TUBBY SMITH AGREES TO CONTRACT EXTENSION THROUGH THE 2016-2017 BASKETBALL SEASON

The following is from a media release from the University of Minnesota regarding the signing of Tubby Smith's contract extension.

"University of Minnesota director of athletics Norwood Teague announced today that head men’s basketball coach Tubby Smith has agreed to terms on a contract extension through the 2016-17 season.

“I am pleased to announce that Coach Smith and Gopher Athletics have agreed on a contract extension,” Teague said. “Tubby took over our program at a difficult time and quickly got it headed back in the right direction, both athletically and academically. Since then, Gopher basketball has continued to make strides under his leadership with four postseason appearances, including last year’s exciting run to the NIT tile game. I look forward to working with Coach Smith into the future to help lift Gopher basketball to even greater heights.”

Smith and the Gophers are coming off of a 23-win season and an appearance in the 2012 NIT Championship game.  The 23 wins are the most at Minnesota since the 1989-90 team also won 23 games.

“We are excited about the extension and know that the University of Minnesota is the right place for us,” said Smith. “I believe that we can get the job done here. The commitment from the university is there to continue to grow the program and I am looking forward to being a part of that. I appreciate the faith that Norwood Teague and President Kaler have in our staff and what we are trying to accomplish here. I am focused on reaching our full potential as a program. That is why we came here five years ago and it is still our goal.”

Smith, who has led Minnesota to two NCAA berths and two NIT appearances his five seasons, will enter the 2012-13 season with a record of 103-68 and currently sits with the fourth-highest winning percentage in program history. His 103 victories are the most in the first five years of a coaching tenure in school history. He won his 100th game in Gold Country against La Salle in the opening round of the NIT to become one of only eight coaches in Minnesota history to amass 100 wins.

Smith’s overall record in 21 seasons as a head men’s basketball coach is 490-213."