Okay, so I know its been posted, but if Smith takes this job, it's an outright admission that he cannot handle the pressure of UK. There is no other excuse. He'll do a fine job at Minnesota. He'll get them to the Sweet 16 regularly, which he has done at all his other stops, including in Lexington.
Rumor to replace Tubby is Tom Crean. I can live with that, short of Tom Izzo becoming available.
Sorry. No Swamp ...
OK. I've tried to let this sink in some. On one hand, it was probably time. On another, I cannot get too excited until a replacement has been named. This is not a job for an up-and-comer. To handle this job well you need 1)extremely thick skin and/or 2)extreme arrogance. Your boss isn't the AD, it's the (sometimes insane) fans, of which I am one.
My initial thoughts? Mitch Barnhart told Tubby he planned on bringing him back, but also told him if he had something he wanted to do, then UK would let Tubby out of his contract to chase another opportunity.
I've always thought Tubby Smith was a good coach. The problem is that this program demands greatness. Joe B. Hall was a good coach. Eddie Sutton was a good coach. Neither was a great Coach. Adolph Rupp was a great coach, if a less than great person. Rick Pitino? Same thing. Tubby will do good things at Minnesota. Just not great things. That's what he did for the past 10 years.
Minnesota fans can count their new coach as a great person and an above-average coach. What they won't be counting is Final Four trips and National Titles.
I am certainly glad that Tubby was here and that he did notch the 7th National Title. I am also glad that there will be new blood next season. Here's hoping that new blood is Blue.
ETA:
Wait. I'm not finished. I was, but I'm still having trouble getting my arms and mind around this.
MINNESOTA? Really? And it's not for an NBA job? The Gophers? Really? It's not like he left for the weather.
Did Tubby promise to take David Hobbs? I sure hope so.
Now, to potential replacements. I mentioned Crean, and that's probably a safe choice, but it's not sexy. Not that I need sexy. I want 1) a top notch recruiter and, with that, 2) a coach who will play a style that will not turn potential recruits off immediately. I'm not saying 100 points a game. I'm saying 80-85 regularly and something that will not have me sitting there for the first ten minutes of the game wondering how these players can be your starters when they can't get to 8 points in that span.
Sexy? How about Billy Donovan? I hate that greasy SOB, but it's sexy. I'd love Izzo, but he's entrenched, I suppose.
The BlueBlood speaks: There is, much like at North Carolina, always at least a glance given to someone with ties to Kentucky. There are three people who fit that bill. 1) Pitino. Not happening. 2a and 2b) Travis Ford (UMass) and John Pelphrey (South Alabama). Not ready. 3) Rick Stansbury, Mississippi State. Eh. Not a bad coach, and probably could do better at UK. Nothing that great, and not as good a choice as Crean would be.
Oh God, please no: John Calipari. Just no. NoNOnononononoNONONONONo! Did I mention No?
I guess I just want something new. Calipari is a Pitino retread.
No Swamp is killing me.
Oh, there's more. Trust. Good lord, there's more ...
Back again.
Mark Few? It might be nice to see what he could do with a name like Kentucky as he was recruiting. Mike Brey? No Brey, man ...
Back after a short break. Just read this from the Katz story.
"Meanwhile, while watching the defending national champion Gators practice in St. Louis in preparation for their Sweet 16 game against Butler on Friday, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley did not seem particularly concerned if Kentucky pursues coach Billy Donovan.
When asked whether he expected Kentucky to contact Donovan, Foley replied, "It's a free world. There's nothing to prevent them from doing that.
"We're trying to win an NCAA championship. He's our coach and he's been tremendously loyal for a long time. That's all I'm going to say about it."
What I read from that? Yeah, UK has already agreed to pay the buyout and Billy is gone. We've got our coach that we loaned to VCU for a year on hold right now.