Minneapolis, MN

The University of Minnesota has fired basketball coach Tubby Smith, saying it's time for a "fresh set of eyes" to its program.

"We are grateful to Tubby and his entire staff for their hard work and dedication to this University, our students and the entire Minnesota community. We wish Tubby, Donna and the entire staff well," Gophers athletics director Norwood Teague said in a statement.

"I want to thank the University of Minnesota and the people of Minnesota for giving me the opportunity to lead the Golden Gopher basketball program for six years," Smith said in a statement.

"Our staff did things the right way and will leave knowing that the program is in far better shape than when we arrived. The people of the State of Minnesota embraced Donna and me from the beginning and we will always be grateful," he added.

The Gophers lost to Florida in the third round of the 2013 NCAA tournament. The Gophers had beaten UCLA in their tournament opener, the first NCAA win for Smith in his six seasons with the school.

Under Smith, the Gophers also made it to the finals of the 2012 NIT at Madison Square Garden.

In his six seasons with the Gophers, the 61-year-old Smith compiled a record of 124-81 (.610) and led the program to five postseason berths.

The Gophers started the season 15-1 and rose to No. 8 in the rankings but lost 11 of their last 16 games heading into the NCAA Tournament.

Earlier, Board of Regents chair Linda Cohen told the Pioneer Press that she received a voice message from university president Eric Kaler, saying Smith was being replaced.

"With the very up-and-down season we've had -- sometimes spectacular and sometimes disappointing -- the regents were aware that might be an issue," Cohen said. "I don't think it would come as a surprise to any of the regents."

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Minnesota Fires Basketball Coach Tubby Smith