WAVE 3 - Louisville, KYFormer Wildcat coach finding his niche in the north

Former Wildcat coach finding his niche in the north

By Connie Leonard

LOUISVILLE (WAVE) -- He's always been considered one of the top coaches in college basketball. In January 2008, Orlando "Tubby" Smith got his 400th career win. But when criticism of his recruiting abilities kept rearing its ugly head at the University of Kentucky, Smith headed north for a needed change of climate. Like any coach, Smith still faces the pressure to win. But without all the demands and expectations at Kentucky, he seems to be doing it from a much happier place. The coach sat down with WAVE 3's Connie Leonard to talk about his big blue departure to Minnesota.

Historic Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus is a place where the dream of a round ball restoration had nearly fallen off the maroon and gold radar until March 23rd. These days, it seems everyone in the Twin Cities is on Tubby time.

From the Big Ten Network documentary on his first season as the head Golden Gopher to a huge increase in season ticket sales, the excitement and hoopla surrounding Tubby Smith is a far cry from the pressure cooker he left in Lexington. The national championship coach said goodbye to the prestige, tradition and madness that is Kentucky basketball -- one of the most sought after and grueling jobs in college sports. 

"Even the best of coaches leave, die, get fired," Smith told WAVE 3 "So, it's going to happen if you stay in this business long enough." 

Smith's defection wasn't as much of a surprise as where he landed. Minnesota -- a program that is still digging out from a ten year old cheating scandal. Last season, the Gophers didn't have a single win in February or March. They were desperate for a coach of Smith's caliber and Minnesota was his out.

"It's more important to be wanted." Smith said.  "At that time, I felt like, I needed that in my life a good challenge for me and a change." 

Jim Souhan, a sports columnist for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis says of Smith's move from UK to Minnesota, "It's a perfect situation for him because he is a proven coach and this is a place that's been so down."

But, what a change! Smith isn't the only game in town anymore. He's forced to share the spotlight with the pros. Most sports fans are downtown watching the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves or the NHL's Wild. And the facilities are not the same Smith had at Kentucky. Smith's team practices where they play. Affectionately known as "The Barn," it's no Rupp Arena. It's old, outdated and only seats about half as many people. But any night there's a home game with Tubby in charge, it's guaranteed to be a real barn burner. 

Of the renewed spirit inside the barn, Smith said, "One of the things they wanted us to bring to Minnesota is the mentality of Kentucky." 

The former Wildcat is doing just that. In a few short months, he's landed a good recruiting class and has already won more games than the Gopher's entire season last year, thanks to some talented and familiar assistants. His son Saul Smith and former University of Louisville assistant coach Vince Taylor are now joining Smith on the sidelines. 

"When I had the opportunity to coach with him and for him, I jumped on it," Taylor said.

Tubby is already working small miracles with the guys he inherited by convincing them they can win. 

"A lot of it is just the fact that they are putting out so much effort," Souhan said of the team he writes about. "They're able to press, they're able to play defense and it's keeping them in games against teams that are better than they are." 

That inspired play led to the first sellout crowd in more than two years as the Gophers played a talented Indiana team to the bitter end. IU fan Steve Querry commented on Smith's new job, "I think he's a great coach and a good draw for this school." 

Louisville native Terry Thomas and his son Lou were addicted to Kentucky and Louisville basketball before moving to Minnesota. Thomas said he didn't have season tickets until Tubby Smith came to town.

"I didn't. I was always tempted, but when Tubby became coach that was kind of the straw that broke the camel's back, so, I said I gotta do it." 

With wife Donna at his side, Coach Smith gave WAVE 3 a tour of his new office where Minnesota fans pop in from time to time to wish him well. Always the gentleman, Smith still calls Kentucky fans the greatest fans in the world. Contending even the most critical factions did not force his decision. 

"Everybody wants to win and everybody wants to be a part of that, everybody," Smith said. "They want to help and that's the way I used to look at it at Kentucky." 

But Smith hinted the criticism may have taken its toll on those closest to him. 

"It's who they affect. Are they affecting your family? Are they affecting your superiors?" He said. "That's where it affects most coaches and that's where it trickles down."

Smith says he's caught the Cats and their new coach on TV a few times. As for those UK fans already questioning Billy Gillispie's abilities, Smith answered, "The Kentucky basketball program is bigger than any coach that's ever been there or will be there." he continued, "Billy Gillispie has won everywhere he's been and he'll win at Kentucky." 

Smith believes the Wildcats are playing great right now considering all the injuries they've been dealt this season.

As for what may be Smith's biggest adjustment - it's those freezing temperatures in Minnesota.  He tells WAVE 3, it's not a problem because he has a heated garage.

"That's what they tell us to say," joked Vince Taylor. "But, that cold wind sure wakes us up for those morning practices!" 

Smith laughed and said, "It does get a little nippy."

Online Reporter:  Connie Leonard

Online Producer: Charles Gazaway