If Tubby Leaves

[Radiated]

I had to run into work to get some papers today. There were several guys standing around in the lobby talking about the game.

One said he didn't care who they brought in to replace Tubb. He didn't are if it was John Chaney.

Honestly, I'm scared to think of who they might bring in. I know we have had this argument many times, but it could be a trouble. I don't thik it would be that difficult. But, I am not sure who would be my first choices, after Donovan.

[KapitalCat]

Unless Mitch has someone in his back pocket, which I doubt, then it is a dangerous proposition. I beleive there are a few guys, Billy D being one that could re-energize the program. I also t hink Tubby still has a chance but he has to make changes. He just has to.

[FatCatDaddy]

Tubby cannot stay and be successful. He is too stubborn and loyal for his own good. Rigot, Hanson and Hobbs should have all been released long ago.

[COWBOYBLUE]

That is a very tough question if you ask me,I personally would love to see Donavan come here, a VERY long shot favorite of mine would be Pat Riley(never gonna happen)...I will say this though,I think the next coach(if/when it happens)should be a coach that will relate to players and utilize their strengths instead of being the "my or the highway" type coach.I think their is a fine line that's drawn when you force a player to (1) play out of a comfortable position..and (2) not give them the chance to come in and contribute their skills during their freshman season.I think a lot of talent is underutilized in the system we have because of the freshman status....sorry I kinda of drifted off the topic a bit.

Thad Matta,Billy D,heck maybe even Izzo.

[katfever]

Incompetent coaches could do what Tubby has done this year and last year. There are plenty of coaches who could easily outshine Tubby's abysmal performance in recruiting and on the court.

[Wildcatcrazy11]

If not Tubby than who?

This is a BIG question. For all of you out there who feel a coaching change is needed to return to the top, including myself, this question must be posed. I want to see what all of you think but IMO if we don't hire the right fit after Tubby than it would be adding salt to the wound.

A new coach, I would argue, would be exponentially more important than any recruit we could bring in in the next 25 years. If the next coach is the wrong fit than our problems might get a whole lot nastier...

[FatCatDaddy]

I don't even want to hear Izzo's name. His basketball is as boring as Tubb's and lately he has be suffering badly.

[bluegrassking]

I don't see how anyone wouldn't be scared out of their mind that Tubby will be here.

1. Donovan 1A. Calipari

2. Crean



Al more accomplished with their talent and their systems than the listless OTS.

Those coaches my friends are instant and incomparable upgrades.

Then we have 3-4 dozen guys that can bring us 21-12 consistently and have a chance to do better.



Of course nimrod could do something totally retarded and hire his buddy Brey (who is freaking garbage btw) and find himself strung up in eastern Ky somewhere and he wouldn't do any worse than TLT either but would be a sure sign Barnhart would just assume wreck the whole program.

[KapitalCat]

FatCatDaddy wrote: I don't even want to hear Izzo's name. His basketball is as boring as Tubb's and lately he has be suffering badly.

Agree with you about Izzo. I think tubby is a much better coach.

[bluegrassking]

I'd way prefer Izzo 10,000 to -50 to Tubby, but NO SLOW BALL COACHES WITH CRAPPY OFFENSES NEED APPLY.

It's impossible to say Izzo isn't more accomplished than Tubby Smith. I'm done in so objectivity isn't going to be my strongest point but even with full and absolute credit for 98, Izzo has athree Final Four advantage and his beat TLT for two of them. Badly outcoaching him in 99.

Want a fanbase in a decent mode with some level of patience? Get us a coach who gets his team into transition. Think otherwise if you like and it'll hold true when the team is doing well buteach bump in the road erodes the patience which had many falling off the wagon during the 3 10 loss seasons, some seeing way ahead andothers just rubbed the wrong way.

At this point though, style isn't nearly as much the problem as the substance. We're very mediocre now, have been working our way here for years and are going downward. We might see a little peak but the overall trend will continue to be down.

It'snearpositive now that the most dangerous possiblething for the program's long term health is continuing as we have. I say near because nothing is a 100% but 99% is usually clear enough for for even the most conservative soul. The continued mismangement of this program will have longer term consquences than any handwringer/"gotta believe" will ever admit. If the fear isn't in your belly then I don't see how you can say you even care.

Tubby is poison.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Write it down..Donovan will never leave Florida

[BrassowFan]

TrueblueCATfan wrote: Write it down..Donovan will never leave Florida
Might very well be true but IMO it's not a Donovan-or-nothing issue. The fact is that it is time for UK to make a change after this season and there are several qualified candidates out there. Donovan is just the one who tops most list.

[ukbob]

bluegrassking wrote: I don't see how anyone wouldn't be scared out of their mind that Tubby will be here.

1. Donovan 1A. Calipari

2. Crean



Al more accomplished with their talent and their systems than the listless OTS.

Those coaches my friends are instant and incomparable upgrades.

Then we have 3-4 dozen guys that can bring us 21-12 consistently and have a chance to do better.



Of course nimrod could do something totally retarded and hire his buddy Brey (who is freaking garbage btw) and find himself strung up in eastern Ky somewhere and he wouldn't do any worse than TLT either but would be a sure sign Barnhart would just assume wreck the whole program.


The same Crean that just coached away a victory at home tonight?

No thanks. Tubby is twice the coach this guy is.

[TrueblueCATfan]

BrassowFan wrote: TrueblueCATfan wrote: Write it down..Donovan will never leave Florida
Might very well be true but IMO it's not a Donovan-or-nothing issue. The fact is that it is time for UK to make a change after this season and there are several qualified candidates out there. Donovan is just the one who tops most list.
you are right..so many candidates out there.....scary thought to me.........I mainly pointed this out for those who have pined away the last few years over Donovan becoming the next UK coach

[jdeasy]

KapitalCat wrote: FatCatDaddy wrote: I don't even want to hear Izzo's name. His basketball is as boring as Tubb's and lately he has be suffering badly.

Agree with you about Izzo. I think tubby is a much better coach.


You have got to be joking. The guy has taken his own teams to 4 or 5 final fours and won one. tubby has never even recruited and coached one single player to a final four in his career.

I wouldn't want Izzo here, either, but, he would be tenfold better than tubby andhas proven it.

[jdeasy]

ukbob wrote: bluegrassking wrote: I don't see how anyone wouldn't be scared out of their mind that Tubby will be here.

1. Donovan 1A. Calipari

2. Crean



Al more accomplished with their talent and their systems than the listless OTS.

Those coaches my friends are instant and incomparable upgrades.

Then we have 3-4 dozen guys that can bring us 21-12 consistently and have a chance to do better.



Of course nimrod could do something totally retarded and hire his buddy Brey (who is freaking garbage btw) and find himself strung up in eastern Ky somewhere and he wouldn't do any worse than TLT either but would be a sure sign Barnhart would just assume wreck the whole program.


The same Crean that just coached away a victory at home tonight?

No thanks. Tubby is twice the coach this guy is.



What? The guy coaches at Marquette and has taken a team of his own to a final four. tubby hasn't been able to do that with all the resources of UK.



Crean is so much better than tubby, it's not even a discussion, much less an argument.

[ukbob]

Crean is 2nd rate. He proved it tonight and last week. UK can do much better.

Of course with you,any HS coachwould be a better choice than Tubby.

[TrueblueCATfan]

jd&ez wrote: ukbob wrote: bluegrassking wrote: I don't see how anyone wouldn't be scared out of their mind that Tubby will be here.

1. Donovan 1A. Calipari

2. Crean



Al more accomplished with their talent and their systems than the listless OTS.

Those coaches my friends are instant and incomparable upgrades.

Then we have 3-4 dozen guys that can bring us 21-12 consistently and have a chance to do better.



Of course nimrod could do something totally retarded and hire his buddy Brey (who is freaking garbage btw) and find himself strung up in eastern Ky somewhere and he wouldn't do any worse than TLT either but would be a sure sign Barnhart would just assume wreck the whole program.


The same Crean that just coached away a victory at home tonight?

No thanks. Tubby is twice the coach this guy is.



What? The guy coaches at Marquette and has taken a team of his own to a final four. tubby hasn't been able to do that with all the resources of UK.



Crean is so much better than tubby, it's not even a discussion, much less an argument.


Funny..Tubby beats Rick on his home floor..Crean can't beat Rick on his home floor....you will have to explain this to me....:shrug:

[Rockober]

ukbob wrote: Crean is 2nd rate. He proved it tonight and last week. UK can do much better.

Of course with you,any HS coachwould be a better choice than Tubby.

I agree. Crean is over rated.

[Morehead Wildcat]

Its all about what coaches are hot at the time. A few weeks ago Marquette was rolling so most people would be on the Crean bandwagon. But since hes dropped a few lately hes not such a hot commodity. As for Donovan, hes been super hot the past3 seasons thus topping everyones coaching wishlist. But I can remember just a few short years ago, alot of people said they wouldnt be satisfied with Billy D at UK because his success before the 04-05 seasonwas just ashadeabovemediocre. So again, its mostly about what coaches are hot. No doubt that if OTS stepped down at the end of this season, Billy D would be the #1 option.

[LiveBlue]

If Tubby Leaves...

Has anyone thought of the possibly of players leaving? Players who came to play for Tubby. You could forget about Patterson and Lucas. What about Meeks, Jasper, Stevenson, all recruited by Tubby? Anyone else think this players transferring would be a problem?

[bluegrassking]

ukbob wrote: Crean is 2nd rate. He proved it tonight and last week. UK can do much better.

Of course with you,any HS coachwould be a better choice than Tubby.


Not my 1st choice either and I think UK can and will do better but the man has a Final Four with a team he built and Tubby does not so I go with Crean. You can't say he can't develop players.

Oh yeah did I mention he was the coach that beat the tar out of us in a regional final?

Big upgrade. Not the 1st or best option but a huge upgrade. TLT proves he's 2nd rate against every top 4seed in NCAA play and now during the regular season, if he was at Marquette it would be much worse.

Tubby makes Crean look like Bob Knight.

[Radiated]

Maybe we could get Phil Jackson.

[LiveBlue]

bluegrassking wrote: ukbob wrote: Crean is 2nd rate. He proved it tonight and last week. UK can do much better.

Of course with you,any HS coachwould be a better choice than Tubby.


Not my 1st choice either and I think UK can and will do better but the man has a Final Four with a team he built and Tubby does not so I go with Crean. You can't say he can't develop players.

Oh yeah did I mention he was the coach that beat the tar out of us in a regional final?

Big upgrade. Not the 1st or best option but a huge upgrade. TLT proves he's 2nd rate against every top 4seed in NCAA play and now during the regular season, if he was at Marquette it would be much worse.

Tubby makes Crean look like Bob Knight.

The way you look at it Tubby makes Matt Doherty look like Bob Knight.

[ukbob]

bluegrassking wrote: ukbob wrote: Crean is 2nd rate. He proved it tonight and last week. UK can do much better.

Of course with you,any HS coachwould be a better choice than Tubby.


Not my 1st choice either and I think UK can and will do better but the man has a Final Four with a team he built and Tubby does not so I go with Crean. You can't say he can't develop players.

Oh yeah did I mention he was the coach that beat the tar out of us in a regional final?

Big upgrade. Not the 1st or best option but a huge upgrade. TLT proves he's 2nd rate against every top 4seed in NCAA play and now during the regular season, if he was at Marquette it would be much worse.

Tubby makes Crean look like Bob Knight.


Hells Bells...he has a FF..WHOOPEE.

Hey, let's get the George Mason coach while we are at it. He's got one too. Why not get Brady from LSU? He's got one.

I still say NO THANK you to Crean. Barnhart might as well bring in Mike Brey (which he might).

If we are going to go with chokers like Crean or cheaters like Calipari, then just get John Pelphrey in here to learn on the job. At least we know where his heart is, even though he would get crucified after a bunch of losses while learning.

[Rockober]

Radiated wrote: Maybe we could get Phil Jackson.



or Larry Brown :cool:or John W:shock:den, or god forbid-bring in Matt Doherty:tongue

[TrueblueCATfan]

ukbob wrote: bluegrassking wrote: ukbob wrote: Crean is 2nd rate. He proved it tonight and last week. UK can do much better.

Of course with you,any HS coachwould be a better choice than Tubby.


Not my 1st choice either and I think UK can and will do better but the man has a Final Four with a team he built and Tubby does not so I go with Crean. You can't say he can't develop players.

Oh yeah did I mention he was the coach that beat the tar out of us in a regional final?

Big upgrade. Not the 1st or best option but a huge upgrade. TLT proves he's 2nd rate against every top 4seed in NCAA play and now during the regular season, if he was at Marquette it would be much worse.

Tubby makes Crean look like Bob Knight.


Hells Bells...he has a FF..WHOOPEE.

Hey, let's get the George Mason coach while we are at it. He's got one too. Why not get Brady from LSU? He's got one.

I still say NO THANK you to Crean. Barnhart might as well bring in Mike Brey (which he might).

If we are going to go with chokers like Crean or cheaters like Calipari, then just get John Pelphrey in here to learn on the job. At least we know where his heart is, even though he would get crucified after a bunch of losses while learning.

POST OF THE YEAR:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup

[justford]

Has Kyle Macy been mentioned?

[matt57]

i really don't think donovan will come here. but, to think we couldn't hire a top teir coach is funny. there are plenty of guys i'd like to see here.

matta
dixon
few
romar
pelphrey

[Stucat]

matt57 wrote: i really don't think donovan will come here. but, to think we couldn't hire a top teir coach is funny. there are plenty of guys i'd like to see here.

matta
dixon
few
romar
pelphrey

John Pelphrey learned under Pitino and Billy Donovan but as I understand it South Alabama has won its last fourteen games. Am I wrong on that? I think some day when Tubby is ready to go or his contract is up then Pelphrey should be given some thought. Although I have never known of a Kentuckian yet that most UK fans really like. I know they treated Joe B. Hall like crap by 1981 and the man didn't get a good word from most fans.

[Shim]

No to Calipari, he is heading for probation sometime

As for Few, I do not think that he is the caliber coach that we need.

Crean would not be that bad of a desperation pick (have heard he has the UK job built in his contract as an out)

and Donovan would be good, but remember, he has had some trouble with chemistry and has had some bad teams at Florida himself. He is enjoying a couple of great seasons and a really good run a few years back, but has had trouble nontheless.

Izzo is a NO for me.

Matta is interesting to me, but am not sold on him either.

as for the UK guys out there, they are not ready and will not be ready for at least another 5 years, and then maybe they can be in the discussion.

And Macy is a great guy, but not a great coach.

[Stucat]

Shim wrote: No to Calipari, he is heading for probation sometime

As for Few, I do not think that he is the caliber coach that we need.

Crean would not be that bad of a desperation pick (have heard he has the UK job built in his contract as an out)

and Donovan would be good, but remember, he has had some trouble with chemistry and has had some bad teams at Florida himself. He is enjoying a couple of great seasons and a really good run a few years back, but has had trouble nontheless.

Izzo is a NO for me.

Matta is interesting to me, but am not sold on him either.

as for the UK guys out there, they are not ready and will not be ready for at least another 5 years, and then maybe they can be in the discussion.

And Macy is a great guy, but not a great coach.

Okay. Then I guess my question to you is does Tubby satisify you since no other major coach in basketball seems to do the trick?

[Shim]

My opinion was asked and I gave them. Am I satisfied with Tubby, No I am not. But my opinion is to get the right fit and a better coach, and I am not sure anyone fits like people want them to. Do you have anymore questions?

[Stucat]

Shim wrote: My opinion was asked and I gave them. Am I satisfied with Tubby, No I am not. But my opinion is to get the right fit and a better coach, and I am not sure anyone fits like people want them to. Do you have anymore questions?
No as I see your mind is made up. To tell you the truth I don't know who the right fit would be either. I think somebody could do better than Tubby is right now but I don't know who myself. I think probably Donavan could but most likely he would never leave Florida.

[Shim]

How is my mind made up. I believe I am wide open on possibilities. A lot of coaches have their up sides, and they are discussed all over the boards, I am just bringing up some possible downsides as well. Donovan would be a great coach, but I am not sure if he fits real well with us. I think he could, but so could several others.

[bluegrassking]

Tubby is an Elite 8 at best coach and that's with the benefit of being at UKbut emotionally attached and with great hand wringing EVERY coach under the sun is scrutinized and said not to be up to the task except our own over his head coach, who is sinking the program noone had ever imagined.

All of you guys that can't seperate from Tubby need to just pretend he died and that we MUST get a new coach or maybe go with Hobbs.

Tubby is dead. Where do we go from here?

[Stucat]

bluegrassking wrote: Tubby is an Elite 8 at best coach and that's with the benefit of being at UKbut emotionally attached and with great hand wringing EVERY coach under the sun is scrutinized and said not to be up to the task except our own over his head coach, who is sinking the program noone had ever imagined.

All of you guys that can't seperate from Tubby need to just pretend he died and that we MUST get a new coach or maybe go with Hobbs.

Tubby is dead. Where do we go from here?

I agree that Tubby is not getting the job done now. Either that or else we just like losing. I would be more than willing to go with another coach besides Tubby. I just don't know who would be the best coach if Tubby ever decides to leave.

[bluegrassking]

"The way you look at it Tubby makes Matt Doherty look like Bob Knight."

Not at all. I just think it's pretty clear our "Top 5" coach is grossly overrated.

Tubby has proven he will do nothing but waste the resources of an Elite program.

Doh makes Tubby at least look good but Doh is younger and was a better recruiter that may have got his big shot too early. He wasn't so horrible as terribly unready for the burden of such a huge responsibility.

UNC pulled the trigger before the man had built the credentials he would need for the job, wanting family. I think Pelphrey or Ford would have similar issues. Not because they NEVER would be up for the job but because they certainly aren't now.

[delkfor3]

There is one guy that I think UK needs, he get's the talent, has the media behind him, we will need all the good will we can get, after Tubby leaves. The one, the only

.

.

.

.

.

Coach K!!!!









Just kidding.;)

[delkfor3]

But in all seriousness, we need to open the wallet for Billy D. He can't be no worse then Tubby.

[abovthecrowd]

Mark Few, or a redheaded Kentuckian of yesteryear, at least John could explain to these boys what it means in this state to wear the name KENTUCKY on your chest! It's not just another nike jersey to the people who live here and love their team.

[lribookend]

ukbob wrote: bluegrassking wrote: ukbob wrote: Crean is 2nd rate. He proved it tonight and last week. UK can do much better.

Of course with you,any HS coachwould be a better choice than Tubby.


Not my 1st choice either and I think UK can and will do better but the man has a Final Four with a team he built and Tubby does not so I go with Crean. You can't say he can't develop players.

Oh yeah did I mention he was the coach that beat the tar out of us in a regional final?

Big upgrade. Not the 1st or best option but a huge upgrade. TLT proves he's 2nd rate against every top 4seed in NCAA play and now during the regular season, if he was at Marquette it would be much worse.

Tubby makes Crean look like Bob Knight.


Hells Bells...he has a FF..WHOOPEE.

Hey, let's get the George Mason coach while we are at it. He's got one too. Why not get Brady from LSU? He's got one.

I still say NO THANK you to Crean. Barnhart might as well bring in Mike Brey (which he might).

If we are going to go with chokers like Crean or cheaters like Calipari, then just get John Pelphrey in here to learn on the job. At least we know where his heart is, even though he would get crucified after a bunch of losses while learning.



Yeah, Bob, why would we possibly want any of the 20 or more coaches whose teams are ranked higher than us, and/or have made it to the Final Four? We don't need those bums. But I do wonder why 20+ teams are ranked higher than us and/or are playing better than we are playing? Is it talent level? Maybe we need a better recruiter. Is it bench coaching? Maybe we need a better bench coach. Is it player development? Maybe we need a coach who gets more out of the players that he has on his team.

I admit, I am not an evaluator of coaching talent, like manyothers claim to be. I just look at results, or lack thereof. How many schools have made it to the Final Four since 1998? Thirty two teams representing maybe 20 or moreschools? But UK isn't one of them. It is hard for me to believe that our head coach gets paid millions, can't get to the final four in 8 years, will get a $1.5 million dollar Retention Bonus in about 6 weeks just for being alive and not getting fired before then, but you and others really seem to believe that only the Flavor of the Year coach (Billy Donovan) is capable of exceeding Tubby Smith's performance. Maybe you can explain it to someone as dense as I must be, because I don't get it. Other coaches being paid much less, with inferior facilities, less tradition, less fan support, less exposure, etc, etc are achieving better results. Please explain. If Tubby is the best there is out there (except for the Florida coach whom so many lust after), why are weon our way to another double digit loss season>?

[phoenix]

If we have to get a new coach, I am in favor of Tony Bennett.

His team is playing over their heads. (He inspires his players)

His team is slaying dragons.

His team plays a trademark suffocating defense.

He is young and probably be vital for a good 10 years.

His demeanor when the team is out there in dire straits on the floor, relaxed, occasionally grinning. He is obviously not tightening up, and working on keeping the team loose.

He is going to get snatched soon.

[BrassowFan]

TrueblueCATfan wrote: Funny..Tubby beats Rick on his home floor..Crean can't beat Rick on his home floor....you will have to explain this to me....:shrug:
I'm not supporting Crean but the difference is that UL was horrible when Tubby beat them but they've actually turned into a decent team. A win against them now is far more impressive than it was in December.

[BrassowFan]

abovthecrowd wrote: Mark Few, or a redheaded Kentuckian of yesteryear, at least John could explain to these boys what it means in this state to wear the name KENTUCKY on your chest! It's not just another nike jersey to the people who live here and love their team.

Reggie Hanson, Winston Bennet and Kyle Macy as well as 24,000 fans on any given night can explain to them what it means to wear KENTUCKY on your chest but I wouldn't want any of them as coach of this program.

IMO, if people really want UK to turn around, this has to be removed as a qualification. We're a national program and need to focus on the best, both in recruiting and coaching and not focus on hometowns, etc.

[BrassowFan]

Radiated wrote: Maybe we could get Phil Jackson.




He did state a few years ago that UK is one of only a few programs that he would consider coaching at the college level. He's accomplished just about everything that he can at the NBA level and I think that he's attainable.

IMO, he would be a great addition to the program. Kids today would want to play for the guy who coached Kobe, Jordan, Shaq, etc. and I think that he would bring an entirely new level of talent to UK.

Lexington isn't LA so it would mean a lifestyle change for the guy but it's also a lot less games to worry about.

The only thing I question is whether he has the temperment that UK fans would appreciate.

[Rockober]

Since 1998, has Tubby turned into John Chaney? Defensive minded and had good teams but could never get to the Final Four. This guy was pretty stubburn in what he wanted to do. Tubby has more class than Chaney but there are similarities.