 Smith's team struggled throughout the 2009–10 season with off-court issues, but advanced to the championship game in the Big Ten Tournament for the first time in school history (losing to regular season co-champion Ohio State) and made the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season.On March 25, 2013, Smith was relieved of his coaching duties at Minnesota.On April 3, 2013, Richard Pitino, son of Louisville coach Rick Pitino, verbally agreed to coach the Golden Gophers.