[McDunkin]

Tubby Smith is coming to Texas Tech to try to turn around another wayward program.

Smith agreed to terms Monday with Texas Tech to be its next coach, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not been made.

He will take over for interim coach Chris Walker, who went 11-20 this season and 3-15 in Big 12 play. The program is still reeling from Billy Gillispie’s volatile one-year tenure, which ended when he resigned in September.

Smith was fired by Minnesota last week after six seasons. He led them to three NCAA tournaments and this year delivered the program’s first tourney win – over sixth-seeded UCLA – since 1997. He went 124-81 (.610), winning 20 games five times. But he never finished higher than sixth in the Big Ten, going just 46-62 in conference play, prompting Minnesota athletic director Norwood Teague to oust him.

He becomes the fourth person to lead Texas Tech in as many seasons.

Texas Tech fans had pinned their basketball hopes on Gillispie after he’d turned around two other flagging programs in the state – UTEP and Texas A&M – and they hoped he would do the same for the Red Raiders. But he more resembled the guy who was fired at Kentucky, a hard-driving coach who had a difficult time connecting with the players he inherited. Several complained to the administration about how Gillispie treated them, there were some secondary NCAA violations for exceeding practice times and it all led to the Red Raiders finishing 8-23 and winning just one Big 12 game in 2011-12 – the program’s worst season since 1990-91.

Gillispie stepped down in September, citing health reasons. Walker, an assistant at several schools for 17 years, led Texas Tech to an improved season but the Houston native’s lack of experience as a head coach likely worked against him.

Smith won a national title and five Southeastern Conference championships with Kentucky before the demanding Wildcat faithful pushed him to leave for Minnesota in 2007. Smith, who was replaced at Kentucky by Gillispie, has also taken Tulsa and Georgia to the round of 16, establishing a reputation as a program builder who could succeed in places that haven’t historically been on the college basketball map.

Now he’ll try to do it one more time at Texas Tech.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/01/3317637/apnewsbreak-texas-tech-tubby-smith.html

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/01/3317637/apnewsbreak-texas-tech-tubby-smith.html#storylink=cpy

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

this guy doesnt get the respect as alot of coaches that have a similar resume…..

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I really think UCLA should have at least taken a look at him, I really believe in Tubby for some reason

[SubZeroParticipant]

I’ve been a UK fan all my life, and I’ve always been a huge Tubby fan and was upset when we basically kicked him out. I hope he can turn that Tech team around

[usfballerParticipant]

Class act coach who will find a way to win you 20 games a year come hell or high water. Also one of only 11 active coaches with a national title. Minnesota screwed the pooch on this one. No way they find a better coach unless they get lucky on an unknown assistant who blows up ala Mark Few, Brad Stevens or Shaka Smart. That they actually thought they could lure one of them is exactly what is wrong with college athletics. On an aside, that’s one reason I’ve been rooting for Florida State lately. Their commitment to Leonard Hamilton and they way he runs his program is admirable in this day in age. Good luck at Tech Tubby, the Big Ten already misses u.

[surveParticipant]

great job by Texas Tech. seems like they are serious about their program, which I cant say the same for a lot of teams out there.

[NYFinest12Participant]

I have faith in Tubby to turn this program around especially if they can get a commitment from Keith Frazier who I think is one of the better 2 guards in this recruiting class look out for him in the McDonald’s All American game to just get buckets

[SiggyParticipant]

Honestly, I think he could’ve gotten a better job.

[surveParticipant]

he could have, definitely. but some guys dont want to sit around and wait. if he were to wait around and the right job didnt come along he likely wouldve been out next year…and he probably didnt want that.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

It might look like the wrong situation to go to,but Tubby has a reputation for turning programs around really quick……..So Tubby looks at his job as another challenge……

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