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Why Tubby didn't take Virginia job

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Even Gophers athletics director Joel Maturi agrees his men's basketball coach, Tubby Smith, could have had the Virginia job that would have been worth $3 million a year to him. Instead, Smith will remain with the Gophers for $2 million annually, at least until the economy improves and Minnesota can upgrade his deal. "It's never been about money for me," Smith said. "My father never asked for a pay raise in his life. For me, it's about commitment. I've committed to Minnesota, and they have made commitments to me."

St. Paul Pioneer Press

Tubby Smith, Getty Images Tubby Smith, Getty Images
April 2, 2009  07:15 AM ET

Tubbs turns down an additional cool mil 'cause daddy never asked for a raise? Anyone really buying into that?

April 2, 2009  08:07 AM ET

Nope! More like he's waiting for a better job than UVA ...

April 2, 2009  08:09 AM ET

He's got a better shot at competing for a title with Minnesota and the Big Ten than he does with Virginia in the ACC. Plus maybe he's being loyal to Minnesota seeing as he was "damaged goods" after being ousted at Kentucky and Minnesota hired him when few big schools would even consider him. I could see if he'd left for the Arizona job but not Virginia.

April 2, 2009  08:16 AM ET

I believe it.....Tubby has never done anything for me not to....

April 2, 2009  08:23 AM ET

would have liked to see him add another competitive program to the ACC. still, think he would more likely go to arizona as well.

April 2, 2009  08:40 AM ET

UVA may have wanted Tubby, but they weren't throwing out $3 mill a year for a basketball coach. No way.

Heck, they're paying less to the new guy (Tony Bennett) from WSU than what Bama is paying Anthony Grant, and Grant was on the UVA wish-list.

April 2, 2009  10:18 AM ET

Obviously, nobody here "knows" him, but Smith seems like he's got some integrity, esp compared to his peers. I buy it...

Yes, $3 is more than $2, but these guys seem to be all about the "prestige" of a job, and I dont really see MN to UVA as an upgrade.

April 2, 2009  10:58 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Obviously, nobody here "knows" him, but Smith seems like he's got some integrity, esp compared to his peers. I buy it...Yes, $3 is more than $2, but these guys seem to be all about the "prestige" of a job, and I dont really see MN to UVA as an upgrade.

MN to VA not an upgrade? I just snarffed my coffee on that one.

"I don't want your 3 million, I got integrity and that pays the bills just fine" - Tubby Smith (not)

April 2, 2009  11:53 AM ET
QUOTE(#8):

MN to VA not an upgrade? I just snarffed my coffee on that one."I don't want your 3 million, I got integrity and that pays the bills just fine" - Tubby Smith (not)

I don't see UVA as a prestige job in College Basketball, no. As I said, obviously its more money, but I think he's got his sights set on a bigger job down the road.

I don't think that his ability to "pay his bills" is that much of a factor at this point.... Everyone wants more money, but I think top-tier coaches want prestige MORE than money, and UVA is NOT an elite coaching job.

April 2, 2009  12:08 PM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Obviously, nobody here "knows" him, but Smith seems like he's got some integrity, esp compared to his peers. I buy it...Yes, $3 is more than $2, but these guys seem to be all about the "prestige" of a job, and I dont really see MN to UVA as an upgrade.

Well I spent 3 days with him at a charity golf tourney several years ago so that certainly doesn't qualify me to "know" him but he is truly one of the nicest and most personable coaches you will ever meet. Kelvin Sampson was at this same tourney and he was a first class jerk. Go figure.

April 2, 2009  01:08 PM ET
QUOTE(#6):

UVA may have wanted Tubby, but they weren't throwing out $3 mill a year for a basketball coach. No way.Heck, they're paying less to the new guy (Tony Bennett) from WSU than what Bama is paying Anthony Grant, and Grant was on the UVA wish-list.

wish list??? maybe to some smart uva fans but not to the athletic dept. they never made a move for him. grant was ideal for the wahoo's. and littlepage went in a completely other direction. i think littlepage should be fired!!

April 2, 2009  01:36 PM ET

Maybe Tubby really likes ice fishing

April 2, 2009  03:16 PM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Tubbs turns down an additional cool mil 'cause daddy never asked for a raise? Anyone really buying into that?

I'm confused.

April 2, 2009  03:21 PM ET

I have met Tubby Smith on several occasions and met his parents once. If Tubby says that his father never asked for a raise and, based upon his father's role model, he is not going to ask for one at Minnesota, you can take it to the bank.

April 2, 2009  03:22 PM ET

I have met Tubby Smith on several occasions and met his parents once. If Coach Smith says that he is following his father's role model in not asking for a raise at Minnesota, you can take it to the bank.

April 2, 2009  03:34 PM ET
QUOTE(#9):

I don't see UVA as a prestige job in College Basketball, no. As I said, obviously its more money, but I think he's got his sights set on a bigger job down the road.I don't think that his ability to "pay his bills" is that much of a factor at this point.... Everyone wants more money, but I think top-tier coaches want prestige MORE than money, and UVA is NOT an elite coaching job.

He just didn't want to have his butt handed to him by coach k and williams

April 2, 2009  03:35 PM ET

Why would he go to the ACC and get is arse kicked every year? He can stay in Minnesota and play cream puffs in non-conference play and then win 8-10 games in conference and get an invtie to the Dance each year.

April 2, 2009  03:49 PM ET

A coach shows some loyality to his school and his players...and instead of praise, you people start kicking the guy in the balls. Give me a break, the guy has been a class act (even after KU) gave him the boot. Now only if some of the poster had half the class this guy has displayed over the years.

April 2, 2009  04:33 PM ET
QUOTE(#10):

Well I spent 3 days with him at a charity golf tourney several years ago so that certainly doesn't qualify me to "know" him but he is truly one of the nicest and most personable coaches you will ever meet.

Great story King.

This is what I love about blogs. Hearing from the people.

 
April 2, 2009  07:26 PM ET

don't get me wrong, Tubby is classy and a "nice" guy. Lets be real though, the reason he is staying in Minnesota is because "they have made commitments to me", meaning his son Saul will become head coach when he retires. Thats worth more than a million bucks to Tubby. Saul was a great point guard at UK and I'm sure he'll be a great coach at Minnesota.

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