Tubby Smith, Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball coach, has responded to rumors that he would replace a hypothetically bought-out Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Hewitt. To the Minnesapolis Star-Tribune’s Sid Hartman, Smith said:
Why would I be interested in that job? I’m not going anywhere. My wife likes it here, I like it here, and I’m going to finish my career here.
Smith, as you may recall, coached the Georgia Bulldogs from 1995 to 1997 before moving along to the Kentucky Wildcats. He also nabbed Ralph Sampson III from the Peach State, so he clearly still effectively works the area despite coaching in almost-Canada.
He was one of the best coaches the Dawgs ever had, despite his short time in Athens. He led Georgia to two straight 20-win seasons, the first to do so at UGA, and a Sweet 16 trip.
Five of his seven coaching stops during his career have been in the Southeast. He’s been at Minnesota since 2007.