Per @MattJonesCBS

Star Telegram in Texas says Arkansas has had face to face contact with Tubby Smith and is close to hiring him for open coaching position

There are rumors seemingly every off season about Tubby moving on to a different job...Georgia Tech, Oregon to name a few. I'll wait for more confirmation before believing this. That said, the magnitude of the potential loss would be measured only after we see who the Gophers would hire in his place.

I'd love it. Tubby back to the SEC.

I must say, I'd lose a lot of respect for him if he left after he said this less than two weeks ago in response to the Georgia Tech job opening up:

"Why would I be interested in that job? I'm not going anywhere. My wife likes it here, I like it here, and I'm going to finish my career here."

He said the same about UK all the while he was looking at other jobs (and possibly contacting folks as early as January) during the season he left. For some reason Tubby has this aura that he's "one of the good guys" but there were many things that happened that don't necessarily indict his character, but make the opinion of him in many people's eyes that of just another coach.

The biggest loser here is Arkansas. Clearly they didn't want to experiment with someone who hasn't coached at a major college before, especially after John Pelphrey who only had experience as a head man in the Sun Belt. However, this is NOT a home run hire. As someone that wants Arkansas basketball to return to what they were in the 80's and 90's, this is a disappointing hire if true. For them at least. For many of the coaches in the SEC who owned Tubby during his swan song days at UK, they aren't very concerned.

come on, gorocks- that's coachspeak for "they didn't offer me enough money"

He could be using it as leverage in his contract extension negotiations too for all I know. He makes a handsome sum of money from the Gophers, I know that much.

IF he does leave, I'd be interested to see if Minnesota would go after Flip Saunders.

This is a great hire, there are very few coaches out there right now that they can go after than will be able to keep their highly rated recruiting class in tact. Not a long term solution but those don't really exist these days.

gorocks99;712045 wrote:There are rumors seemingly every off season about Tubby moving on to a different job...Georgia Tech, Oregon to name a few. I'll wait for more confirmation before believing this. That said, the magnitude of the potential loss would be measured only after we see who the Gophers would hire in his place.

Arkansas is a much better job than any of those others mentioned.

True. Is Arkansas willing to put up $2 million+ for a coach though? Honestly, after last season I wouldn't be 100% heartbroken if he leaves (and maybe it's just the hangover from losing 10 out of 11 games talking ... and who would the Gophers get that would be better?).

gorocks99;712091 wrote:True. Is Arkansas willing to put up $2 million+ for a coach though? Honestly, after last season I wouldn't be 100% heartbroken if he leaves (and maybe it's just the hangover from losing 10 out of 11 games talking ... and who would the Gophers get that would be better?).

I know you are looking at it from a Minnesota POV, but from the outside you could also ask who could they get that could be any worse? I know they had a couple deep conference tourney runs but he never had a winning B10 record. For the cash he was making that's not so hot. They need to rebuild without Nolan and Hoffarber, might as well start clean with a new coach too.

dave;712094 wrote:I know you are looking at it from a Minnesota POV, but from the outside you could also ask who could they get that could be any worse? I know they had a couple deep conference tourney runs but he never had a winning B10 record. For the cash he was making that's not so hot. They need to rebuild without Nolan and Hoffarber, might as well start clean with a new coach too.

I definitely get that, which is why I wouldn't be heartbroken if he leaves (he has a 32-40 Big Ten record in his 4 seasons, and next year isn't likely to get better). There ought to be better results by now and if the Gophers could go out and get a better coach (of which I think there are definitely some to be had) it would soften or eliminate the blow.

BUT, to his defense he's had to deal with a lot of crap recently, including Royce White (top 20 HS player) flaking out before getting to campus, Al Nolen's injuries, Devoe Joseph's departure, Paul Carter's departure. An OK class coming in next year with Joe Coleman, Andre Hollins (both ESPN top 100 players) and a juco PG.

Guess I'm saying I'll take a wait-and-see approach. I'm not clamoring for his head but I'm not crying at the news either.

Sports Director for 40/29 TV in Arkansas says the rumors are basically smoke:

Per my sources on UA side: Tubby Smith rumors are basically smoke. No deal is imminent, or even close. #beginrumorcarousel

http://twitter.com/MarkLericos/status/47412808480075776

I thought Tubby might like to return to the state of Georgia. Take the Tech job and beat up on the Bulldogs.

I'd take Mark Fox over Tubby Smith any day. Tubby's best days are well behind him.

Is Arkansas going to go after Mike Anderson? Obviously Anderson has deep roots in the Razorback program, having served as an assistant to Nolan Richardson for two decades or more, so that particular rumor could definitely have legs. We will have to wait until Mizzou is ousted before we know for sure.

The problem is Arkansas has 2 key players (Rotnei Clarke and Marshawn Powell) who may leave a very good recruiting class coming in. The faster they get a coach, pitch to these guys and sell them on next year, the better. I'm not sure they can afford to wait a few more weeks before starting to talk to Anderson. If Missouri gets past the first weekend, you're looking at late March. Signing day is in April, I'd have to believe some of their recruits may be waning at that point.

reclegend22;712239 wrote:Is Arkansas going to go after Mike Anderson? Obviously Anderson has deep roots in the Razorback program, having served as an assistant to Nolan Richardson for two decades or more, so that particular rumor could definitely have legs. We will have to wait until Mizzou is ousted before we know for sure.

From what I'm reading over on KU's boards, he's as good as gone (to Arky).

Now they are saying Tubby has reassured recruits he will be back, and Mike Anderson is not a candidate. Looks like a bunch of smoke and mirrors.

Azubuike24;712277 wrote:The problem is Arkansas has 2 key players (Rotnei Clarke and Marshawn Powell) who may leave a very good recruiting class coming in. The faster they get a coach, pitch to these guys and sell them on next year, the better. I'm not sure they can afford to wait a few more weeks before starting to talk to Anderson. If Missouri gets past the first weekend, you're looking at late March. Signing day is in April, I'd have to believe some of their recruits may be waning at that point.

From what I am reading (actually a direct quote, that I cant find anymore lol) is that BJ Young is going to ask to be let out of his LOI...pending the new hire.

gorocks99;712049 wrote:I must say, I'd lose a lot of respect for him if he left after he said this less than two weeks ago in response to the Georgia Tech job opening up: "Why would I be interested in that job? I'm not going anywhere. My wife likes it here, I like it here, and I'm going to finish my career here."

Didn't Matta say something similar at Xavier?

Check this out

wrote:Georgia is about to find out what it means to have a coveted basketball coach: Mark Fox is in the rumor mill.

The sports website SportsByBrooks is quoting sources saying Fox will be one of four top candidates targeted by North Carolina State for its impending coach vacancy. Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe is meeting with athletic director Debbie Yow on Tuesday and many are speculating that he is going to be fired.

The four candidates listed by the website are Fox, Rick Barnes (Texas), Sean Miller (Arizona) and Tubby Smith (Minnesota).

http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2011/03/14/report-mark-fox-may-be-targeted-for-opening-at-n-c-state/

Why would Barnes or Miller leave their schools for there?

I was wondering the same thing

Thanks for the responses above.

That is very interesting about Mark Fox and North Carolina State, and also somewhat perplexing. Not that Fox isn't a good coach, but that North Carolina State would take such instantaneous action. Normally being a very delusional school in terms of just how powerful they think they are as a basketball school -- NC State fans think they are Kentucky or UCLA in terms of championships, in spite of only owning 1 -- I thought for sure North Carolina State would try and court some bigger names first. Like Red Aurbach or Phil Jackson. Lol.

One thing is certain. If Sidney Lowe isn't fired, the Wolfpack should play basketball in the pool next year. He has officially ran out his welcome in the ACC in embarrassing fashion. There is talent there, and he is ruining it.