I was poised at the keyboard to try to capture a few quotes from Tubby’s interview today on ESPN Sports Radio. Tubby’s responses were faster than my fat fingers could type them, so I apologize if the following isn’t a verbatim record of his responses. Follow along after the jump.
How long was move was in the making? “When you stay in a place for a period of time… it was something that happened… you have people who talk behind [the scenes], and say ‘Tubby would this be something you would be interested in?’”
In typical Tubby rambling style, he never gave a definitive answer. In my crappy live-blog of yesterday’s events, I remember reading an article that Thursday was the first day UKAA was officially aware Tubby was being talked to by the Minnesota folks. So my best guess is that this happened very quickly and quietly, probably starting as soon as the buzzer sounded in Chicago on Tubby’s last season.
Why are you leaving? “Challenge. We all need to be challenged…. its never easy anywhere you go at this level of competition…. This will give me a new life, a new start.”
Um, Tubs, you weren’t feeling challenged at UK? You know, to improve the program and prove yourself against your detractors? I think Tubby really means, “I’m getting out while the getting is good.” Minnesota probably gave him all the right answers.
What do you think about Kentucky fans’ expectations? “They’re always there, there are expectations at Minnesota… [His resignation] is about Tubby Smith and what motivates him.”
To paraphrase what I didn’t type down, Tubby also mentioned how there are high expectations for every team, and that at any job you will have to deal with the talk show chatter. I don’t want to get into the argument that the Kentucky fan base is probably the most passionate, compared to teams like Minnesota, because honestly I don’t live there and couldn’t tell you how U of Minnesota athletics effect the state.
How realistic are the Kentucky fanbase’s expectations? “Theres a long history, long legacy… The expectations are that you’re gonna win national championships… There’s no excuses or anything like that, but [you have to] be happy.
Tubby wouldn’t touch this question with a ten loss foot pole.
If he didn’t decide to leave, did he think he’d be back as Kentucky’s coach? “That was not an issue. I had 4 years on my contract. Expectations weren’t going to change… [There is a] great group of kids there, I had the most fun coaching last year… they will continue to compete.”
I believe Tubby here, I don’t think UKAA had any desire to force Tubby out at this juncture. That being said, I think that there is some truth in what everybody is saying about Barnhart probably being more insistent on staff changes.
What are his thoughts regarding Pitino’s stating that if Kentucky were to get rid of Tubby, it would be setting the program back 10-15 years? “Rick is a special person, that’s why he’s able to recruit special people. Everywhere he’s been… Rick has done a fantastic jobs. He was reacting to the naysayers and the doomsday sayers that call in…. We’re going to really miss Kentucky, there are a lot of great things happening in that region.”
I thought this was interesting since Tubby often never says anything regarding the negative criticism, other than it exists and exists everywhere. Also, I’m tickled that he used the word “naysayers” since that is my favorite Rich Brooks term for the football edition of the Big Blue Moan.
So there you have it, a typical rambling Tubby Smith interview. I’m sure the Twin Cities press corps are licking their chops for such a quoteworthy coach. I wish that Tubby would have given us the details of how negotiations started between his agent and Minnesota, who else contacted him, what he thought about the Michigan job and why he wasn’t interested in it, etc.
And one last thing: TubbySmith.com is still blue and white, and little virtual Tubby still comes out to say, “Kentucky fans are the best, and the love Wildcat basketball.”
March 23rd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I’m watching Tubby’s press conference on ESPNews, and the Minnesota AD basically admitted the process initially started back in December.
That really just rubbed me the wrong way.
March 23rd, 2007 at 12:40 pm
You could tell Tubby hasn’t cared the past two years cos he players sure don’t act like they do, comes from the top, it always does.
March 23rd, 2007 at 12:46 pm
HOOOORRRAYYY!!!! i’m so glad tubby is gone. I would like to apoligize to the university of Minnestoa though. I’m sick of all these so called “experts” saying tubby took U.K to the NCAA every year he was here, BIG DEAL. This is U.K Basketball we always make the tourny, except for our probation years. Losing to vandy most of the time and 6 straight losses to florida is unacceptable at U.K we can get those results from anyone. Don’t get me wrong Tubby was a nice guy, he could have stayed on and been a towel boy for Pitino.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Lol .. poor UK basketball. How long will it be before you schmucks put up the next firethecoach website.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Uhm, hopefully just as soon as the new one is announced.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
KY fans do know that there will be a short love affair with Tubby in MSP but if he doesn’t win there will be plenty of folks calling for his head right ?
I wish him the best but he’ll have to put together a winner in a few years to remain credible.
I think Kentucky lost a great coach. I wish you well in your search and hope the new one is comparably close to the success that Tubby had.
March 23rd, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Pleeeese learn to spell right!! Your opinion is funny, but did you know that every time your meaning to use the word, “too”, you are actually spelling it “to”! You’re making a strong argument for those who think Kentuckians are just a bunch of hillbillies!
March 23rd, 2007 at 3:29 pm
We ain’t to much on readin and rightin round these parts. I shore do thank ye fer stopin by. You reckin ya’ll might be wantin some supper soon?
March 23rd, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Webmaster is funny, good stuff. I like the “hopefully as soon as the next one is announced” comment, classic. I’ve talked to maybe 2 UK fans out of 100 who were against this, I like those odds.
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Thiis was a good decision. Good for UK, good for recruiting, good for Tubby and most of all good for ALL those UK fans on the verge of a coronary the past 4 or 5 seasons. I think Tubby knew Morris is gone and he would not be able to stand the heat next season. Also, w/ 1 more bad season comes less clout for him as a coach somewhere else. Therefore, Tubby leaves and maybe if we get a good coach his recruits will come with him. Boy would that be a BONUS!!!! REMEMBER Barnhart has made good coaching hires. Every program he has hired for so far has made drastic improvements. I trust he will do the right thing and UK fans will be pleased. GO BLUE!!!!
March 23rd, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Jason why would that rub you wrong? Have you wanted him gone before or after December?
March 24th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
mOST OF US AT KENTUCKY WANTED A CHANGE SO WE GOT IT. IT WASNT A MISTAKE FOR US TO WANT THAT CHANGE SO WHY ARE PEOPLE SAYING THAT IT IS A DISGRACE CAUSE WE HAVE RUN TUBBY OFF. IS THIS STUPIDITY OR WHAT. HE WAS A DECENT COACH AT KENTUCKY AND I DID SAY {WAS} SO LETS ALL OF US PULL TOGETHER AND REALLY HOPE FOR A KENTUCKY STYLE COACH AND I SAY THAT COACH IS RICK PITINO..YES HEW DID KINDA BETRAY US BUT THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE OK. HERES YOUR MINUTE……………………..IF U WERE PITINO WOULD U OR WOULD U NOT LEAVE FOR 30 NOT TWO OR THREE BUT 30 MILLION DOLLARS . THAT IS A 3 AND A O AND 6 MORE 0′S. HE HAS ALREADY SAID IT WAS A MISTAKE SO WHY CANT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HE WANTS TO COME BACK TO UK. REMEMBER HE CALLED RUPP “MY HOUSE”. BTW PLEASE DONT SAY CAUSE HE WENT TO LOUISVILLE TO COACH….GUESS WHY HE WENT TO LOUISVILLE …ANSWER…THE KY JOB WASNT AVAILABLE…..BUT NOW IT IS SO EVERYONE WELCOME THE NEW WILDCAT COACH WITH ENORMOUS GRATITUDE AND WE WILL BE BACK ON TOP ONCE AGAIN