Tubby Smith fired?
- Thread starter I-M-UR
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Tubby Smith is not only a good coach he is one of the most honorable men in the profession
Yeah, I don't get why he has bounced around, or been bounced around, so much since Kentucky. He's doing the Benjamin Button thing in coaching. I'd take him here in a second.
Why do you all kep asking for retreads? Tell me one that is as old as Tubby and went
on to success somewhere else.
I hope Hardt doesn't list n to any of you.
on to success somewhere else.
I hope Hardt doesn't list n to any of you.
Don't forget that our greatest coach, Dick Tarrant was the assistant to his high school player before becoming our coach when Goetz resigned to go into private business.
Tubby is a great example of being promoted to a position that is above one's true long-term capabilities (Peter Principle), or he is an example of a guy who decided to pursue jobs where his ethical standards were going to be put to the ultimate test.
He could have been an all-time great if he had not tried to rise to the "top" (at Kentucky). He may have been too honorable for the jobs/programs he applied to. It is possible that you have to be a little bit "dirty" (and compromise your integrity) to succeed at some programs, and KY as well as Memphis could be great examples. I would not want Tubby at UR, because I believe we can do better, but others get to make that decision.
He could have been an all-time great if he had not tried to rise to the "top" (at Kentucky). He may have been too honorable for the jobs/programs he applied to. It is possible that you have to be a little bit "dirty" (and compromise your integrity) to succeed at some programs, and KY as well as Memphis could be great examples. I would not want Tubby at UR, because I believe we can do better, but others get to make that decision.
This was my original sentiment, but after looking at what Tubby has done, I’ve changed my mind. I think he gets a bad rap because he plays “boring” basketball.
But take a look at some of what he’s done:
- He led Tulsa to their only 2 sweet 16 appearances (back to back years)
- He went to 2 straight NCAA’s in his only 2 years at Georgia. They’ve been only 5 times since he left in ‘97.
- He’s the only coach Kentucky has ever had that never missed an NCAA tournament (he was there 10 years). He also won a National championship, went to 3 elite 8’s, 2 sweet sixteens, and never got bounced in the first round.
- In 6 years at Minnesota, he went to 3 NCAA tournaments. They’ve been to 1 since in little Pitino’s 5 seasons.
- in 3 seasons, took a Texas Tech team that hadn’t made the NCAA tournament in 6 years (Bobby Knight was the last one to do it) and made them an NCAA tournament team.
Granted, his final two seasons now at Memphis haven’t been great (the exodus of players after his first year is pretty stunning). However, he’s been a winner pretty much everywhere he’s gone. He may not be a sexy name anymore, or play an appealing brand of basketball, but UofR could do (and has done) a lot worse for a head coach, and at this point, I’m not sure we could attract much better.
Hopefully I’m wrong and we do find the next great coach or Mooney finally figures it out, but I won’t be holding my breath.
Correct that Tubby Smith has close relatives in Richmond. Also correct that he has been able to create wins at his previous stops. Behind the scenes, he has a reputation that he is willing to bend some rules to get a W.
Smith's career style has been something akin to a tornado. He is personally very volatile and his programs reflect that. Player exodus is not a surprise. He ruffles feathers all around. When he leaves a program most involved are glad that he is gone. Even though his style of game is a bit different, he reminds me of a Bobby Knight or Rick Pitino. They will win. The school considering his services must decide if they are willing to pay the costs.
[QUOTE="
Smith's career style has been something akin to a tornado. He is personally very volatile and his programs reflect that. Player exodus is not a surprise. He ruffles feathers all around. When he leaves a program most involved are glad that he is gone. Even though his style of game is a bit different, he reminds me of a Bobby Knight or Rick Pitino. They will win. The school considering his services must decide if they are willing to pay the costs.[/QUOTE]
Tubby Smith is not only a good coach he is one of the most honorable men in the profession
How can both of these be true?
Smith's career style has been something akin to a tornado. He is personally very volatile and his programs reflect that. Player exodus is not a surprise. He ruffles feathers all around. When he leaves a program most involved are glad that he is gone. Even though his style of game is a bit different, he reminds me of a Bobby Knight or Rick Pitino. They will win. The school considering his services must decide if they are willing to pay the costs.[/QUOTE]
Tubby Smith is not only a good coach he is one of the most honorable men in the profession
How can both of these be true?
Tubby Smith is not only a good coach he is one of the most honorable men in the profession
How can both of these be true?[/QUOTE]
Consider the source.
He lost two stud recruits who were brothers (though I can't think of their names or where they ended up, or whether they've been any good) because he didn't keep their dad or uncle or someone on staff as an assistant coach at Memphis. I gave him credit for that. He was willing to shun the back-scratching type of system in order to do what he thought was right.
Yes, in some ways he is a "retread" but I think we could do much worse. I've also championed about a dozen young head coaches or top assistants for the job, too. I'd be happy with any of them.
Yes, in some ways he is a "retread" but I think we could do much worse. I've also championed about a dozen young head coaches or top assistants for the job, too. I'd be happy with any of them.
lol. talk to any Memphis fan about Tubby. Memphis has a history of attracting big time talent. that city has a ton of home grown stud players. he's not even trying there. maybe Tubby is trying to do things cleaner. maybe he won't play the game with the AAU coaches. I don't know. but he doesn't even go to the games at East, one of the top teams in the country where Penny coaches and where they have some incredible players. the fans are flabbergasted. he signed a monstrous contract and isn't even trying to recruit his city.
Consider the source.[/QUOTE]
Couldn't agree with you more, consider the source. You want to bet 15 of your ranches?
Personally, I would have no issue and say bring him in if you can. He will win, and he will take the Spiders back to the NCAA tournament. As stated, the school will need to consider the costs. That is their business, not mine.
I have followed Tubby's career for years and never heard a credible negative about him. In fact the rap on Tubby is he will not play the games, he will win honestly or not win. Have their been some negative comments, of course, it's big time basketball. Has he gotten the "name" players, not really, because he will not play the games. I was surprised when Tubby went to Memphis because I thought it was a bad fit. His wife has family in Richmond, and they visit regularly. They have investments in Richmond. I hope he finds a place to land that he is happy and can end his career in style. I know he has a great deal of respect of the University of Richmond, because he believes in our student athlete approach. I have personally heard him say that. Any school trying to do it the "right way" would be lucky to have Tubby.
If Tubby Smith does get fired it will have nothing to do with his lack of performance as coach. Penny Hardaway is a living legend in Memphis and as a High School and AAU coach there currently has I believe 3 Top 50 players playing for him. Memphis may see that as an opportunity to make a one time leap forward.
I have met Tubby Smith (with Brian Dawkins) along with another member of this board in an out of the way golf pro shop and I can tell you he was genuinely engaging and without anybody else around to witness was more interested in talking to us and asking what we did than we were to him. He spoke very highly of UR and our program (this was a few years ago when he was at Minnesota) and said he was very glad to get UR on his schedule in two years. He loved Richmond. In short, he was very impressive and enthusiastic. IMO, We would never be so fortunate as to have Tubby Smith as our coach.
I have met Tubby Smith (with Brian Dawkins) along with another member of this board in an out of the way golf pro shop and I can tell you he was genuinely engaging and without anybody else around to witness was more interested in talking to us and asking what we did than we were to him. He spoke very highly of UR and our program (this was a few years ago when he was at Minnesota) and said he was very glad to get UR on his schedule in two years. He loved Richmond. In short, he was very impressive and enthusiastic. IMO, We would never be so fortunate as to have Tubby Smith as our coach.
8, nothing to do with his lack of performance? Memphis is KenPom #164.
the Grizzlies pay Memphis $800,000 to hit attendance numbers. They averaged 16,000 fans at home games under Pastner. They're averaging 6,000 this year, lowest in 50 years. Recruiting is at an all time low. Fans have given up.
I'm sure Tubby's an awesome guy, but he hasn't done a good job at Memphis. Firing the assistant coach who is dad or uncle to 3 superstars may be ethical, but it wasn't smart. Not if you want to win and keep a job. But then losing a job doesn't hurt too bad if there's a $9.75 mil buyout attached.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...dering-penny-hardaway-to-replace-tubby-smith/
the Grizzlies pay Memphis $800,000 to hit attendance numbers. They averaged 16,000 fans at home games under Pastner. They're averaging 6,000 this year, lowest in 50 years. Recruiting is at an all time low. Fans have given up.
I'm sure Tubby's an awesome guy, but he hasn't done a good job at Memphis. Firing the assistant coach who is dad or uncle to 3 superstars may be ethical, but it wasn't smart. Not if you want to win and keep a job. But then losing a job doesn't hurt too bad if there's a $9.75 mil buyout attached.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...dering-penny-hardaway-to-replace-tubby-smith/
Spiderman, I feel like you would be on the other side of this argument if it were Mooney and UR. Am I wrong? Would you want Mooney to hire some sleazy AAU coach so that we could get his two 5-star sons here?
I’m for hiring players’ dads if it means 2 5 star recruits. Hell, give their pets jobs while we’re at it.
Lawson went on record saying that in order for any school to get his kids, they had to offer him a job first.
not saying I'd hire him. not saying I'd fire him to give my son a job either.
in the win-at-almost-all-cost game that fans everywhere demand of coaches, keeping him was a pretty small price to pay. he had a pretty insignificant role I believe.
Wichita St. releases 4-star recruit to play for his HS coach Penny Hardaway at rival Memphis
https://sports.yahoo.com/wichita-st...s-coach-penny-hardaway-memphis-032324084.html
https://sports.yahoo.com/wichita-st...s-coach-penny-hardaway-memphis-032324084.html
Class move by Marshall. Also smart move, I mean really, if the kid don't want to be there, let him go even if to a rival. Reading further with the article, Penny will get plenty of talent, but can he coach them on the college level?
Just a gut feeling, no information to base this on - but I envision this Memphis/Penny experiment ending badly at some point.
This will be interesting. I always say the number one indicator of a coach's success is talent level / recruiting. But at some point you will need to be able to strategize, keep the players together and motivated and compete at X and O's in game. He will definitely have the talent. Hurley had some pretty talented teams that faded out in February before the last two seasons. I am guessing Penny will have to disband his AAU program?
Sorry, not to go so far off topic, but Hardaway's son plays for him, does not sound like he is really a Memphis level recruit, or even a D1 recruit at this time.
https://www.commercialappeal.com/st...ants-more-than-memphis-legends-kid/485842001/
https://www.commercialappeal.com/st...ants-more-than-memphis-legends-kid/485842001/
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