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.”

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Maturi said the most likely funding source to eventually build a practice facility for Smith’s program will be donations.  Maturi listed baseball, wrestling and gymnastics as programs that also need facilities.

In their last three games Smith’s team has lost at Wisconsin, and defeated Michigan and Penn State. He said in that stretch Minnesota has played some of its best basketball of the season.  The Gophers, 7-7 in the Big Ten, play at second place Purdue (12-2) tonight (Wednesday).

Although the Timberwolves have the second worst record in the NBA, they are ranked 27^th in the 30 team NBA power rankings, www.nba.com. The Lakers have moved to the No. 1 position followed by the Spurs.

Timberwolves rookie No. 1 pick Corey Brewer continues to struggle with his shooting.  In his last three games he’s made five of 14 field goal attempts.  For the season his field goal percentage is .349.  He ‘s at .194 on three point attempts.

Newly acquired Wolves forward Kirk Snyder made his debut last night in the team’s 111-100 win over Utah. He played just over 24 minutes, totaling six points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal.  He came into last night’s game averaging 3.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists with Houston.

Gopher director of marketing and ticket sales director Jason LaFrenz said 250 new season football ticket sales were sold after the news earlier this month about Tim Brewster’s nationally ranked recruiting class.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, a guest on Michael Eisner’s CNBC show Monday night, said 13 of the 15 most popular shows on TV last year were NFL games.  He said the 2008 Super Bowl was the most watched Super Bowl in history.

It tells you something about the Vikings lack of interest in bringing back wide receiver Troy Williamson for a third season when the club was willing to trade him for a sixth round draft pick to Jacksonville.  Williamson was the seventh player selected overall in the 2005 draft.  The Vikings weren’t the only ones surprised that Williamson wasn’t more productive.  At least one NFL draft expert labeled Williamson the best player in the draft prior to teams making their selections.

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The Gopher baseball team is 0-3 after losing 15-4 to No. 4 ranked Mississippi in Oxford on Sunday.  The Gophers host the Dairy Queen Classic at the Metrodome this weekend with games Friday, Saturday and Sunday against TCU, Tulane and Pepperdine.

Toronto signed free-agent outfielder Shannon Stewart to a minor league contract with an invitation to attend spring training with the Blue Jays. The former Twin, now 33, hit .290 in 2007 playing for Oakland with 22 doubles, 12 home runs, 48 RBI and an on-base percentage of .345. Originally drafted 19th overall by the Blue Jays in 1992, Stewart was acquired by the Twins during the 2003 season and played here through 2006.

The Twins play their first spring training game tomorrow against Cincinnati.  A total of 25 spring training games, including tomorrow’s opener, will be broadcast on the Twins radio network including AM 1500 KSTP, according to to www.mlb.com.  ESPN will televise the 12:15 p.m. March 5 game against the Yankees and FSN will air the March 9 game against the Yankees, according to the Twins Web site, www.minnesota,twins.mlb.com

Last night was the Wild’s first game on the road against a Southeast Division opponent since playing at Washington on November 1.  A new scheduling format in 2008-09 will make this a thing of the past.  The Wild lost their fourth straight.

Congratulations to Mark Parrish and his wife Nicholle on the birth of their first child, Gianna, last week.

The next “Wild Hockey Unplugged” event will be on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Joe Senser’s, 4217 American Blvd. West in Bloomington. Fans in attendance can ask questions and receive autographs from Todd Fedoruk and Nick Schultz.

Speculation that Brian Burke, the former Edina resident, will leave his job as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks has quieted down.  There had been talk he would take over in Toronto.

Minnesota Swarm goalie Nick Patterson and defenseman Ryan Cousins will be starters in the National Lacrosse League All-Star Game on March 16 in Edmonton.

An MIAC source said it’s likely Macalester will rejoin the conference in 2012.

The MIAC started its league playoffs in men’s and women’s basketball earlier this week with the championship games to be played on Saturday.  Hockey playoffs for both men and women begin tomorrow night, with the championship games on March 5.

Thanks to Jay Pfaender and other members of the West St. Paul Rotary for the opportunity to speak about the local sports scene this morning.

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