CONCERNED FANS FOR
RESPONSE TO COLUMN BY RICK BENTLEY Kentucky/Louisville rivalry has cooled off over the past 20 years …Tomorrow's game is also hindered by the fact that it's the first time the teams will play in a week that not only is neither in the AP Top 25, but also neither got a single, solitary vote. But it's still Kentucky/Louisville. It's still the biggest rivalry in the Bluegrass. It's still Tubby vs. Pitino, the so-called second-coming-turned-Judas. …
READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE AN OPEN LETTER TO Mr.BENTLEY Dear Mr. Bentley, Concerned Fans For UK Basketball read your December 15, 2006 column with interest. Your summary of the UK-UL rivalry was interesting and informative. However, Concerned Fans object strongly to your characterization that the fans who have sadly concluded that Tubby Smith is not the right person to lead the UK Basketball program somehow have "stabbed him in the back." We are pleased to know that the fact of our concerns has reached you; however, it seems clear that you have not become familiar with the basis for our conclusions or the actions that Concerned Fans have taken to express our discontent. Concerned Fans have notified Mr. Mitch Barnhart and Dr. Lee Todd that no one is "too good to fire" when he fails to perform the job for which he is handsomely paid. In Tubby Smith's case, he is the highest paid college basketball coach in the history of the game, and he is paid to keep the UK program at the top of the heap. However, Tubby Smith has proclaimed with great pleasure that he has the UK program exactly where he wants it, off the radar screen, below public view and away from the scrutiny of fans and press. UK is no longer in the top 25, if fact no longer among the obscure list of wannabe's "receiving votes" in these polls. Yes, Tubby Smith has taken UK basketball completely off the radar screen. However, Tubby Smith is paid to do otherwise.
There is no valid reason why Tubby Smith, or any coach who fails to perform these clear and proper job duties as the UK Head Basketball coach is "too good to fire." Any reasons that Mr. Barnhart, Dr. Todd, or any member of the press offer in defense of this version requires a response. Now for Tubby Smith's record of accomplishments.
If you consider reciting Tubby Smith's record in this manner as "stabbing him in the back" then we will simply have to agree to disagree, because Tubby's job performance is relevant and appropriate for public discussion. Richard Cheeks Copyright 2006 |