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Curtains
close on Billyball’s final act Men’s basketball head coach Billy Tubbs has been in this situation before.
He has coached final home games at other schools (Southwestern University, Lamar and Oklahoma). But, his final regular season at TCU is different. “I coached my final games at Lamar and Oklahoma before without any problems, but when I was coaching those games I did not know at the time that they were my last games,” Tubbs said. “On Saturday against ECU I know that at the time that is maybe my last game, but that doesn’t change much.” Tubbs said the game will not be as sentimental for him as some people may think. The Athletics Department will present Tubbs with a commemorative plaque before the start of the game. “It has been a great experience,” he said. “There have been a lot of happy times that come with all the losses and frustration. There are a lot more good times at TCU. But, I am not getting all sentimental and tear-eyed yet.” Tubbs was hired in 1994 by William Koehler, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, and former chancellor William Tucker. Throughout the years at TCU, Tubbs thanked Koehler for the opportunity to coach at TCU. “I can look back and I am appreciative of the opportunities and times at TCU,” Tubbs said. “But, we are not done yet for the season. Maybe in two or three weeks when the season is over and the smoke has cleared, I can look back at those times more carefully.” Tubbs said there are some things he would have wanted to change during his stint in Fort Worth. “There are some things that I would have liked to have done better,” Tubbs said. “I thought I had this program going in the right direction toward a national-caliber program. I am disappointed that I couldn’t keep that. “I think I gave it a great shot,” Tubbs said. “I know in my own mind that I gave it all I had to give.” Koehler said Tubbs has fulfilled the intended goals set for the basketball coach. “The expectations were that we wanted to win,” Koehler said. “Of course there were expectations as far as recruiting and graduating players, but the main goal was to win.” During his time at TCU, Tubbs has been criticized for not developing players from high school, not graduating enough players and controlling the show at the game with his memorable antics with the referees. In 2000, the men’s basketball team had no members graduate. “I feel he’s leaving a more established program with a tradition of winning and postseason play,” Koehler said. “There is now a stronger commitment to (men’s basketball) from the university.” TCU play-by-play commentator and Director of Marketing Brain Estridge has worked closely with Tubbs since 1998. Estridge said maybe people don’t understand Tubbs’ upfront persona. “A common misconception of Billy is that he is arrogant and obnoxious,” Estridge said. “His true demeanor is that he is loyal to the people around him within his staff and players.” This season has been an opportunity for people like Estridge to watch up close and appreciate the legendary coach. “Throughout the entire season, I just wanted to step back and relish every moment,” he said. “This year he has a team which is not very talented but still has put together a winning season. He is running more set plays on offense and defense than ever before.” One of Estridge’s greatest memories of Tubbs came in a game against Colorado State in 1999. TCU, then ranked No. 24, entered Fort Collins, Colo. in front of a raucous crowd, but Tubbs brushed all the externalities off to keep his team poised in the win, Estridge said. “It was close all game long, and we got the win in overtime,” Estridge said. “Billy was so excited by the win that the Colorado State head coach took it personally and tempers flared a bit. That was Tubbs at his finest, with fire and dedication to winning at any cost.” Koehler’s said Tubbs will be remembered for the commitment he had to TCU. “He has left many wonderful impressions on me and TCU,” Koehler said. “I think the best one is that he never doubted himself, and he never doubted we could win.” Guard Junior Blount said the main reason he came to TCU was because of Tubbs. “TCU is known around the nation not because of its tradition, but because of Coach Tubbs,” Blount said. “He put this program on the map and where it is with his high-scoring style of play.” Joan Owens, administrative assistant for the basketball office, said working for Tubbs the past five years have been a unique experience. “He keeps you on your toes,” Owens said. “At first I was scared of him, moreover intimated by him, but now we have a good working relationship, and he will be missed.” Tubbs was difficult to be around when his team lost games, Owens said. “Any coach is grumpy when they lose,” she said. “They wouldn’t be a good coach if they didn’t feel that way and accept the loss.” Tubbs is getting recognized by other Horned Frog sports. Baseball head coach Lance Brown said Tubbs will throw out the first pitch at Saturday’s game at Texas-Arlington. Ram
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