March 22, 200719 yr I can only think of about 3 maybe 4 that I would want. I dk how in the world you could come up with 10. 1a) Billy Gillispie 1b) Billy Donavon 2) Mark Few 3) Jay Wright How'd I do??:lol:
March 22, 200719 yr :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: I am saddened by this news. I am truly disappointed that we lost Tubby. But, while I hate to see him go, I understand why he left and don't blame him at all. I just hate that we lost a good man. I certainly believe in my heart that Tubby deserves better than the treatment he has received from many fans in Kentucky and hope he finds more realistic support where he is going. In the words of my father when he heard the news today "Well, the Redneck Yacht Club got what they wanted and that is sad." I will still cheer for UK, always have, always will in every sport, but I have a very heavy heart today. I was not this upset when Pitino walked away as I always knew he would. We have already seen several classless posts, and can expect to see more. I will not be around to read them. It makes me sick. Good luck Orlando 'Tubby' Smith! Thanks for the national title, the SEC titles, the SEC tourney titles, and for the class you brought to the UK program. You emersed yourself in the community and did the right thing. You have been an honest and ethical man in a business ruled by those who far too often, don't share the same ethics. NEVER a hint of impropriety in your tenure. This UK fan will miss you and wishes only the best for you and your family. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
March 22, 200719 yr Called my cousin in Minnesota today. He didn't know anything about it. He was, however, able to talk endlessly about the men's hockey team's chances in the upcoming NCAA tournament... talk about different worlds. Today at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities: Construction is underway of the first on-campus football stadium in many years. The men's hockey team is the #1 seed in the West region of the NCAA tournament and the favorite to win yet another championship. Tubby Smith becomes the new men's basketball coach (a great hire... Tubby is perfect for Big 10 ball). Good time to be a gopher, eh?
March 22, 200719 yr Tubby Smith doesn't have superiors, he only has peers. In college basketball, he's at the top of the heap with about 6 or 7 other coaches. They all do some things better and some things worse, but Tubby is right up there with K, Pitino, Izzo, Williams, etc.
March 22, 200719 yr Who is an upgrade over Tubby? There were 30 some odd coaches who coached teams to a higher ranking than UK this year, and there are 16 coaches still playing in the NCAA tournament. Pick one.
March 22, 200719 yr 1a) Billy Gillispie 1b) Billy Donavon How'd I do??:lol: Williams Coach K (As much as it pains me) Thats about it and im not sold that Gillispie is better than Tubby.
March 22, 200719 yr There were 30 some odd coaches who coached teams to a higher ranking than UK this year, and there are 16 coaches still playing in the NCAA tournament. Pick one. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Wow.
March 22, 200719 yr I would bet money that Barnhardt is on the phone with Billy D. He'll be the next head coach at UK. I agree, I think he's UK's next coach.
March 22, 200719 yr Williams Coach K (As much as it pains me) Thats about it and im not sold that Gillispie is better than Tubby. Roy and K would never come though.....Billy G would be a great hire. He took over at UTEP and resurrected that program, it's since fallen off. He takes over A&M and they are a legit NC contender. That program was the laughing stock of the "Big 6" conferences before he got there. He definitely is capable. BTW, as 02 (I believe it was him) said, there is no upgrade from Tubby, just guys on the same level.
March 22, 200719 yr Author Found this on TCP... Statement from Mitch Barnhart, Athletics Director, University of Kentucky On behalf of the University of Kentucky, I’d like to express sincere appreciation to Tubby Smith, his family and his staff. Tubby has always put a priority on the growth of the student-athlete while representing the Commonwealth with class, and we thank him for that. We wish him the very best at the University of Minnesota. They are getting a solid coach and a great person. Our focus now is on finding the best possible person to lead the winningest program in college basketball history. President Todd has asked me to lead the search. Our strategy does not involve a search committee. Obviously, I will utilize the opinions of experts in this business. We will also lean on people who understand and are committed to the success of Kentucky basketball. This search will be exhaustive, comprehensive and focused. Throughout that time, I will keep Dr. Todd informed during the process. As you know, Coach Smith signed two players last fall. Those young men now have something to deal with in that the coach they signed with is no longer at the university to which they made their commitment. We have to be sensitive to them and stay in constant communication with them and their families. We also have some scholarships still available for next season and have been pursuing individuals for those scholarships. It is our hope that any young man interested in playing at the University of Kentucky before Coach Smith decided to leave would wait until a new coach is in place before making any final decisions about their college future. Kentucky holds a special place in college basketball. We have the best facilities and tradition in the sport, but most importantly, UK has a fan base which for decades has committed immense financial and emotional resources into Wildcat basketball. It truly is the Big Blue Nation, and it is what sets the University of Kentucky’s basketball program apart from every other school. I’m confident we can find the right person to embrace this tradition and lead Kentucky basketball into the future.
March 22, 200719 yr Roy and K would never come though.....Billy G would be a great hire. He took over at UTEP and resurrected that program, it's since fallen off. He takes over A&M and they are a legit NC contender. That program was the laughing stock of the "Big 6" conferences before he got there. He definitely is capable. BTW, as 02 (I believe it was him) said, there is no upgrade from Tubby, just guys on the same level. I know but they were on my select list.
March 22, 200719 yr When we went through a coaching search a few months ago we figured out we wanted the best coach we could find, the cost wasn't important, the right fit was. Go to Billy the Kid and make him an offer he can't refuse. Great coach, Great person. Don't even talk to anyone else until after the Championship game is over, after it is over call Billy and no one else. Don't play around with any wanna be's. Take it from a guy who has seen some "coaching searches". Now the only reason he might not come is because the Gators are in the same division.
March 22, 200719 yr Names ?? Donovan, Gillespie, Calipari, Crean, Izzo, Mark Few, Jay Wright, Pitino, Self, Matta....need I go more, and these are just guys who we have at least a shot at, not including those who are definately not going anywhere, even though we will probably still contact Pitino and Donovan to at least get turned down. Look, bottom line is all of the names mentioned can recruit and can/have get(got) it done with a lot less to work with than Tubby. Whether you chose to believe so or not, Tubby has really made his name at Kentucky for being a good coach, but what makes him so much better than those mentioned? Seriously, how many elite 8's, Final Fours did he have at Georgia, and other trips before that? How many assistants has he churned out that has made head coaching jobs somewhere else? How many guys has he put in the NBA compared to others? Basically, how hard is it to win at Kentucky? I mean it is KENTUCKY. Like said, did he walk on water at Georgia, no! You all may gripe and think he is the cream of the crop, but he/UK do not mix and he peaked out over 3-4 seasons ago and has quickly been on his way down hill. Bring on any of the names mentioned and I will guarantee results. Recruiters and in game coaches like that, with what UK has to offer will be a glorius thing.
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