MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It seems like every year since he’s coached the Gopher basketball team, Tubby smith has been rumored to be in the mix for other coaching jobs in the offseason.

This year is no exception, and Friday’s latest example has proved for some interesting fodder. Smith was rumored to be in talks for the head coaching job at LSU.

WCCO-TV’s Mike Max learned from sources that the job there isn’t as good as what he already has at the University of Minnesota. It would require a significant rebuilding project, much like what Smith started five years ago with the Gophers.

Smith hasn’t had any comment about the latest rumor and instead has focused on signing a contract extension to stay on as coach of the Gophers. That likely won’t happen until a new athletic director is hired sometime in the next month.

A CBS Sports report that came out late Friday afternoon indicated LSU will hire Johnny Jones. The report says the school will hold a news conference on Monday.

It looks to be a big 2012-13 season for Smith and the Gophers as they only lose Ralph Sampson III to graduation. Trevor Mbakwe was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, and now it’s up to him if it will be used. The Gophers have everybody else back, minus a transferred Chip Armelin, from a team that made it to the NIT title game after a disappointing regular season.