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The Kentucky Wildcats retired former head coach Tubby Smith’s jersey in a ceremony Friday before their game against High Point.
Smith led the Wildcats to the 1998 NCAA Championship. Smith coached at Kentucky for 10 years from 1997-2007 and has since gone on to coach at other schools such as Minnesota, Memphis, Texas Tech, and now High Point.
Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart talked about honoring Smith via UK athletics.com.
“It is with great pride, enjoyment and a sense of excitement that we add one more name to the list of people who will see their names in the rafters of Rupp Arena and that’s Orlando ‘Tubby’ Smith.” “A national championship coach, National Coach of the Year, a gentleman who brought so much class, honor, and excellence to UK, Tubby is special and so deserving. We are looking forward to honoring Tubby and (wife) Donna, who contributed so much to the fabric of the University of Kentucky and we want to thank them in a special way.”
Kentucky head coach John Calipari, who is also a friend of Smith’s, approved of the school honoring their former head coach.
Kentucky basketball legend.
💙 @CoachTubbySmith pic.twitter.com/O5bg1oA5Ot
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 31, 2021
A message from #BBN:
We love you @CoachTubbySmith💙 pic.twitter.com/eAWoWny9WM
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) December 31, 2021
Tubby Smith’s speech just moments after having his jersey placed into the rafters of Rupp Arena. #BBN pic.twitter.com/lSBKlsi73o
— Cats Coverage 😼 (@CatsCoverage_) December 31, 2021
Veteran journalist Stacey Mickles graduated from the University of Alabama and covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
