DALLAS (SMU) -- Assistant Basketball Coach Jimmy Tubbs has been hired as an assistant coach at Oklahoma, OU Coach Kelvin Sampson announced Tuesday, May 14.

"Going to Oklahoma is a great opportunity," said Tubbs. "Obviously, they've had a lot of success and were a Final Four team last season, but I want to go and help OU and Coach Sampson become even better. There is a certain amount of pressure on Oklahoma now that they are in the national spotlight, but I like that pressure and look forward to the challenge. Now I have to go to Norman and find my niche in their program and help Coach Sampson lead them to a National Championship."

"It is tough for me to leave SMU, though," Tubbs continued. "I've been here 12 years and have made some strong relationships over the years. I really appreciate the chance Coach Dement gave me when he arrived at SMU and I'll always be grateful. But Coach Dement has done a tremendous job at SMU over the last seven years and I know he'll continue to succeed."

Tubbs, who owned the longest tenure on the SMU men's basketball staff, was hired by SMU on July 1, 1990. In 12 seasons on the Hilltop, Tubbs was an integral part of helping SMU capture the Southwest Conference title in 1992-93 and played a key role in SMU's vast improvement the past six seasons.

Tubbs? work has earned him respect among high school and college coaches throughout the country. He was a finalist for the head coaching positions at Southwest Texas State and North Texas before being hired by the Sooners, who reached the 2002 NCAA Final Four.

Prior to arriving at SMU, Tubbs was the head coach at Kimball High School in Dallas for eight years. He guided the Knights to a 232-42 record, which culminated in his final season with the Texas 5-A state title. Tubbs' Kimball teams enjoyed five 30-win seasons. He earned district Coach of the Year honors five times and was the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Coach of the Year twice. During Kimball's 1989-90 state championship season, Tubbs was chosen as the Texas High School Boys' Coach of the Year.

"Jimmy has had a tremendous run at SMU both during his five years under John Shumate and in his last seven seasons with me," said Mustang Head Coach Mike Dement. "He has always had specific career goals in mind and with his success recruiting the Dallas area I always knew there was a chance we would lose him. He has passed on numerous job offers in the last three to four years, but I knew when Coach Sampson called that Jimmy would be excited about the opportunity with OU's national success and recent Final Four trip."

"He has always been very well respected in this area and well-liked by our players and his departure will create a void for us that we will have to work to overcome. I predict he will be successful at Oklahoma just as he was here. We wish him the best."