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Today's Question Blog
Michael Olson

Do you agree with the decision to fire Tubby Smith?

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The University of Minnesota fired men's basketball coach Tubby Smith after he led the team to a better record than his recent predecessors. He will be given a buyout of more than $2.5 million. Today's Question: Do you agree with the decision to fire Tubby Smith?

Head coach Tubby Smith of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the game against the Florida Gators during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 24, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Background:

MPR News: Minnesota fired Tubby Smith on Monday, cutting ties with the veteran coach one day after the Golden Gophers lost to Florida in the NCAA tournament.

Athletics director Norwood Teague announced the decision Monday and said it was time for a "fresh set of eyes" on the program.

Smith was 124-81 (.610) in six seasons at Minnesota, helping to bring the program back to respectability and ramping up expectations for a team hit hard by an academic cheating scandal.

SB Nation: "Tubby Smith was fired by Minnesota Monday after doing better than his predecessors, not the first time a school has failed to appreciate the job the national championship-winner has done."

Sid Hartman writes in the Star Tribune: "A decision to fire Smith would mean at least a $2.5 million buyout and a long-term contract for a new coach. And if you pay a basketball coach big money, you better give your football coach Mr. Kill a salary at least equal to the basketball coach like most schools."