Sometimes, it is all too easy to read between the lines. No matter how the athletic department advertised its “farewell” to Virginia basketball coach Dave Leitao, I cannot help but feel that a pink slip was involved.
In a move that was less “resignation” and more “your services are no longer needed,” it is my opinion that Craig Littlepage finally pulled the trigger.
Whether it was pressure from Virginia boosters, fans or from within, Littlepage sent a message that I read as a 10-18 record is just not good enough. No matter how good we looked toward the end of the season and no matter how much the players claim to like Leitao, Virginia basketball needs to move in a different direction.
But sending Leitao packing is only half the battle. The other half lies in finding a replacement. And a number of names have been swirling around Grounds.
There is one candidate, though, for whom Littlepage would be wise to make a serious bid: Tubby Smith.
No matter how much VCU coach Anthony Grant, Villanova coach Jay Wright or Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel may seem fit to command Virginia basketball, the favorite should be Smith.
The problem? He seems settled in his new home, Minnesota. In the 2006-07 season — the year before Smith went to Minnesota — the Gophers went 9-22 in their worst season in school history. Enter Smith. Enter a 42-25 record during his first two seasons. Enter a bid to the National Invitational Tournament in 2008 and a bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2009.
He is experienced, well-liked, well-known and energetic. And he has shown that he knows how to turn a struggling basketball program around.
But he has a strong allegiance to the Gophers. Prior to Minnesota’s game against Texas in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Smith is reported to have said, “It’s good to be wanted [at Virginia], but it’s more important to be needed. I feel like I’m not only wanted in Minnesota, but needed there as well.”
Well, coach Smith, I think it is safe to say that at Virginia, you are both wanted and needed, too.
And I do not think it is a stretch to say that the University can offer him just as much as he can offer us.
A big contract for a tier-one coach should be in order. Though we may not pay graduation speakers, God knows we pay our coaches. Al Groh makes almost $2 million a year. Leitao was paid $2 million to leave. With a little fundraising from big-ticket donors who are frustrated with a 10-18 season in a new arena, combined with the revenue from overpriced tickets and $5 sodas, we should have some room in the budget to give Smith an enticing offer.
But Virginia can offer Smith more than money — it can also give him an opportunity to coach in one of the nation’s elite conferences. At age 58, who knows exactly what Smith is looking for in his coaching career. Maybe the Big Ten is a good fit for him at this stage, but if he wants the chance to square off against some of the nation’s most skilled teams and match wits with the likes of Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams, then the ACC is the place to be.
Smith also has roots in Virginia: He is a former assistant coach of VCU; his wife’s family is from Richmond; and he is familiar with Littlepage.
Of course, this is a two-way street. Smith would bring buzz to Charlottesville with name recognition alone. As a coach, he is defense-oriented and methodical, a strategy that helped him win a championship with Kentucky in his first year with the team. Off the court, Smith is well-liked by his players and an ostensible fan favorite. Columnist Jerry Ratcliffe reported that Smith “makes a practice of going over and shaking hands with as many students in pre-game festivities as he can” and that in Minnesota, his “picture is up in every sports bar in town.” And it only took him two seasons.
Nothing could sound further from Leitao’s habits and outside perception. Maybe he was good inside the locker room, but to the fans, he stood stone-faced half the time and chewed out players the other half. He was combative with the media and even to the team’s training staff. Needless to say, he did little to drum up excitement about Virginia basketball.
Yes, winning is most important. But second on that list is the ability for the coach to connect with fans. If I wanted to watch a game during which I felt distanced and cut off from the players and coaches, I would go to the NBA. But as a student-fan, I want someone who is going to acknowledge the student section before each game. I want someone to whom the players will respond. I want someone to whom the donors will respond. I want someone that has a championship ring, a strong résumé and an even more impressive demeanor. Heck, I want someone who is going to give a little dance when his name is announced as he comes out of the team tunnel. Yes, he did.
Tubby Smith would bring excitement to Charlottesville like no coach has in years. He likely would attract recruits, and perhaps more importantly, he would attract donations from alumni pleased with the direction of the program.
Littlepage took the first step in sending the Virginia basketball program in a different direction. If he wants to make sure it is the right one, he would be wise to pursue Tubby.
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