College basketball notebook: Smith era over in Memphis

Memphis ended a week-plus of speculation and fired head coach Tubby Smith on Wednesday.

Smith, 66, is out after just two years with the Tigers, going 40-26 over that span. In 27 seasons as a head coach, Smith has a 597-302 record and one national championship to his credit.

He is still owed $10 million on his contract, which was for five years.

“After considerable deliberations and in the best financial interest of the University of Memphis, an agreement of separation with Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tubby Smith has been reached. Details are to be finalized, and no further comment will be offered,” a statement from the athletic department read.

–Thad Matta won’t be the next coach for the Georgia Bulldogs. The former Ohio State coach was wooed by the Bulldogs, and even offered a contract, but has pulled his name from consideration, according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.

“It was the most difficult decision because Georgia is a tremendous opportunity for a coach to build a great program,” Matta said, per ESPN. “Unfortunately, I just don’t feel that I am completely ready at this point to give (Georgia athletics director) Greg McGarity and the University of Georgia what they deserve. It’s truly a special place and he is a tremendous leader I would have loved to work for.”

Matta, who took last season off after mutually agreeing to part ways with the Buckeyes, also reportedly interviewed with Ole Miss. He has a 439-154 career record, with stints at Butler and Xavier also.

–Former Indiana coach Tom Crean met with Pittsburgh officials to discuss the school’s coaching vacancy, ESPN reported.

Crean is looking to get back into coaching after sitting out the 2017-18 season and working as an analyst for ESPN. The 51-year-old Crean is reportedly also in the mix for the Georgia opening.

Crean was fired by Indiana after an 18-16 record in 2016-17. He was 166-135 with four NCAA Tournament appearances in nine seasons with the Hoosiers. Crean is 356-231 in 18 overall seasons, including a 190-96 mark in nine seasons at Marquette.

–Middle Tennessee coach Kermit Davis will be named head coach of Ole Miss, replacing Andy Kennedy.

According to multiple reports, Davis agreed to replace Kennedy and become coach of the Rebels. The official announcement is expected this week.

Davis, 58, has coached Middle Tennessee since 2002 and has at least 24 victories in six of his last seven seasons. The Blue Raiders won NCAA Tournament games in 2016 and 2017.

–Field Level Media