Tubbs gone?

[SMU Football Blog]

Don't panic on that. According to Hoopville, there are several openings. That isn't an issue.

UAB has an opening, but they look like they may hire Mike Davis any day now.

[Hoop Fan]

this is disgraceful. there better be a big scandal to justfify this kind of hatchet job. I dont care what the story is, Max Williams deserves no ones respect. At best he is a snitch. The way this looks, he might have even purposely set up Tubbs. Grandpa, you ougtta be ashamed of yourself and your grandson should move on somewhere else.

[Pony_Fan]

Don't panic on that. According to Hoopville, there are several openings. That isn't an issue.

UAB has an opening, but they look like they may hire Mike Davis any day now.

whatever, i don't feel comfortable getting in line for coaches, this is SMU we are talking about that already has a bad rep.

[Cheesesteak]

Tubbs' status at SMU in jeopardy

08:27 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 5, 2006
By CALVIN WATKINS / Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Jimmy Tubbs’ job status as the SMU men’s basketball coach is in jeopardy.

Tubbs met with outgoing athletic director Jim Copeland for more than an hour Wednesday to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation and the coach’s future.

Tubbs, who just completed the second season of a four-year contract, has been seeking a contract extension. Tubbs is 27-30 in two seasons. The Mustangs finished the season 13-16 and lost in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA tournament.

“No decision has been made,” Copeland said about Tubbs’ future. “I’m not going to talk about personnel matters until necessary.”

Tubbs’ attorney, Michael Pegues, and SMU officials discussed a potential buyout of the coach’s contract. The deal could be finalized Friday.

Any coach at SMU can be terminated without financial compensation if it’s proven that he or she knowingly committed an NCAA rules violation.

Sources said Tubbs didn’t commit any major rules violations.

Copeland, who returned to work full-time this week after recovering from surgery to remove a kidney, said the investigation “has a ways to go” before it’s concluded.

Sources said Tubbs gave less than a cup of laundry detergent to freshman center Bamba Fall. In addition, school officials said Tubbs conducted practice for more than the NCAA mandated 20 hours per week.

Tubbs’ phone records are being investigated to determine if he called prospective recruits more than the NCAA allows.

NCAA officials have talked to numerous prospects who were recruited by SMU.

Tubbs referred all questions to his attorney.

“Coach Tubbs is a big supporter of SMU,” Pegues said. “He is recruiting for the future of SMU and is excited about the players coming back.”

The investigation started in February when Max Williams, the grandfather of current player Matt Williams, told SMU officials Tubbs received money from an outside source to pay for meals.

Tubbs, according to sources, did buy hamburgers out of his own pocket for Brian Morris and Fall. NCAA rules indicate an infrequent meal is permissible.

The timing of the investigation comes at a difficult time for the SMU program.

Copeland is retiring on May 31, and new athletic director Steve Orsini doesn’t start until June 1. Copeland said he’s in communication with Orsini.

Also, the late signing period for men’s basketball is April 12 though May 17. SMU has two scholarships to offer and Tubbs is in the mix for several prospective recruits.

If Tubbs is released before then, recruiting will be difficult until a new coach is hired.

Tubbs hasn’t spoken with his players or assistant coaches about his job status.

[91Stang]

OK, I realize I'm a little far-removed from the campus, but is this serious? Laundry detergent and a hamburger?

[RGV Pony]

Okay. We're screwed...Either way.

A) Least likely: storm blows over and Tubbs stays. Recruits stay away (I mean, wouldn't you after the NCAA called you about the coach's behavior toward you?) and we're screwed.

B) More likely: Tubbs is gone. No signees. No coach. No recruiting going on. We're screwed.

Unbelievable. I really, really think B) is more likely after seeing it IN PRINT that a buyout was discussed.

Maybe Orsini can lure Bobby Cremins out of retirement. Someone call Pat Kennedy. Please not Melvin Watkins. Bob Hoffman? The guy ASU canned? Rod Barnes?

Oh, and isn't it time PonyFans.com gives Maxwell and/or Tubbs an award? Does this not constitute the ultimate BURGER WARS?

[smupony94]

Does SMU really care about basketball? Not a jab at the 1000 that shows up no matter what. I admit I am a football and soccer fan. I went to a few basketball games.

[SMUguy]

Could you imagine Bobby Cremins? Anyone know how old he is? (It's hard to tell, since he had white hair by the time he was in junior high.) Could he pull a Mike Price/George O'Leary-style turnaround?

There's been speculation here that Max Williams is behind this whole Tubbs thing, and IF that's the case, that's absolutely nauseating. SMU is his alma mater. I don't KNOW that it's true, and I hope to hell it's not. Isn't he supposed to be a big donor (read: practice facility?) IF that's the case, I don't want his money. Orsini is supposed to be a fund-raising fool, so I'll trust him to raise the cash for the facility.

IF that's true, then the guy I really feel bad for is Matt Williams. He might be terrific and he might be horrible, and nobody will judge him objectively if his grandfather gets Coach Tubbs fired. I bet Matt is a good kid, and I hope he is a good player, too. I just hope his grandfather isn't butting in as much as some seem to think.

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

The guy ASU canned?

I think you mean Rob Evans. Keep an eye on this name. Remember...he was the B-Ball coach at Ole' Miss when Turner was there. I wouldn't be surprised if that name starts to make the rounds as a replacement...assuming of course that Tubbs is fired or bought out.

[PonyPride]

Coach Tubbs is still the coach. Whether we think he's the second coming of John Wooden or the second coming of Neil Dougherty doesn't matter. If he gets canned over detergent and a burger, then he's getting shafted.

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Coach Tubbs is still our coach. Whether we think he's the second coming of John Wooden or the second coming of Neil Dougherty doesn't matter. If he gets canned over detergent and a burger, then he's getting shafted.

This whole situation just stinks. If there is more to it, then maybe I'll change my opinion but based off what the article indicates, this is plain wrong. Granted, I am not a Tubbs sympathizer but I can't see how you can drag the man through the wringer like this without the intent of running him off. This is just plain sorry.

[No Quarter]

I agree with P_A_M_Rolex. Unreal this is happening. Incredible that Tubbs did not get five years at the get-go.

[PonySnob]

What does it say about our players that if they practiced more than they were supposed to, the team still looked that bad?

[McClown27]

If he is gone, Bobby Gonzales is the first call. I would also call Ruland and all those Missouri Conference coaches. CUSA is a promotion with Memphis getting a #1 seed.

Evans wouldn't be bad either.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

I have not been impressed by Tubbs so far but this is not right. Jimmy is a good man and this is a witchhunt. Atleast have the stones to come out and say our team sucks and we don't see it getting better under your watch. Be a man!
The only decisions Copeland should be making is if he is going to Bubba's or Jacks for lunch.