AP: Tubby Smith to be Texas Tech Head Basketball Coach

According to anonymous sources of the Associated Press, Texas Tech has hired former Tubby Smith to be the next men's head basketball coach:

A person with knowledge of the deal says Texas Tech agreed to terms Monday with Smith on a contract to be its next coach. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not been made.

Smith was recently terminated from Minnesota after leading this team to a record of 124-81 (.610) with a conference winning percentage of 46-62 (.426).

The Texas Tech fanbase has been torn over the possibility of hiring Smith versus retaining up-and-coming Chris Walker, who led Texas Tech in the face of adversity this year after Texas Tech and Billy Clyde Gillispie parted ways prior to the season. Many Texas Tech fans were appreciative of Walker's upside in having 4-star and 5-star players consider Texas Tech and his incredibly positive attitude through what was a very rough season.

Texas Tech's coaching search has left quite a few coaching candidates that have turned down the job, including New Mexico's Steve Alford, Indiana's assistant coach Steve McClain, New Mexico State's Marvin Menzies, Oral Roberts' Scott Sutton, Southern Illinois' Barry Hinson, Louisiana Tech's Michael White and Southern Mississippi's Donnie Tyndall.

Smith has won twenty or more games all but five times in his twenty-three year coaching career, which included stops at Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky and Minnesota. Texas Tech has not won twenty games since the 2006-2007 season, which was Bob Knight's last full season as Texas Tech's head coach.