Who will be the next Gophers coach?

It was just last week the Gophers were to face UCLA in the second round of the NCAA tourney. It was said that both coaches were coaching for their futures. Did we as fans really know this would really happen if both teams would eventually lose?

The Gophers knock out UCLA and then on Sunday Bruins coach Ben Howland was fired after 10 seasons.

Sunday the Gophers get eliminated by the Florida Gators and on Monday Gophers coach Tubby Smith’s job was lost.

It is sad in today’s world when anybody in any job loses their job. I know it is part of life and people do move on. I cannot say I was shocked as it seems whether you are reading a paper or watching TV the subject is brought up.

It is hard to believe as I repeat myself from an earlier blog that the Gophers were at one time number 8 in the nation and falling all the way to 9^th in the Big Ten Conference. The last chapter of the book is now final as we as Gopher fans say goodbye to Tubby. I wish him the best and thank him for his 6 years.

His overall success of a .610 winning record was nice but the 46-62 record in Big Ten is troubling. I look at this year’s Sweet 16 and see 25 percent of the field is Big Ten teams with Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Indiana remain.

Other than Michigan, Indiana it seems Ohio State and Michigan State always seem to get deep in the tourney.

The next Gopher coach will have their work cut out because the Big Ten conference is top notch maybe one of the top ones in the country depending on who you talk to.

My hope is the AD director Teague does move quickly and get a guy in place. This state has players that need to stay put such as Apple Valley Tyus Jones although a junior we cannot let this kid out of the state. I would love to see in 2 years a backcourt of Andre Holllins who would be a senior and Jones, a freshman working as the guard combo.

It’s a tough day in Minnesota sports with the Tubby Smith firing today with people that had onions either way about him.

The fun now for fans to role play as AD and see who would you hire?

The pressure in on Teague but in listening to his press conference he seems to have an idea of what he wants to do. The old saying only time will tell.

My choice as roll playing as AD would be Flip Saunders. That would be awesome to have an alumni come back and take charge. I know it is slim to no chance but it is my hope.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick