDeuce]

45 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

More details on this story please. What is happening?

An assumption became fact Tuesday as Kentucky announced it will honor former coach Orlando “Tubby” Smith before the game against High Point on Dec. 31. UK will retire a jersey in Smith’s honor, the school said. It will hang in the Rupp Arena rafters.

“It’s very humbling,” Smith said in a virtual appearance on the “BBN Tonight” television show. “We’re very grateful to have had an opportunity to lead that program.

https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article255131667.html#storylink=sectionheadlines

[nikeman49]

Great to hear, one of the truly good guys in the game.

[9068]

First class gentleman! Great ambassador of the game.

[4 Quarters]

I agree with most of the above comments, but didn't Tubby basically get ran out of Lexington?

[Randy Parker]

2 hours ago, 4 Quarters said:

I agree with most of the above comments, but didn't Tubby basically get ran out of Lexington?

Yes.  But he was clearly on the decline when he left.

That said, this honor is very deserving.  Tubby is a good dude.

[okie1]

11 hours ago, 4 Quarters said:

I agree with most of the above comments, but didn't Tubby basically get ran out of Lexington?

So did Adolph Rupp and Joe Hall...it's part of the job...just like another year like last year for Cal and folks will be wanting his head!

[ChickenWyngz]

20 minutes ago, okie1 said:

So did Adolph Rupp and Joe Hall...it's part of the job...just like another year like last year for Cal and folks will be wanting his head!

A lot of people already did....

[okie1]

8 hours ago, Randy Parker said:

Yes.  But he was clearly on the decline when he left.

That said, this honor is very deserving.  Tubby is a good dude.

I wouldn't say that Tubby was on the decline, just isn't cut out to recruit the highly sought after, often entitled elite players.  I think that Tubby wanted blue collar, humble guys like himself and unfortunately that doesn't sell recruits in this day and age.

I have always said if I could create the perfect coach, I would have Cal recruit them, Pitino prepare them and let Tubby be the in game coach. 

[John Anthony]

Tubby is a great guy and a really good bball coach.  I wonder if the new NIL deals would have helped him close the talent that kept going to Duke and Carolina.  I’m glad he’s having his day.

[futurecoach]

It’s about time! This should have been done awhile ago! Congrats to Tubby!