It’s Time For Tubby Smith To Go

Tubby Smith is a legendary coach, a good recruiter, and a decent person. But his time in Minnesota should come to an end. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images The results simply prove this. The Gophers had very high expectations this season. On New Year’s Day, they were ranked eighth nationally, then abruptly dropped four straight. There was also a stretch during early February where Minnesota lost four of five. And finally, with his team nearing the NCAA Tournament bubble, Smith’s group closed the season failing at bottom-dweller Nebraska and getting mauled by a Purdue squad that won’t even qualify for the NIT. These are signs of a team with no business being rewarded an tourney bid. Another sign of an underachieving coach is potentially missing the field of 68 for the fourth time in six seasons — and third year in a row – despite talent-laden rosters.  Smith has posted nearly 80 losses in six campaigns, which is pretty devastating when you consider many top coaches have half as ...