Forget about a contract extension for Gophers coach Tubby Smith.
That’s the advice here and undoubtedly a popular position today among Gophers fans who have watched Minnesota lose 10 of its last 11 games including yesterday’s Big Ten Tournament opener against Northwestern. The possibility of a contract extension between Smith and the University of Minnesota goes back to last spring with reports now that something might yet be finalized.
In four seasons coaching the Gophers, Smith has a regular season Big Ten Conference record of 32 wins, 40 losses. If he achieves certain incentives his present contract can pay him well over $2 million annually. He signed an incentive-heavy seven-year contract in 2007.
After four years more was expected than a losing conference record and two trips to the NCAA tournament where Minnesota was one and done each time. Smith took over a losing program, but with a winning resume at Kentucky much more success was expected here by now.
Instead this has been a season of disappointments as the Gophers have fallen from a top 20 nationally-ranked team to the worst performing group in the conference in recent weeks. Included in the last 10 losses are two March wins by Northwestern, historically the league’s worst program and one that never has been to the NCAA tournament.
Smith lost his two point guards in January to set off the tailspin. Without Devoe Joseph who transferred to Oregon and Al Nolen out with a broken foot, the Gophers faltered and Smith stepped up the criticism of his remaining players.
Fans have every reason to wonder, though, if the Gophers didn’t have enough remaining talent to fare better than the current losing streak of six games. Did the coaches make the best of what they had to work with?
Frustrated followers include season ticket holders and Gopher letter winners from the past. They’re asking various questions including why the offense is so ineffective and why some players don’t improve. They’re not just disappointed with this season and the four year results. They don’t like the coach’s specific criticism of players, although it’s a roster that he and his staff put together.
At least one person among those who have complained to Sports Headliners had an answer, too. If asked, he’s not contributing to the potential funding for a new practice facility on campus.
Right now there are a lot of questions about the program including what kind of a roster and performance Smith can put together for next season. On the subject of a contract extension, the only correct answer for now is no.