There have been rumblings for several months regarding a contract extension for Gophers' coach Tubby Smith.

In today's media session, Smith addressed the stall – after all, many speculated that something would get done over the summer.

"Well I think with the new administration coming in, I think those are all things that are a part of it. That's really it. It's not like I don't have two more years," said Smith, who is in the fifth year of his initial seven-year deal. "I know pretty soon we'll get things done. I know there are a lot of things that have been on the backburner that we've got to get done, like a practice facility and everything else."

Smith made it clear he has no desire to leave the Gophers or the Twin Cities.

"We love it here and we enjoy it here. We've got a great group of kids. We've got a good nucleus to be where we need to be," he said.

Smith might be right about the timing – it's not like it's necessary to get something done right now – but his leverage hasn't been helped as his team has stumbled to an 0-4 Big Ten start.

A recent ESPN article listed Smith as one of 10 coaches that are "on the hot seat (or at least should be)." Four-plus years into Smith's tenure, a growing number of Gophers fans have started to wonder whether the former Kentucky coach – who was once deemed the savior of the program – is the right man for the job.

A few victories -- starting Thursday with a tough game at Indiana -- would ease a lot of minds.

"Obviously when you lose players that probably could have helped you – looking back at guys that are no longer here, that's where you lose some of that experience. That would have been beneficial at this juncture," Smith said. "But they're not – so you've got to find a way to get some experience from these guys."