Tubby Smith headed to Minnesota

[bearsfan_51]

Figured this deserved it's own thread.

I think this is a great move for Tubby and Minnesota. Tubby has never really been fully accepted in Kentucky and Minnesota is an opportunity to rebuild his rep. They have their entire team coming back (not sure if that's a good thing or not) and as there aren't any Big Ten teams that are entrenched year by year (Indiana and Michigan State to some degree) it gives him the chance to compete every year. Plus, as Minnesota isn't dominated by either big sport (more so Hockey and Wrestling) he has an opportunity to turn it into more of a basketball school with some success like they had during the Bobby Jackson-Voshon Leanord era.

Plus I'm going to Minnesota next year, and I want to see some decent basketball games.:)

[BuckNaked]

He just wasn't getting it done in Kentucky. It gets so annoying watching him miss out on all of the top players.

[toonsterwu]

I feel bad for Tubby, as he, at least, from a peripheral perspective, seems like a nice guy, but he was always better with leading an overachieving squad. Not the best recruiter, and not the best developer of talent, IMO, and as such, Kentucky has "fallen on hard times" (which is still better than most programs in the country). Minnesota should be a good fit for him.

I'm excited about the potential ramifications of this, though, as this increases UVA's darkhorse chances at Patrick Patterson. Rumors had indicated we were jockeying with Duke for the number 3 spot, behind Kentucky and Florida, but Patterson supposedly wanted Tubby there. This gives us a good shot at being in the final 3, and we'll see what happens with all the rumors surrounding Billy Donovan. Albeit, I do think Florida is the favorite.

[bearsfan_51]

It'll be interesting to see who goes to Kentucky. My early favorites would be Billy Donovan or John Calipari.

[BuckNaked]

It'll be interesting to see who goes to Kentucky. My early favorites would be Billy Donovan or John Calipari.

I think Billy Gillespie and Jay Wright would be candidates as well.

[bearsfan_51]

I feel bad for Tubby, as he, at least, from a peripheral perspective, seems like a nice guy, but he was always better with leading an overachieving squad. Not the best recruiter, and not the best developer of talent, IMO, and as such, Kentucky has "fallen on hard times" (which is still better than most programs in the country). Minnesota should be a good fit for him.
You can't really argue the resume either. I think he has 13 tournament appearances in 15 years. Not to mention a National Championship. His two years at Georgia were some of the best they've had in recent memory. If he could do at Minnesota what he did at Tulsa and Georgia it would be a great success. Even to get at .500 in the Big Ten and make the tourney would be a huge step.

[toonsterwu]

From the Andy Katz list, the name that jumps out to me would be Mike Brey. The rest are in nice situations. Maybe Tom Crean, but for some reason, I don't see Crean jumping. Brey, I can see jumping. Jay Wright would be interesting.

I really think if Donovan wins it all this year, if a NBA team comes calling, he might make that jump. It'd be a good time to, because, even if he struggles, he's young enough to go back to college and establish a program, and consider another jump, a la his mentor.

[gbpackers0065]

Mike Brey is interesting canidate and i think that would be a good fit.

As far as Donovan goes, i don't think he is going to leave Florida any time soon. He has built up the program and gotten guys to stay there and they doesn't sound like a coach that will leave.

[smittyjs]

I wasn't that impressed by him the last few seasons with the Wildcats.

[GB12]

On PTI they brought up that Tom Crean is a likely candidate. That'll piss me off if he leaves.

[Windy]

Mike Montgomery.

[bearsfan_51]

On PTI they brought up that Tom Crean is a likely candidate. That'll piss me off if he leaves.

I don't see how you could blame him. That's a pretty big jump from Marquette to Kentucky.

[princefielder28]

This move by Tubby makes the Big Ten an even deeper conference in a couple of years. Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and then add Minnesota. Watch out!!!!

[bearsfan_51]

Ohio State and Wisconsin both have a ways to go before I give them much staying power. Ohio State is only occasionally good when they pull in a good recruit (Greg Oden, Michael Redd) and while they should be a great basketball program for whatever reason it doesn't stick.

I do agree that with Tubby's track record and the wide-openess that is the Big Ten the Gophers could make some strides rather quickly.

It'll be just as interesting to see who Michigan and Iowa hire.

[JPLUFF]

Why he chose Minnesota over Michigan or Iowa is beyond me.

[bearsfan_51]

Why he chose Minnesota over Michigan or Iowa is beyond me.
What makes Iowa a better basketball school than Minnesota?

[BuckNaked]

What makes Iowa a better basketball school than Minnesota?

I agree with you about Iowa, but Michigan would have been a much smarter move for him.

[bearsfan_51]

I agree with you about Iowa, but Michigan would have been a much smarter move for him.

I don't think you can determine what would be a smarter move for him. Keep in mind that he left Kentucky, he wasn't fired. From the sounds of everything he wanted a job with less pressure. While Michigan isn't Kentucky, they do seem to have way unrealistic expectations about their program (especially relative to their actual historical level of success). If he wanted to stay at an elite program he would have stayed at a real one and see if they actually would fire him.

[bearsfan_51]

Plus Minnesota is a huge school (competes every year with Ohio State for largest in the country). It hasn't gotten much attention lately because they haven't been good at the big two sports, but there is a good fan base, and he can draw from the entire state by himself, unlike Michigan and Iowa which share with other big D1 programs.

Not to mention he got a multi-million dollar contract.

[princefielder28]

Plus Minnesota is a huge school (competes every year with Ohio State for largest in the country). It hasn't gotten much attention lately because they haven't been good at the big two sports, but there is a good fan base, and he can draw from the entire state by himself, unlike Michigan and Iowa which share with other big D1 programs.

Not to mention he got a multi-million dollar contract.

The problem has been that players from Minnesota, that play basketball, have gone across the border to Wisconsin. I'm sure Tubby would've been able to recruit Kammron Taylor from Minneapolis and Joe Krabbenhoft from North Dakota

[gbpackers0065]

PREDICTION: Minnesota will win Big Ten in 2009!

[GB12]

I don't see how you could blame him. That's a pretty big jump from Marquette to Kentucky.

I know, and I won't blame him kind of like Pearl leaving UWM for Tennessee, but I won't be happy about it. He was able to bring Marquette to the Final Four already, and next season is looking pretty good with our guards coming back. There is a chance to do something next year, but if he leaves that'll set us back quite a bit.

[swagger]

Damn, that's awesome. I've lived and grown up in Minnesota, but have never been a big Gophers fan. I liked the Bobby Jackson final four team, but haven't given a crap about the basketball team since. I'm definitely on the Golden Gopher bandwagon now.

[princefielder28]

Damn, that's awesome. I've lived and grown up in Minnesota, but have never been a big Gophers fan. I liked the Bobby Jackson final four team, but haven't given a crap about the basketball team since. I'm definitely on the Golden Gopher bandwagon now.

Don't hurt yourself when you decide to jump off :)

[swagger]

Don't hurt yourself when you decide to jump off :)

You don't know what it's like, having Glen Mason as the football coach and Dan Monson as the basketball coach in my home state. No Minnesotan can be blamed for losing interest.

[PalmerToCJ]

Well, I was happy to hear the news at work today... It's just the best thing for both parties. I was VERY surprised to hear Tubby left on his own terms. The rumor is the left because our AD told him he needed to clean house with his assistants and get a recruiter and offensive coach (which he was asked to do last year) and he refused so he just realized it wouldn't happen. As a person he's a stand up guy and I respect him greatly for what he went through here, he just wasn't getting it done and that's something you have to do for your job. Him and his wife Donna are as classy as they get.

Minnesota shouldn't get too excited, he's not an active recruiter and takes on projects which he can't develop. With that said he's a great defensive coach and adapts to situations very well in game, I just think he'd be best suited for the NBA where he can have a GM. I've even heard there are people there that were complaining about the signing haha.

Onto the UK job...

I've heard tons of names mentioned. Billy Donovan will without a doubt get a request, our AD has always shown interest and supposedly one of the former Wildcats said he'd leave Florida for UK and next year is his best opportunity given he'll lose his 7 best players.

Donovan is the favorite both in liklihood and from a fans perspective. After him...

Guys I like:
Billy Gillespie has had a lot of mention and I wouldn't doubt him getting a hard look. He's extremely commited to excellence and his turnaround at A&M was amazing, he's the total package.
Bruce Pearl/Tennessee have been contacted.
John Calipari has had mention the past 2 years and supposedly will be announced as a candidate.
Barnes out of Texas has had mention.
Crean as mentioned.
Thad Matta

Others...
Mike Brey has UK connections but PLEASE NO!
Tom Izzo, he said he the only school he would leave Michigan St. for is UK. Great coach obviously but I'd prefer a younger guy. (not that I'd be mad by it)
Travis Ford of Umass, former great PG at UK. I just don't think he has the resume to warrant the job.
Rick Stansbury Mississippi St. coach, has deep UK ties and is a solid coach, just not up there with the elite guys.
Not sure what will happen with Rick Pitino... I think he's burned his bridges.

An absolute darkhorse would be Derek Anderson, current Bobcat-former Wildcat. Michael Jordan mentioned him as a future coach already and honestly I think he can get on as an assistant easy.

As for our recruits. Patrick Patterson has already said the only way he's coming to UK is if Donovan gets the job. Jai Lucas I think may be bound for Maryland/OK st. now, unless his dad is hired on as an assistant.

For next year... It could be rough. Word is our solid freshman who was very athletic/consistant and could shoot the 3 ball Jodie Meeks may head back home to Georgia Tech... That would hurt. I think Randolph Morris will officially go pro now.

All in all for the future of the program this news is great. Tubby was in the process of running us into the ground.

[JoeMontainya]

"Ohio State and Wisconsin both have a ways to go before I give them much staying power. Ohio State is only occasionally good when they pull in a good recruit (Greg Oden, Michael Redd) and while they should be a great basketball program for whatever reason it doesn't stick."


Geshhhh you severly underrate OSU. They have just about the entire team coming back next year, along with another top 3 recruiting class. We have crazy talent and one of the best coaches/recruiters in the nation.

[BuckNaked]

Word is our solid freshman who was very athletic/consistant and could shoot the 3 ball Jodie Meeks may head back home to Georgia Tech... That would hurt.

I haven't heard this. That would be very bad, I was banking on him being a top player for us for the next couple years.

[princefielder28]

Well, I was happy to hear the news at work today... It's just the best thing for both parties. I was VERY surprised to hear Tubby left on his own terms. The rumor is the left because our AD told him he needed to clean house with his assistants and get a recruiter and offensive coach (which he was asked to do last year) and he refused so he just realized it wouldn't happen. As a person he's a stand up guy and I respect him greatly for what he went through here, he just wasn't getting it done and that's something you have to do for your job. Him and his wife Donna are as classy as they get.

Minnesota shouldn't get too excited, he's not an active recruiter and takes on projects which he can't develop. With that said he's a great defensive coach and adapts to situations very well in game, I just think he'd be best suited for the NBA where he can have a GM. I've even heard there are people there that were complaining about the signing haha.

Onto the UK job...

I've heard tons of names mentioned. Billy Donovan will without a doubt get a request, our AD has always shown interest and supposedly one of the former Wildcats said he'd leave Florida for UK and next year is his best opportunity given he'll lose his 7 best players.

Donovan is the favorite both in liklihood and from a fans perspective. After him...

Guys I like:
Billy Gillespie has had a lot of mention and I wouldn't doubt him getting a hard look. He's extremely commited to excellence and his turnaround at A&M was amazing, he's the total package.
Bruce Pearl/Tennessee have been contacted.
John Calipari has had mention the past 2 years and supposedly will be announced as a candidate.
Barnes out of Texas has had mention.
Crean as mentioned.
Thad Matta

Others...
Mike Brey has UK connections but PLEASE NO!
Tom Izzo, he said he the only school he would leave Michigan St. for is UK. Great coach obviously but I'd prefer a younger guy. (not that I'd be mad by it)
Travis Ford of Umass, former great PG at UK. I just don't think he has the resume to warrant the job.
Rick Stansbury Mississippi St. coach, has deep UK ties and is a solid coach, just not up there with the elite guys.
Not sure what will happen with Rick Pitino... I think he's burned his bridges.

An absolute darkhorse would be Derek Anderson, current Bobcat-former Wildcat. Michael Jordan mentioned him as a future coach already and honestly I think he can get on as an assistant easy.

As for our recruits. Patrick Patterson has already said the only way he's coming to UK is if Donovan gets the job. Jai Lucas I think may be bound for Maryland/OK st. now, unless his dad is hired on as an assistant.

For next year... It could be rough. Word is our solid freshman who was very athletic/consistant and could shoot the 3 ball Jodie Meeks may head back home to Georgia Tech... That would hurt. I think Randolph Morris will officially go pro now.

All in all for the future of the program this news is great. Tubby was in the process of running us into the ground.

I didn't see Greg Marshall's name in there.

[bearsfan_51]

I think a lot of those big name coaches will think otherwise.

As for Minnesota being dissapointed, that's absurd. How often does a coach with a resume like Tubby's go to a program that is historically mediocre?

[DHVF]

I think a lot of those big name coaches will think otherwise.

As for Minnesota being dissapointed, that's absurd. How often does a coach with a resume like Tubby's go to a program that is historically mediocre?

No doubt, I absolutely love the hiring. No one can possibly do any worse recruiting than Dan Monson did. The best thing that Monson did, really, was what he didn't do, which was not get our program into any more trouble. Tubby will bring to this team much of what it needed, in not only a big name and a wall full of accolades, but also an intense defensive mentality and overall much more organization than we ever had with Monson. I personally see nothing negative in this hiring whatsoever.

[swagger]

Kentucky and Minnesota's recruiting standards are about as far apart as you can possibly get. The assumed fact that Tubby was not a good recruiter for UK means nothing to the University of Minnesota. I expect to see a tremendous disparity between the talent Monson brough in vs the talent Tubby will bring in.

Monson was lazy as hell. Seems he worked regular 8 hr days and did nothing above and beyond to attract Minnesota products, let alone anybody else, to the Gophers.

[HawkeyeFan]

Minnesota you sons of ...... I wanted Iowa to get him :(

[princefielder28]

Kentucky and Minnesota's recruiting standards are about as far apart as you can possibly get. The assumed fact that Tubby was not a good recruiter for UK means nothing to the University of Minnesota. I expect to see a tremendous disparity between the talent Monson brough in vs the talent Tubby will bring in.

Monson was lazy as hell. Seems he worked regular 8 hr days and did nothing above and beyond to attract Minnesota products, let alone anybody else, to the Gophers.

Monson didn't appear to have the drive to be a big time NCAA basketball coach

[DHVF]

Kentucky and Minnesota's recruiting standards are about as far apart as you can possibly get. The assumed fact that Tubby was not a good recruiter for UK means nothing to the University of Minnesota. I expect to see a tremendous disparity between the talent Monson brough in vs the talent Tubby will bring in.

Monson was lazy as hell. Seems he worked regular 8 hr days and did nothing above and beyond to attract Minnesota products, let alone anybody else, to the Gophers.

What?!?!? This is purely crazy talk. I mean, how can you not be in love with the talents that he has brought to this program? Does the name Spencer Tollackson mean nothing to you?! Seriously though, had it not been for Vincent Grier, Monson's ass would've been fired a couple of seasons ago.

[swagger]

God, Tollackson is a joke. I believe it was the Big 10 tourney where he had 1 rebound in 35 minutes of play. Some center, huh?

[PalmerToCJ]

I didn't see Greg Marshall's name in there.

I've heard zero mention of him. It's very unlikely we go after a mid-major guy.

I think a lot of those big name coaches will think otherwise.

As for Minnesota being dissapointed, that's absurd. How often does a coach with a resume like Tubby's go to a program that is historically mediocre?

Well, my point was assuming they think they'll become some kind of Big 10 powerhouse. I agree that it's a homerun, very seldom does a chance for a coach like that come around for them. It's just that I wouldn't expect many sweet 16's if I was a Minnesota fan but getting in the tourny is an obvious big deal so yeah I guess I was overrating the fans expectations. It will generate plenty of excitement for sure.

I think it's fairly safe to assume Calipari/Donovan/Gillespie to give it a hard look. We can land one of the three, just depends on which is the favorite.

Billy D know's what it's like around here. At the tournament game 100 miles from campus Florida only got about 500 fans, if UK had a tournament game in India we'd get 500 fans there. He'll always be second fiddle to the football program and he's a winner.

Calipari craves the attention/challenge, I'm sure he'll jump on it if offered.

Gillespie I'm not so sure of whether or not he'd want it. He can recruit at Texas A&M so UK should be a breeze.

Bottom line is it's BS that our fans are too rough on the coaches. This is UK... We shouldn't have to take on all the project players Tubby does, he also goes after 2 big recruits each class and if he doesn't get them he has to scramble and settle for some pretty lackluster players.

Anyone that knows the program knows he was failing as a head coach, it's not hard around here. Yes you're measured in your final 4's/championships but if a coach can maintain success here they're loved. No one didn't like Tubby when we lost the 2nd round as a #1 seed to UAB in 2004... It happens. A constant lack of recruiting finally caught up with him and he heard about it.


Here's an excerpt written by a non-biased writer for Yahoo!:
Kentucky? Kentucky is arguably the most storied and unarguably the most passionately followed college hoops program because Adolph Rupp showed up in Lexington in the 1930s and built a love affair between the team and the people of this mostly rural state.

It is that fan passion that has driven UK to those seven national titles won by a record four different coaches, to 43 SEC championships, to fill 23,000-seat Rupp Arena each night, to build a $30 million practice facility, to pay Tubby Smith $2.1 million per year. It is the fans that the school gladly celebrates when they camp out for weeks to get into "Big Blue Madness" or put their season tickets in their will. It’s like no place else.

“When they talk about the Big Blue Nation, it's true,” Smith said.

And so it is disingenuous to denigrate those same fans for unreasonable expectations, as seems to happen every time Smith’s precarious employment status is raised in the media. The fans’ emotional and financial commitments through the years are what made Kentucky. They have every right to expect a return on investment.

And under Smith, UK just isn’t delivering it in full.

While this is hardly a disaster, UK shouldn’t have back-to-back 13- and 12- (eventually) loss seasons. It shouldn't have 10-loss seasons in five of the last eight years. It shouldn’t go since 2004 without signing a top 25 recruit. It shouldn’t have the mass transfers it has suffered through the past decade. It shouldn’t have two seasons – last year and 2001-02’s “Team Turmoil” – blown by chemistry issues stemming from recruiting mistakes.

It shouldn’t have Smith cobbling together victories with a hodgepodge roster – some years there are no guards but good big men, some years good guards and no big men – an annual tightrope walk of talent.

It shouldn’t have to rely on prodigal son Randolph Morris’ failure to get drafted last June to bail out its frontcourt this year.

It shouldn’t have to watch kids who were dying to play in Lexington become stars at other, now superior SEC teams. Corey Brewer (Florida) and Chris Lofton (Tennessee) both reportedly wanted to attend UK but were not offered scholarships.

UK doesn’t have a single top 125 recruit signed for next season, which means unless Smith can land either (or both) West Virginia big man Patrick Patterson or Houston guard Jai Lucas, next season could be bleak.

Mostly, Kentucky shouldn’t have to be anything less than Kentucky. It should be a dominating program, the one that used to lay waste to the SEC before being a fearsome draw in the NCAAs. It shouldn’t be one reliant on superior coaching to maximize itself to, maybe, one NCAA tournament victory. Things could be far worse. But they could be better, too.

“We clearly understand the frustration,” Barnhart told the AP. “We’ll work at the end of the year to figure out what we need to do to be better, to get where we want to be. Fourth in our division is not where we want to be. And, you know, eight seeds (are) not probably where Kentucky ’s used to being.”

This is the Big Blue, not some mid-major.

[PalmerToCJ]

Here's a list of a guy that's in the know about UK basketball... He says this is how the list is rumored to go.

First group
Billy Donavan
Tom Izzo

Second group
Tom Crean
Billy Gillespie
Rick Barnes
Thad Matta
Jay Wright

Third Group
Mark Few
Mike Brey
Travis Ford

Supposedly Calipari is a wildcard... His background of being kind of iffy on how he deals with players and the incentives for them will have a big part in the decision.

Billy Donovan today:
I know you have to ask me that, but my focus is on winning the national championship

Yep... I'd put my early money on him.

[TitleTown088]

Figured this deserved it's own thread.

I think this is a great move for Tubby and Minnesota. Tubby has never really been fully accepted in Kentucky and Minnesota is an opportunity to rebuild his rep. They have their entire team coming back (not sure if that's a good thing or not) and as there aren't any Big Ten teams that are entrenched year by year (Indiana and Michigan State to some degree) it gives him the chance to compete every year. Plus, as Minnesota isn't dominated by either big sport (more so Hockey and Wrestling) he has an opportunity to turn it into more of a basketball school with some success like they had during the Bobby Jackson-Voshon Leanord era.

Plus I'm going to Minnesota next year, and I want to see some decent basketball games.:)

I'll be there too BF. Would you like to attend a game together? Perhaps we can enjoy watching the Vikings lose together as well? Maybe see some twins games? We could become regular pals.

[crazyisme]

Minnesota is slowing becoming a decent place for young players, they have a couple of highschools who are annually nationally ranked and we seem to always lose out on the best talent in minnesota to better programs

as a casual basketball fan, im hoping that someone like Tubby who is a recognized basketball name will help keep some of the instate talent instate..

and as someone mentioned before theres only one big time D1 school so he wont be competeing with other big time schools to keep players instate...hopefully that will help

i think both the major sports teams are heading in the right directions, the football gophers finally dumped mason and brought in brewster who looks promising and now the basketball team dished out the cash to get a well recognized coach who has had some success

and im not sure who it was that dissed tubby saying he wasnt that great and couldnt coach well and overachieved

im not sure how you can overachieve and not recruite good talent and not be able to coach and make it to the tourny 13 out of 15 years and win a national championship...i mean seriously, maybe hes not THE BEST at all of those, but the guy has to have some skill and know what hes doing to be able to pull of those kind of numbers...

[yodapoop]

Great hiring by Minny. 10 NCAA tourneys in 10 years at Kentucky including a NC. Great hiring. They'll be watchable next year. Tubby does have one mess to clean up though, and he can thank his buddy Don Monson for that.

[bearsfan_51]

I'll be there too BF. Would you like to attend a game together? Perhaps we can enjoy watching the Vikings lose together as well? Maybe see some twins games? We could become regular pals.
Can we make friendship bracelets and tell scary ghost stories?

[DHVF]

Can we make friendship bracelets and tell scary ghost stories?

Don't get too comfy, as I'll only be 2 hours away......2 hours away...

[thule]

Don't get too comfy, as I'll only be 2 hours away......2 hours away...

I'm only 4.5 hours away !

[TitleTown088]

Can we make friendship bracelets and tell scary ghost stories?

Only if we watch Are You Afriad of the Dark afterwards.

[PalmerToCJ]

10 NCAA tourneys in 10 years at Kentucky including a NC.

I hate that stat when used to say he's a good coach. Going to the tournament every year is easy at UK, especially when you come in to inherit a team that's been to two straight NC games. The team he won the NC with didn't have a single player of his on it. He was brought in because he's good at managing games (which is very very true).

He couldn't get instate talent at UK (or ignored it) but that's going to have to be the route he goes to Minnesota. Players respect him, it's just a matter of him putting out the effort to recruit.

I'm rooting for Butler tonight, I think it will only speed up the process of Billy Donovan to Kentucky. He's got a clause in his contract that states if the UK job opens up he is allowed to check it out, and I'm sure he'll do so.

[TitleTown088]

I hate that stat when used to say he's a good coach. Going to the tournament every year is easy at UK, especially when you come in to inherit a team that's been to two straight NC games. The team he won the NC with didn't have a single player of his on it. He was brought in because he's good at managing games (which is very very true).

He couldn't get instate talent at UK (or ignored it) but that's going to have to be the route he goes to Minnesota. Players respect him, it's just a matter of him putting out the effort to recruit.

I'm rooting for Butler tonight, I think it will only speed up the process of Billy Donovan to Kentucky. He's got a clause in his contract that states if the UK job opens up he is allowed to check it out, and I'm sure he'll do so.
Why would Donovan leave Florida for Kentucky? That would be plain dumb. He has a program down there that conntends every year. Why would he give that up for a kentucky program that is in the Dumps right now and will be for awhile?

I guess he may just like the UK job. I just think it would be idiotic to leave right now.

[PalmerToCJ]

Why would Donovan leave Florida for Kentucky? That would be plain dumb. He has a program down there that conntends every year. Why would he give that up for a kentucky program that is in the Dumps right now and will be for awhile?

I guess he may just like the UK job. I just think it would be idiotic to leave right now.

A. He'll lose his 7 best players to the draft this year.
B. He has always wanted the UK job.
C. "The defending national champion Gators filled every seat in their 12,000-seat arena for only one nonconference game: Ohio State. Kentucky, meanwhile, put more than 23,000 in the stands for its Midnight Madness practice."
D. He's not even coaching the main sport at his school.
E. He understands the job and what it takes.


Here's the new more revised list of who UK is going after.

1. Billy Donovan
2. Tom Crean
3. Tom Izzo

The rest...
Mark Few
Billy Gillespie
Jay Wright

Rick Pitino is a wildcard. He will come back if we want him, I'm just not sure it'll happen. Rich Barnes and John Calipari are as well, I wouldn't doubt them getting a look.

[swagger]

Billy Donavon ain't going to Kentucky, IMO.

[bearsfan_51]

I think Tom Izzo is even less likely.

[DHVF]

I think Tom Izzo is even less likely.

Yeah, Izzo's got a very good program in MSU and has a pretty good recruiting class to look forward to next year as well. Also, Izzo's from Michigan, so I doubt that there were ever any dreams of coaching Kentucky.

[P-L]

Tom Izzo is Jesus in East Lansing. Those kids worship the ground he walks on. I really don't see Izzo leaving ever. He's already in line to become the next AD as soon as he gives up coaching.

[toonsterwu]

Honestly ... as plum a job as the Kentucky program is, I've got a hard time seeing big time guys go right away. It's just a ton of win now pressure ... and the talent there isn't good enough. I had thought, from the little I've read, that Jodie Meeks was waffling, but if does leave, that further erodes the small talent base. That said, I don't see Kentucky bringing in a relative no-name, unless the guy has Kentucky background or has some relationship with Barnhart.

My thoughts on the potential of some of those names:

I think Izzo is a definite no. I just don't see it. He fits so well up there with the Spartans, and he's establishing his own legacy in the same vein as Coach K and others have at schools. If he goes anywhere, I think it's the pros. While not having hit a recruiting homerun in recent years, Izzo's gotten plenty of solid talent there, and has a young base plus, from the recruiting sites, what seems to be a decent class coming in.

I look at the Pitino rumors, and I think, the ship has sailed. You don't go looking back ... as you'll only get compared to what you did there before. Pitino has a sweet situation with Louisville right now, with a team that looks primed for a huge run next year. Hard to see him leave.

Calipari is more interesting, but he's got Derrick Rose and Jeff Robinson coming in, and a young core already. They are primed for a big run as well, barring a huge exodus of talent.

Tom Crean's a more interesting call. I believe the past indications had always been that he was very pleased at Marquette, and it would take a tremendous deal to get him to move. He's also up from that area of the country (Michigan, I believe), with fairly young kids. The team looks fairly promising in the near future as well. I think the kids are young enough that if he was overwhelmed, he'd consider it, but gut feeling says he stays at Marquette.

Donovan's interesting because of his affinity for the job. That said, his affinity in the past had to do with Kentucky's stature and Florida building his way up. Even with the potential exodus at Florida, the talent base, if you add the incoming freshman, is about equal, as Florida has a fairly solid recruiting class coming in. Dunno, I've got a hard time seeing it ... and as noted, I think there's a better chance he jumps to the pros than going to another college.

I think Mike Brey would jump in an instant if offered. The chance to go to a basketball school would be huge, and the talent between the two schools is probably fairly comparable right now. He's from the east coast as well.

I don't see Rick Barnes leaving. He's really built that program up ... of course, who knows. He has moved around a lot before, but I don't see it. He seems fairly settled, finally.

It might be somewhat surprising, but I don't think Gillespie would make that move. He's a Texas kid, and he's got DeAndre Jordan coming in. Off the top, he seems to have a very young squad, albeit, with Acie Law IV. I actually don't see Few leaving either. He's finally getting big time recruits there, and he's got a young family, along with being from the area.

I do think Jay Wright might bolt if the conditions are right, but I'm not sold on that either. To be real honest, out of that short list, I'm not sure I see anyone of them leaving their situations. Wright would probably be the favorite. Are you sure Pitino would come back? I've got a hard time seeing him leave a potential National Championship contender to go back to Kentucky.

Travis Ford would go in an instant, I think. Personally, that's the route I go. Hiring someone like Ford would perhaps get the people to calm down a bit. He knows Kentucky lore (I still remember him teaming up with Mash), and has really developed into a solid coach. That said ... the experience might not be enough.

Do you know what the plan is if the short list doesn't play out? I'd assume guys like Brey/Ford would then come into play, and perhaps some sleepers (guys like Greg Marshall, Chris Lowery), maybe even fired pro coaches or something of that ilk.

Will be interesting to see how it plays out. Just my random thoughts. Btw, I thought Jai Lucas' 2nd was Oklahoma. Also, from a couple sites today, the rumors have been that, even pre-Tubby leaving, Patrick Patterson's final 3 was likely Florida, Duke, UVA (which might explain why his family has been the driving factor at pushing Dave Leitao to keep recruiting him ... , on a side note, if he does go to UVA, someone's going to lose a scholarship, as we are at 14 already (although Petinella might get removed or something, there's some rumors floating around on that potential ... if he doesn't, Ryan probably gets removed from a scholarship (although I think we might have to make one for Calvin Baker anyways ... dunno ... too many guys, which isn't a bad problem to have considering the final years of Gillen) anyways, with Florida ahead due to his desire to play for Donovan.

[PalmerToCJ]

Tom Izzo is a Kentucky graduate and has publicly said that the only school he would leave MSU for is UK... That pretty much sums that up, if we pursue he could leave easily.

Regardless I think it's probably going to be Crean or Donovan. They have the personality to fit a UK coach. I'd put my money on Donovan at this point, our rivalry would be even better if we got him (Donovan vs his mentor). Pitino said the biggest mistake he made in his life was leaving UK, he'd listen to offers but I'm not sure they'll come.

I agree with what you said about Pitino, Toonster. It would be hard to have him come in given we would expect him to pick up where he left off which would just be asking too much.

The absolute darkhorses in the deal are John Pelfrey (Southern Alabama) and Travis Ford (UMass). Both are pure Kentucky boys and know what UK basketball is... The fans wouldn't be angered by either but we all want someone with more experience.

There's a decent chance the new coach will be the highest paid in college basketball history. Given our boosters were willing to gather 4 million in a day if needed to buyout Tubby's contract if that was what the AD wanted.

It's annoying as a UK fan to see the ignorance around the country. People seem the think that Tubby built UK like Coach K built Duke... That's clearly not the case. We weren't being all that demanding given the amount of time/effort/money the fans put into the program (it's not like Tubby was working for free). Who cares if we win the 1st round of the tournament... Hope is all we want and Tubby didn't provide that anymore.

He had 4 and 5 seeds, lost 2nd round as a number one seed and he still had a 98% approval rate until his terrible recruiting classes of '03 and '05. He did well at Tulsa and Georgia but he was only there a limited time and didn't have to rely on his own recruits.

I think Jai's second was Maryland, not sure if Oklahoma or OK st. was 3rd. I'm hoping the new coach can bring in some recruits he had going to his school. We really need a PF/C and could use a PG.


EDIT: Rumors are swirling that Billy Gillespie will be in for a visit this weekend.

[toonsterwu]

Hmm, I was under the impression of Jai was intrigued with Oklahoma due to potentially starting right away, whereas, as unspectacular as Greivis Vazquez is, he might block Jai. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

I'm curious why you think Crean is a strong candidate? I think it's possible, but is there some Kentucky tie that I'm missing that might be attractive to him, because by all accounts, the Marquette people treat him real well and the talent situation is a good fit for him. As for Donovan, isn't his wife supposed to be happy about staying in Gainesville? I've even read in some places that she would prefer to stay in Gainesville. I wonder what sort of role that might play into it. That said, all conjecture.

[PalmerToCJ]

Crean was an assistant for Western Kentucky and had a great relation with the media for his 4 seasons there. Being good with the media is a big deal around here, that and as a coach both recruiting and X's-O's he's obviously well accomplished. As far as his interest I have nothing to indicate he'd jump on the chance.

Too many things with Donovan add up for me to think he would leave Florida. The fact that he wouldn't sign an extension last offseason despite his contract running out next year (I'm sure they would have paid him well). To include a clause in your contract to state you can contact one specific university in the event that a job opens up says a lot as well. Then last night he wouldn't say he wasn't interested in the UK job, he simply dodged the question. He was here for our glory days, Pitino is his mentor and Pitino was like a god around here. As for his wife wanting to stay in Gainesville I wouldn't blame her, winter around here isn't that fun haha. This is the perfect chance for Donovan to take what it would appear is his dream job.

We've got 7 championship banners hanging up in Rupp, a 30 million dollar practice facility and the most loyal fans in college basketball... With the right coach that's a gold mine. Donovan will get the hardest push too, it's unanimous that he'd be the perfect signing and would make every fan happy... After him there's more "if's" attached to the other candidates.

EDIT: Just found out his daughter is a world class equestrian... She'd fit in well in the horse capital of the world...

[TitleTown088]

I think Tom Izzo is even less likely.


Yeah, I don't see why he would leave MSU. MSU has really become the a better program than UK with Izzo.

[PalmerToCJ]

Yeah, I don't see why he would leave MSU. MSU has really become the a better program than UK with Izzo.

Read above to what I said... He said the only school he would leave MSU for is UK...

Here's another random coaching rumor...

At least two sports reporting services are saying that a group of the top UK financial contributors are proposing that the first call go to Donovan. If that doesn't produce fruit move on to Mike D'Antoni.

UK is a very desirable job but I have no idea why they think D'Antoni would..
A. Leave the NBA for college.
B. Leave a successful NBA team for college.

I don't see that one happening, for some reason I've been hearing a lot of rumors about him and I don't get the connection.

[yodapoop]

I hate that stat when used to say he's a good coach. Going to the tournament every year is easy at UK, especially when you come in to inherit a team that's been to two straight NC games. The team he won the NC with didn't have a single player of his on it. He was brought in because he's good at managing games (which is very very true).

He couldn't get instate talent at UK (or ignored it) but that's going to have to be the route he goes to Minnesota. Players respect him, it's just a matter of him putting out the effort to recruit.

I'm rooting for Butler tonight, I think it will only speed up the process of Billy Donovan to Kentucky. He's got a clause in his contract that states if the UK job opens up he is allowed to check it out, and I'm sure he'll do so.

I see what u are saying, but 10 tourneys in 10 years at Minnesota would be absolutley remarkable.

[PalmerToCJ]

I see what u are saying, but 10 tourneys in 10 years at Minnesota would be absolutley remarkable.

Oh I completely agree. I just don't think Tubby will manage that and I seriously doubt them ever winning a Big 10 title under him or making many tournament appearances... He's getting a lot of money he should produce. He's a big name but him/his staff aren't going to be incredibly active in recruiting. His greatest success has come from taking over programs and winning with players he didn't recruit.

Via Greg Doyel (harsh but I agree with him to a point):

If he couldn't attract marquee players at Kentucky -- Kentucky for God's sake -- how is he all of a sudden going to bring them to maudlin Minnesota?

Kentucky is one of the top three coaching jobs in college basketball, right up there with North Carolina and Duke. And Tubby recruited like he was at, well, Minnesota.

Now he's Minnesota's problem. And Tubby will have problems at Minnesota, believe me. I'll hang him with his own words, because a few years back Tubby said something to the Dallas Morning News that should scare the absolute hell out of the state of Minnesota:

"All we promise (potential recruits) is an education and the opportunity to be part of the winningest college basketball program in America," Smith said in March 2005.

At Minnesota, he'll promise recruits an education and the opportunity to be part of one of the worst college basketball programs in the Big Ten.

[bearsfan_51]

Tubby was excellent at Georgia and Tulsa. You act like Kentucky made him who he was.

I also think you're being a bit of a homer. Because Izzo said one time that he would consider the Kentucky job that means he's going to leave? No.

I do think that toonster is being a bit conservative in who he thinks would not go, but coaches that are already at strongly entrenched programs are not likely to leave unless it's for more money. Particularly considering that if their big man leaves, Kentucky shouldn't be a good team next year.

[PalmerToCJ]

Tubby was excellent at Georgia and Tulsa. You act like Kentucky made him who he was.

I also think you're being a bit of a homer. Because Izzo said one time that he would consider the Kentucky job that means he's going to leave? No.

I do think that toonster is being a bit conservative in who he thinks would not go, but coaches that are already at strongly entrenched programs are not likely to leave unless it's for more money. Particularly considering that if their big man leaves, Kentucky shouldn't be a good team next year.

Yes, Tubby did well at Georgia and Tulsa. He was a Tulsa 2 years and Georgia 4 years, therefore his lack of recruiting couldn't come back to haunt him. He is an outstanding X's-O's guy but you can only do so much with a lack of talent which caught up with him here as the years went by. At Minnesota he isn't inheriting a good program so I just don't anticipate much of a turnaround although I would be happy for him/UM if there was.

Izzo saying he would leave MSU for UK seems like a big deal to me, especially given his Kentucky roots (this was 3 years ago). With that said though I think out of his respect for Tubby (they're good friends) that this may prevent him from taking the job as much as anything. By no means do I think he would just immediately leave MSU for UK but that he'd definetely consider.

I'm hoping whichever coach we bring in can bring one or more recruits of their own with them. Calipari/Gillespie/Donovan all have big men recruited (Donovan/Calipari have guards as well) and maybe they'd consider coming to UK as well.

I don't think the new coach will care much how well we should be next year (see Roy Williams taking over UNC), it's our resources that will allow them to build a team for the future. I'm hoping that by 2010 we can be a NC contender again.

I'm rooting on Butler hardcore tonight haha, we have two potential recruits (Jai Lucas/Patrick Patterson) that Donovan went after himself so they may still come if Donovan was the new coach.

[bearsfan_51]

That Tulsa team Tubby took over was awful. His first two years he did nothing but rebuild and recruit. In his last two years, he took Tulsa to back to back Sweet 16's. Both times upsetting some of the best teams in the country.

[princefielder28]

That Tulsa team Tubby took over was awful. His first two years he did nothing but rebuild and recruit. In his last two years, he took Tulsa to back to back Sweet 16's. Both times upsetting some of the best teams in the country.

It'll be just like that at Minnesota but fans can't get impatient in the 1st 2 years becuase you have to allow the recruits to come.