Tubby Smith leading candidate for Memphis

[gordonr24]

Many reports coming in that he's in town today, working to strike a deal. Dan Wolken and Memphis' 24/7 have stated that he will take the position, if offered.

Another tidbit is that Penny Hardaway would be his lead assistant.

 

[YankeeVol]

Wouldn't be the worst hire.

 

[VolGee4]

I live and work in Memphis. I just told a colleague that one year ago, I would never have imagined that Rick Barnes and Tubby Smith would be head coaches in the state of TN.

Interesting for sure. His weakness is recruiting, and Penny would make up for that.

 

[VolnJC]

Looks like a done deal..not a good hire imo..Tubby is too honest to be the coach..Memphis coaches expect to be paid for players

Best College Sports ‏@BCSNN · 11m11 minutes ago

Multiple Outlets: Deal between #Memphis and Big 12 Coach of the Year #TubbySmith is a done deal. AAC chipping away at Big 12's power status

 

[Zues1]

Wow

 

[golfballs]

Wouldn't be the worst hire.

They could definitely do worse.

I think Tubby is a decent coach, and would be a considerable upgrade over Pastner.

 

[volfanhill]

Would be a great hire

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I always liked Tubby Smith. I don't know if I could handle pulling for him though considering he'll be coaching Memphis.

 

[Volinmem]

Texas Tech made a counter offer and Tubby flew back there last night. This might not be a done deal yet.

 

[BruinVol]

@memphissports: Tubby Smith agrees to become Memphis basketball coach, source says https://t.co/nPhzVvB2bJ https://t.co/TKR8aZ9JKL

 

[LittleCat]

Nooooooooo

 

[volfanhill]

Good hire for them

 

[volfanhill]

Nooooooooo

I know right. As many championships as Cal with 90% less sleaze.

 

[RollinVol]

He turns 65 in June. If he does bring Penny in as an assistant. Is he just becoming the head coach to help groom Penny?

 

[RollinVol]

Offer is reportedly over $3 million. He made like 1.9 million at texas tech

 

[LittleCat]

I know right. As many championships as Cal with 90% less sleaze.

Damn, I guess we shoulda kept Tubby then.

 

[SDV]

I always liked Tubby. good hire by Memphis State

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Damn, I guess we shoulda kept Tubby then.

If you wanted a clean program then yes. But if it wasn't for Cal, Kentucky wouldn't be in the position that they are right now.

 

[LittleCat]

If you wanted a clean program then yes. But if it wasn't for Cal, Kentucky wouldn't be in the position that they are right now.

Kentucky would eventually get back to what it is. Billy G might have been the epic fail of all UK history, but similar to UT football, elite programs with history will return.

 

[ntxVOL]

Texas Tech made a counter offer and Tubby flew back there last night. This might not be a done deal yet.

Haha, ever been to Lubbock TX?

Believe it or not but Memphis is an upgrade.

 

[TNnative]

He turns 65 in June. If he does bring Penny in as an assistant. Is he just becoming the head coach to help groom Penny?

Tubby has been pretty successful building things up at every program he has been a part of. I doubt if he is "just" being brought in to groom Penny. Memphis wants that program rebuilt, and Tubby is at least a stable and proven and at most an excellent hire.

Let's just say a coach of Tubby's caliber keeps going until age 70 to 72 or until health concerns forces the issue. If they can rebuild, and Penny proves he deserves to be heir apparent, yeah, I would say it plays out.

 

[TNnative]

Kentucky would eventually get back to what it is. Billy G might have been the epic fail of all UK history, but similar to UT football, elite programs with history will return.

Yeah? Where has Indiana been?

 

[UofMemphis]

Tubby will make 2.8 million in year one...2.9 million in year two...it's a five year deal...Tubby did not go back to TTU last night to 'sleep on it'

Details:

Tuesday at 10:30: AD Holcutt met with Tubby in his office, presented Tubby with new, 5 year contract offer that would make Tubby "the 3rd highest paid coach in the Big 12". Tubby was very happy.

Tuesday at 3:30: AD Holcutt got a "courtesy call" from Tom Bowen regarding our interest in Tubby.

Tuesday at 5:30: AD Holcutt gets in contact via cell with Tubby. Tubby tells Alcott he and his wife in car on way to meet Tiger people in Amarillo! Holcutt begged, his words, Tubby not to make a rushed decision. Tubby said he wouldn't, "but that these Memphis people are very pursuasive."

Wednesday at 8:30: Holcutt said there was a meeting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday with Holcutt, Tubby and boosters to discuss new practice facility. Says Tubby was a no-show, and didn't tell anybody he would not be there. Holcutt said he called, but Tubby "had gone silent on me."

Wednesday at 11:00: Holcutt said at 11:00, he got a call and "learned that Coach Smith was in Memphis, Tennessse". Man, Holcutt was pissed at this point.

Wednesday at 5:00: Holcutt spoke again with Tubby, again said "Please don't make a rushed decision. I will wait for you as long as it takes." Tubby said he would not make a rushed decision. Also, Tubby did not go home to Lubbock last night, stayed in Memphis.

Thursday, today, at 6:45: Holcutt said he got a call from Tubby, Tubby told him he was taking the Memphis job.

Interesting anecdote: Holcutt and Tubby went to the Lakers - Clippers game in LA 8 days ago. They were in LA for the Wooden Award announcement. Holcutt said "At 6:45 a.m. last Thursday, Coach Smith and I were teeing off at Belleaire Country Club. Coach Smith said it was the best round he had played in years. At 6:45 am today, exactly one week later, Coach Smith called to say he was leaving Texas Tech."

 

[LittleCat]

Yeah? Where has Indiana been?

Lol those poor dopes are too caught up in making sweet 16 rings with Tom. He's terrible imo.

 

[508mikey]

5 year deal - 3 would would have been more reasonable but I guess the AD at Memephis is as bright as Hamilton was