Head Coach Tubby Smith
On David Hobbs:
“Dave will be responsible for player development. He will be involved with daily individual workouts with theplayers, as well as other responsibilities around the office. Dave comes from Alabama where he had a greatcareer, and he brings a lot of expertise, a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience. Having worked as anassistant coach under Wimp Sanderson and running their program, I know he has the ability and will bring a lotto our program. Dave and I worked for six years at Virginia Commonwealth University, so were both oldgraybeards from way back. Were excited to have Dave a part of the program.”
“Having been a coach before, he understands how programs operate. He understands the level of intensityrequired for our players to improve every day. We both came up the same way, through high school coaching,then as assistants at the Division I level. So we cut our teeth the same, learning how to do it the right way. Hebrings a knowledge of the SEC. He has developed some outstanding players over the years, guys like RobertHorry, Jason Caffey, Latrell Sprewell and Antonio McDyess.”
On Reggie Hanson:
“Reggie Hanson brings a lot of uniqueness to our program having played here. He understands the systembecause we play a style similar to the one he played. Reggie has been playing in Japan the past few years as aprofessional. Thats an element that all our players aspire to be. He will communicate and be involved on adaily basis with our players. He cannot do on the court coaching. Reggie wanted to get into this profession andI think this is a wonderful opportunity for him to learn from a lot of experienced people we have on our staff.Reggie can recruit on campus. He will be involved in our players well-being. He will be the liaison foracademics with the staff in CATS and Sandy Bell in compliance.”
“We have an award that is named after Reggie Hanson. We teach our players to hustle and work hard. Whenwe had the problems and we were going through the probation, he had a chance to leave, but he chose to stay.We are better off because of that. You can see all those qualities. Because he has played and coached inJapan, he will do well. And he wants to be a coach. That is a big key. I was looking for opportunities for a guylike Reggie. He brings youthfulness to the staff that we need.”
On the importance of being familiar with Hanson and Hobbs:
“Its always helpful. A big key in the search was that I will be gone all of September. Thats a critical time forplayer development and individual workouts. Dave will be extensively involved with that. With George andMike being on the road in September, it was critical I bring in someone I know and trust, someone whounderstands what needs to be done. Reggie can help us in a lot of areas. He can help communicate with theplayers. Sometimes you need a buffer between ole Coach Smith and the players. I am real excited to havethese guys on board. It elevates our program, and keeps us on track and focused on the future, as well as thepresent.”
On making time to keep in touch with coaching staff while at the Olympics:
“Ill have to have time, because thats my No. 1 job, to get the Kentucky Wildcats ready to play. We have anunbelievable schedule this year. Well communicate by phone. One of the things we can do is videotape theindividual workouts so I can stay abreast of how each player is developing. Ill probably be calling players on aregular basis. That is why I have a good staff. I can trust these guys. They have done an outstanding job in thepast. There is no reason why Reggie Hanson and David Hobbs wont do a great job as well.
Assistant Coach David Hobbs
“When I was out of coaching, I had a lot of people ask me if I would ever consider getting back in at theassistant coaching level. I told them that three things would have to be in place before I would do that. First, itdepended on who the coach was. Secondly, I would consider the kind of school and its reputation. Lastly, Iwould have to consider the league in which the school played. That was my criteria, and at Kentucky all thosethings are in place. Tubby is a great guy, and I have so much respect for him as a coach. Kentucky is a fineschool with great tradition that plays in a great league.”
“Im excited about being here and about the future of this program. Someone told me yesterday that Ive cometo the Mecca of college basketball. People have a passion of Kentucky basketball. Im excited about theopportunity. I understand the pressures of such a high profile program, and Im ready.”
“I dont know what year it was, but when I met Tubby he didnt have any gray hair. Im sure I did though.We worked together at Virginia Commonwealth under J.D. Barnett and that was quite a bonding experience.J.D. was a tough guy, and on occasion it was like a hurricane coming through our office. Tubby was alwayssuch a hard worker. Back then, there were no restrictions on how long you could be on the road recruiting, soTubby was always gone. I dont think I really got to know him until our third year there.”
“At VCU, I got the chance to know Tubby really well. We really bonded with our experiences there. We put inlong hours together, watched each other work, knew each others families and saw each other socially. Overthe years, weve kept in touch. If anything, our respect for each other increased. Im comfortable with him asa coach and a person.”
“Windows of opportunity like this one come and go. If you dont grab on to them, theyre gone.”
On his familiarity with the current team:
“I know the returning personnel fairly well. Kentucky is on television quite a bit, so Ive had the chance tofamiliarize myself with their style of play. I obviously dont know them as well as Coach Sutton or CoachFelton, but Im eager to learn more. I dont know much about the new guys that are coming in, but Imlooking forward to getting the chance to work with them. “
Administrative Assistant Reggie Hanson
“I would first like to take the opportunity to thank Coach Smith for this opportunity. Im very excited andenthusiastic about the chance to come home to my alma mater. This is a career I set out for myself, and this isa great chance to come home and get my feet wet. This will give me the chance to work on my organizationaland communication skills. I play with the players every summer. They know me and Im very familiar withthem. Im very excited about my role within the program.”
“Ive been at UK during its worst times with the probation, and then at some of the best times when we beganto turn the program around. Playing overseas, Ive had my ups and downs. Thats what I can show theseplayersdedication, sacrifice and commitment.”
“When I was here under Coach Pitino, it was just me. I took quite a beating because he knew I could take it.When a coach is on you a lot in practice, some players can take it and some cant. It helps to have someoneyou can turn to in those situations. Thats what I plan on being for these players.”
“Ive been a player and assistant coach in Japan, which is much different. Coach Smith has given me thisopportunity where I can learn when things go well and when they dont.”
On his time in Japan:
“The people in Japan are great. Ive really enjoyed working with them. In Japan, the key to a long, happy stayis to adapt to their culture. Im glad to be home, and I definitely wont miss those 20-hour flights.”
“A big key to my leaving Japan was the opportunity to start here at Kentucky. This is the only place I wouldgive up the money and the contract for. I realize I have a lot to learn. Lots of times in life you have to makesacrifices, but those sacrifices pay off in the end. I had the chance to go back, and I even had a contract on thetable. I could have played for five or six more seasons easily. Ive been bugging Coach Smith for a long time,and sometimes thats what you have to do. He was patient with me, and its turned out for the best.”
