The University of Minnesota and basketball coach Tubby Smith are in the process of ironing our a contract extension, according to the Star Tribune.
Norwood Teague, who took over as athletic director after former AD Joel Maturi stepped down at the end of June, told the Star Tribune that is working to extend Smith's tenure with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Teague said that they two sides are "making progress," adding:
"I think we're pretty far down the road on that and I've felt good about that, getting him solidified there and completing that process," Teague said. "It's not done yet, but hopefully it's something that will be done very soon."
Smith has two more years on the seven-year contract he signed in 2007. He is slated to make $1.75 million per year.
The Star Tribune posits that Minnesota's run to last season's NIT championship game "boosted Smith's stock among some."
Teague has a good track record with basketball coaches. Coming from VCU, he hired -- and maybe even more impressively, retained -- basketball coach Shaka Smart.
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