Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi told Sports Headliners earlier this week that no schools have contacted him asking permission to talk with basketball coach Tubby Smith about coaching vacancies. Smith’s contract, signed last year, calls for a $3 million buyout if he were to leave the Gophers this year.
Smith is so highly regarded across the country and is so new to Minnesota (just completing his first season) that it’s not unusual to wonder if other basketball programs will try to recruit him. There is perception nationally that Smith is temporarily “parked” in Minnesota before moving on, but Maturi said Smith didn’t have to leave Kentucky last year and he believes his coach is happy here.
In the coming weeks there will be help wanted messages going out from various schools who have decided to change coaches. Already Indiana has a vacancy, but Big Ten Conference schools have almost never pursued a basketball or football coach from another league program. Last fall a source told Sports Headliners that he heard a southern university planned to pursue Smith in 2008.
There’s some extra sensitivity here among Gopher fans about Smith because of Lou Holtz. He stormed the state as Gopher football coach, improving on field performance, recruiting and marketing, and lifting the program to a place of prominence and status on the local sports scene. Then he took off for Notre Dame after two seasons in Minnesota.
Smith, 56, has been a hit here with fans and media. He’s taken a team with sub-par Big Ten talent and improved it from 9-22 last season to the current record of 17-9. He’s made an impression with his authentic personality and caring about other people.
“I am hoping Tubby finishes his career here,” Maturi said. “I can’t guarantee that and obviously Tubby needs to be happy to do that. I think he is (happy). …I think he and (wife) Donna love living here. …
“I think Tubby is smart enough to know that sometimes the grass may appear greener some place else but he can win here. He can be successful here. I think he knows that.
“He put together a great recruiting class (for next season). I think he wants to coach them. …He’s got a seven year contract. Quite truthfully I believe he’s going to honor it.”