As news of Tubby Smith’s decision to move to Memphis made it’s way across campus, Texas Tech students said they felt shocked, disappointed and abandoned.
“You get such a young team into the tournament and then leave us out high and dry almost, very, very disappointed,” Tech senior Adam Stovall said.
“I think there’s a sense of betrayal to it, Benedict Arnold type thing,” Tech sophomore Blake Lackey added.
Others were taking the news even harder.
“I cried,” Bryce Ambelang said. “I had a test about 45 minutes ago I’m pretty sure I failed it because of it.”
This year, Tubby Smith lead the Red Raiders to their most successful season in nearly a decade, including an appearance in the NCAA tournament. A few students said they’re actually happy for him.
“If that’s where he wants to be I have to respect that and I think we all should,” Tech sophomore James Maynard said. “I hope the best for him and I think that we still have a good opportunity for what we did last year to get a good basketball coach.”
While some students said they think Smith’s departure will hurt with recruiting, Maynard said Tech will still be able to get good players.
“He’s given us good opportunity to continue on and he’s left a tradition here and that’s what should be exciting and shouldn’t leave our minds,” Maynard said.
Others disagree about the future of the team.
“For Memphis fans, congratulations you’re getting a great coach, but for us it’s kind of in the toilet,” Stovall said.
“Despair, just pure, pure sadness and I mean it’s all gone, our hope as been ripped from our hearts,” Ambelang said.
