Citing an unidentified source close to the situation, CBSSports.com reported that Auburn is "close" to hiring Smith. But the Minnesota coach denied that and said he has not been offered a job by any other school.
Auburn fired Jeff Lebo a week ago after his fourth losing season in six years. Smith is a well-known commodity in the SEC, having coached at both Kentucky and Georgia. He led Kentucky to its seventh NCAA title in his first season there and won five SEC championships and five tournament titles with the Wildcats and Bulldogs. He's had 17 straight 20-win seasons, most among active coaches, and has made the NCAA tournament all but one of those years.
Smith left Kentucky after the 2007 season to take the job at Minnesota, where he has rebuilt a program gutted by an academic cheating scandal. Royce White and Trevor Mbakwe became involved in legal entanglements before the season, and point guard Al Nolen was ruled academically ineligible in January.
This team has really grown and matured," Smith said. Minnesota loses starters Lawrence Westbrook and Damian Johnson next year. "Coach Smith, he loves it in Minnesota. Smith left Kentucky after the 2007 season to take the job at Minnesota, where he has rebuilt a program gutted by an academic cheating scandal.
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