Tubby Smith hired at alma mater High Point

Tubby Smith is returning to his alma mater, becoming the new head coach at High Point. Smith graduated from the school in 1973, playing for head coached Bob Vaughn and J. D. Barnett during his four years there.

Smith became available earlier this month when he was fired from Memphis after just two years to make way for the hiring of Penny Hardaway. By far the most accomplished head coach that HPU has ever had, Smith won a National Championship with Kentucky in 1998 and is one of only two head coaches to lead five different programs to the NCAA Tournament.

The Panthers have not been to the Division I NCAA Tournament since moving up to the top level of competition in 1999. Previous head coach Scott Cherry did manage two NIT and two CIT berths during his tenure, winning or sharing four Big South titles. He and the school mutually parted ways in early March following two straight sub-.500 seasons.