Ugly loss to unranked Northwestern has fans calling for Tubby’s head

Jan 9, 2013; Champaign, IL, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Tubby Smith during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall. Minnesota defeated Illinois 84-67. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

Coaches are the ultimate scapegoat — even if your team is ranked in the top 15, apparently. Unless your name is Coach K, no head coach is ever safe from fans calling for the immediate firing after an ugly loss.

Minnesota’s Wednesday night loss to an unranked Northwestern team had the Twitter-sphere buzzing with fans calling for Tubby Smith’s firing.

Given, this isn’t anything new, especially following a few years of poor play. But considering how the season had started and how the Gophers are now taking a three-game losing streak to Madison for a Saturday matinee, some people just want change.

Warning: Some tweets are more eloquent than others.

I’ve defended Tubby Smith for two years.If this thing goes south this season… he NEEDS to be fired. #Gophers

— Seth Kaplan (@Seth_Kaplan) January 24, 2013

5:00am observations: (frigid air makes you think clearly)* #TubbySmith the #Hamline job is open. Please apply NOW! #Gophers

— Lance Berwald (@LanceBerwald) January 24, 2013

Fire Tubby Smith.

— Matt Gibart (@MGIBART) January 24, 2013

And #gophers fans’ hate-love-hate relationship with Tubby Smith continues.

— Casey Common (@CaseyCommon) January 24, 2013

Tubby Smith, its time for you to go collect retirement. #Gophers

— SotaSportsGuy (@SotaSportsGuy) January 24, 2013

Fire Tubby Smith. No seriously, how can one coach a team with this much talent so poorly? Obviously you pull the guy with 4 fouls.

— William McDowell (@WillGMcD) January 24, 2013

@goldandgopher his job is to motivate to ensure laziness isnt an issue.Love tubby,but enough is enough

— Aaron (@aaroniverson) January 24, 2013