Kentucky's Tubby Smith Resigns, Headed to Minnesota

Mar 22, 09:15 PM

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Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Tubby Smith resigned as head men's basketball coach of Kentucky and will be named the new head coach at the University of Minnesota at a 1 p.m. (et) news conference on Friday.

The 55-year-old Smith will replace Jim Molinari, who became the interim head coach of Minnesota when Dan Monson announced his resignation from the program on November 30.

Monson was in his eighth season with the Golden Gophers, who were off to a 2-5 start at the time of his resignation.

According to a report in Louisville, Kentucky's The Courier-Journal, Smith informed his players at Kentucky on Thursday that his new contract with Minnesota will pay him $2.5 million per year.

"Tubby has always put a priority on the growth of the student-athlete while representing the Commonwealth with class, and we thank him for that," Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said. "We wish him the very best at the University of Minnesota. They are getting a solid coach and a great person."

Smith has been the head coach at Kentucky for the last 10 seasons, compiling a record of 263-83. The Wildcats have also advanced to the NCAA Tournament every year with Smith on the bench and have made it to the Elite Eight four times during his tenure.

The last two seasons, the Wildcats were bounced from the tournament in the second round.

This past season, Kentucky ended the year with a 22-12 record and lost seven out of its last 11 games overall. The Wildcats season came to an end with a loss to Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 18.

In the 1997-98 season, Smith led the Wildcats to the National Championship in his first year as head coach.

Smith compiled 100 wins faster than any other coach at Kentucky except for Hall of Famer Adolph Rupp, reaching the plateau in 130 games.

03/22 21:04:23 ET