Alabama rumors include U's Smith

Last update: January 27, 2009 - 10:53 PM

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With the Gophers chasing their first NCAA tournament berth since 2005, it only makes sense that coach Tubby Smith is making news in Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- but not for reasons Gophers fans will appreciate.

Alabama coach Mark Gottfried resigned Monday, after a 12-7 start, 2-3 in the Southeastern Conference. And according to numerous sources, the powerful Alabama boosters who helped lure Nick Saban to become the football coach want Smith to come back to the SEC and rebuild a Crimson Tide basketball program, which reached the NCAA tournament from 2002 to 2006.

Persons close to Smith suggest the chances of Smith going to Alabama to coach in the conference where he spent 12 years at Georgia and Kentucky from 1995 to 2007 are slim.

That, however, didn't stop Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser from discussing Smith and the Alabama rumors on ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" on Tuesday.

Both Wilbon and Kornheiser said Smith has few reasons to leave Minnesota for Alabama. But rumors about Smith leaving for Arizona have been rampant ever since Lute Olson retired at the start of the season.

Smith, however, has never been one to talk about any coaching opportunities, so it's hard to say with certainty that he's not thinking about leaving, but many close to him expect him to stay at Minnesota.

MYRON P. MEDCALF