Was it the fans?
2007-03-24 08:42:17 · 22 answers · asked by Walker 2 in Sports ➔ Basketball
Considering the racist history of the school and it's founding head coach I'm surprised that a black coach was ever hired. Tubby Smith was never appreciated. I think he knew that going in but just wanted to prove to everyone that he was a good coach. I don't expect he will have the same success in Minnesota at least in the beginning but he's better off with a new start.
Kentucky has that "blue blood" mentality. They've always felt that they are better than everyone else. Maybe having Smith around was "uncomfortable". Now they can all go back to being "blue bloods" again.
I hope Smith has great success.
2007-03-24 09:02:36 · answer #1 · answered by Yankee Dude 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, I'm not surprised at all. I like Tubby Smith and think there is no doubt that he is a fine, fine man. But including his salary, his bonuses and his endorsements and commercials, he made 11 million dollars last year. That was reported by ESPN. Agreed Kentucky fans have high expectations, but for that kind of money you should produce a team that can at least make it past the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Still yet, I wish Tubby Smith the best at Minnesota. Tubby is also an intelligent man; he knew it was time to leave.
2007-03-24 15:54:23 · answer #2 · answered by Lettie D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, The Lexington papers have had letters from unhappy fans even before the season was in full swing. He just doesn't seem to have a good rapport with his players. Did you notice at the end of the last game when his seniors came out that he barely acknowledged them. When Bobby Perry came out the announcer said "He'll get a big hug from Tubby" well Tubby looked right through him! I expect Kentucky to get a second rate coach to take over.
2007-03-31 20:49:55 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a long time Kentucky fan who didn't call for his resignation, but I wasn't the least bit shocked that he left. Yes it was the fans as well as the lack of support from boosters and the A.D. Tubby's a loyal guy that didn't want to get rid of his staff and saw an opportunity to go to a program where there'd be no pressure and he'd idolized for winning without controversy (which I'm sure Minnesota fans will be thrilled to have after good ol' Clem).
I have to admit at first I was shocked he went to Minnesota, but after watching his press conference I can see why he went there. He can obviously make a huge impact and his defensive play will fit well in the Big Ten. And like I said before, Minnesota was looking for a guy who can run a clean program. Tubby can do that.
I was just glad to see him leave, for another job, instead of getting to the point that Barnhart would be letting him go. He got to save some face for himself and his legacy.
And if it was a matter of race, Kentucky would've never had a black woman assistant under Pitino back in the 90's with Bernadette Mattox. She also served as assistant atheltic director before eventually becoming the women's head coach for a time. I would think at a "racist" school that'd be two strikes against them. And I'm sure they would've never hired Tubby either because there were other white candidates for the job when Pitino left. Also, Rupp coached at a predominantly black school when he coached high school basketball. Had several all-black teams in his tenure there. He even recruited black players to come to Kentucky, but a lot of them wouldn't come due to the Southeastern Conference's prominance geographically in the south. Doesn't sound too racist to me.
2007-03-24 16:37:53 · answer #4 · answered by sweetie_tdp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fans have a lot to do with it...that's where Lexington gets
its money from.....Rupp Arena belongs to Lexington and if it
doesn't fill to near capacity...Lexington is not happy! Tubby
is a fine person and a superb basketball coach...(the coach
can tutor and lay out the game plan, but the guys on the floor
must deliver or it's all in vain....that was Tubby's delima...
getting quality recruits by over looking his own back yard).
Not surprised he left Kentucky.
Yes, Kentucky fans really expect too much......and Lexington
loves them for it!
2007-04-01 09:03:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not surprised at the fact that Tubby left KY. Wildcat fans have high expectations for their basketball program. I am an avid fan of UK basketball. To blueblood that answered prior to me, Tubby's race was never mentioned in his job. Kentucky has the winningest program in the nation and we are used to winning. We don't care about a person's race as witnessed by the number of black athletes on all of our sports programs. Tubby knew what pressures would come with the job and he was compensated VERY WELL for having these pressures on him. I wish him the best. He is a class act!
2007-03-24 16:33:15 · answer #6 · answered by Ronzo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am very surprised. Tubby Smith is an excellent coach. But at the same time, they have been talkin'' about him leaving for months now. I do agree, it must be the fans. I guess UK fans wanted a championship sooner.
2007-03-24 15:52:06 · answer #7 · answered by arvyj68 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they have hated Tubby every year that he has been there, except for his first year and maybe second. That is what happens when you start your son on a Kentucky team. A son that would ride the bench at a local high school team!
2007-03-29 11:18:45 · answer #8 · answered by killerbee213 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I'm not surprised, I was one of those fans who called for his resignation.
He is an outstanding person, but he didn't have the skills that Kentucky needed to get back up to form.
It was more of pressure from the boosters, though, that finally sent him packing.
I hope he turns the Minnesota program around, and best of luck to him and his.
2007-03-24 15:45:37 · answer #9 · answered by Adam C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but I am surprised a man in his 50's would let himself be called "Tubby"
2007-03-24 19:02:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋