Tim Brewster Isn’t Interested In Kansas

Over the last few days there has been some talk coming out of both Minnesota and Kansas that Golden Gophers head coach Tim Brewster was a candidate to replace the recently fired Mark Mangino at Kansas.  In all honesty the talk never made that much sense to me.

Why would Brewster want to leave Minnesota for a basketball school, and on the flip side, why would Kansas want a coach who is 14-23 (including 0-9 against Iowa, Wisconsin, Penn State and Ohio State) in his three years in Minnesota?  My guess was that Brewster was hoping to use the Kansas job as some leverage to get a contract extension out of the school, but on Wednesday night Brewster texted Adam Rittenberg at ESPN to let him know he was not a candidate for the job.

Speaking of the contract situation, one that is already costing Brewster recruits, I’m starting to get the feeling that Brewster and Minnesota AD Joel Maturi aren’t exactly the best of friends.  First, Maturi came out and said that he’s not going to consider giving Brewster a contract extension until after Minnesota’s game against Iowa State in the Insight Bowl.

But then there were these quotes from Maturi regarding the rumors about Brewster and Kansas.

“There are rumors that he’s going to Kansas, so I don’t know,” Maturi said. “What can I say? So I can’t guarantee it, no. I can’t guarantee the decisions of other people.”

“I’m smart enough to know that (Brewster’s) not going to tell me; nor is the athletic director (Lew Perkins) at Kansas going to tell me until it’s a done deal. I chatted with (Brewster) about it very, very briefly. I told him I’m getting tired of all of these Kansas calls. That’s kind of been my conversations with him. I know how the game is played. I know how it is. I’m respectful of that. I’m not going to believe the rumors until they’re fact. I’m not going to knee-jerk react one way or the other because of it.”

First of all, I think I’m starting to fall in love with Maturi.  It’s about time somebody just came out and said what everybody knows is going on when it comes to these coaching searches.  Second, am I the only one who noticed that during Maturi’s incredibly open answer, at no point does he say he hopes or wants Brewster to come back to Minnesota?

So, let’s see.  Maturi doesn’t want to discuss a contract extension for his coach, and then when rumors pop up that his coach may be leaving, he doesn’t sound like he cares whether he stays or goes.

Interesting.

All I know is that Brewster better turn things around, and do it quickly.  Even if the Gophers win the Insight Bowl I don’t see him getting an extension, and I don’t see him getting fired either.

No, Maturi is going to do the smart — and right — thing.  He’s going to let Brewster come back for his fourth season, which means that he’ll have a team full of his own recruits.  If the team shows improvement in 2010, then Brewster will get his contract extension.

If not?  Well, then it will be some other athletic director having to answer questions about what Maturi is doing next winter.