590 AM from Lexington is reporting that Tubby Smith will be the next head coach at Minnesota.

http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_081140713.html

(WCCO) Minneapolis WCCO's Mike Max has learned that the University of Minnesota may be close to announcing a new men's basketball coach, and the newest name in the mix is Tubby Smith of Kentucky.

In a meeting Tuesday night between Smith and University of Kentucky officials, a resignation from Smith was expected. Word is that Gophers athletics director Joel Maturi was on a flight Wednesday afternoon to Lexington to meet with Smith.

Smith won a national championship in 1998, his first season with the Wildcats. Kentucky lost to Kansas Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Smith's team lost all six matchups against ranked opponents and finished 9-7 in the SEC. There has been speculation throughout the year that this would be his last at Kentucky.

Former coach Dan Monson resigned on Nov. 30. Jim Molinari took over on an interim basis. The Gophers finished 9-22 overall, 3-13 in the conference. The 22 losses were the most in school history.

The Gophers are in a competition for coaching candidates with two other Big Ten programs. Michigan fired head coach Tommy Amaker on Saturday. The job at Iowa also appears to be vacant. Steve Alford is reportedly close to a deal to take over at the University of New Mexico.