Minnesota Fires Tubby Smith
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Tom Dahlin/Getty Images(MINNEAPOLIS) — The University of Minnesota has fired head men’s basketball coach Tubby Smith after six seasons with the team.
The news came just a day after the Gophers were eliminated by No. 3 Florida in the NCAA tournament’s Round of 32.
“Tubby has had a long and distinguished career and we feel it’s time for a fresh set of eyes for our student-athletes and our program in general,” Minnesota Athletic Director Norwood Teague said. “We are grateful to Tubby and his entire staff for their hard work and dedication to this university, our students and the entire Minnesota community.”
Smith signed a three-year extension with the university last July that was supposed to keep him with the team through the 2016-17 season. Instead, he had the four remaining years on his contract bought out.
The Gophers went 21-13 this past season, including 8-10 in the Big Ten Conference. His record through six seasons at Minnesota was 124-81.
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