Tubby Smith is out as the Memphis Tigers head basketball coach, fired by the University of Memphis.
After days of assumption, Local 24 Sports Director Doc Holliday learned what ultimately led to the decision.
After two seasons and lots of rumors, Tubby Smith is out as head basketball coach. Smith just finishing his second season as the Tigers head coach, where he led the U of M to its first 20-win season in 4 years.
But this decision is really not about wins and losses. It’s about fans in the stands and financial contributions. One of the major problems was that no one was going to FedExForum to watch the games. The Tigers averaged just over 6,000 fans per home game, the lowest average in 48 years. And the giving is down.
Now everyone is looking at former Tigers star Penny Hardaway, who is expected to be the next head coach for the team.
But as of right now, he’s coaching East at the state tournament. The Mustangs are trying to win their third state championship.
