Leaderboard

It's reached a point where I enjoy discussing potential new coaches and the news and rumors surrounding them more than IU basketball games. That's wrong on so many levels, but it's what this regime has done to me. 

Brian Shapiro is his name. I've sat with him a few times when in town, and yes, he has been out on Crean for sometime, I believe the 13-14 year. One game was a home game vs. Illinois IU ended up winning. At the alumni gathering before the game, we walked around and he'd introduce me to people then start bashing Crean, first thing. He screamed the entire second half about getting Vonleh the ball and how stupid Crean was. It got sorta weird from there lol... Can't confirm the donation part because I haven't been out this year but that's definitely a guy who would tell all if he pulled donations

Lol I wish Stevens first name wasn't Brad. Doesn't help when discussing aggravating things as BS.

  The boosters pulling support/donations is the quickest way for a change.  Unfortunately, I don't see that happening anytime soon and would take a terrible few years or another string of off the court issues.  The other way is for alumni/fans to simply turn their back to the program for years.  I'm not sure this will happen due to the sheer number of fans that would love to attend just one game in Assembly Hall or aren't passionate enough to not tune into a game on TV.  The whole situation is frustrating and the longer Crean is "leading" the program and not winning the more upset passionate fans will become with him.  That's where incidents at games, on campus, etc. will begin to take place.  We have heard the booing and it could get a lot worse.

Is it really any surprise that a season filled with games just like the Pinstripe Bowl ended with a heart-breaking, controversial field goal? In many ways, the controversial missed field goal in overtime Saturday against Duke was a fitting way for the 2015 Indiana football season to come to an end.   It was a season of close calls, both in victory and defeat.   Let’s don’t forget that the season began with IU needing to make a defensive play on a two-point conversion attempt in the closing seconds to escape with a 48-47 victory over Southern Illinois.   Indiana had to hang on to beat an eventual bowl team in Western Kentucky, 38-35.   There was a close game with then No. 1 Ohio State, a gift wrapped 55-52 loss to Rutgers where the Hoosiers squandered a 19-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.   There was the Michigan game where the Wolverines scored a touchdown on the final play of regulation to force overtime and then won in the extra session.   And then there was Duke Saturday in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium where Indiana led 41-34 late before the Blue Devils scored a touchdown in the final minute to force overtime.   But I will tell you this. As gut-wrenching of a defeat as Indiana suffered in its most recent postseason appearance may have been, IU football was still extremely entertaining in 2015.   And that’s a start. I don’t think Indiana football will ever be a powerhouse type of program that will mow through the Big Ten schedule and end up playing consistently in a New Year’s Eve bowl situation. That may happen once in a while but in a division that also includes Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State, I think that’s asking a lot.   So the reality is that Indiana is going to have a lot of 6-6 or 7-5 type of seasons and very likely be playing in lower level bowls.   I’m not saying that I speak for all Indiana fans but I think if the Hoosiers played an entertaining brand of football (sure, a little better on the defensive side would help) and made it to a bowl game every year that most IU fans would be happy with that outcome. Of course there will be some who continue with the line of thinking that there’s no reason Indiana shouldn’t be a football powerhouse. The whole ‘If Northwestern, Illinois and Purdue can do, then why can’t IU?’ way of thinking is still prevalent with some.   But one thing all three of those programs do not have in common right now with Indiana is that they are in the other division. And I think the East is just a tad bit tougher than the West. Sure you have Wisconsin and Iowa and usually Nebraska but overall I would trade divisions if I were IU in a heartbeat.   It still comes down to the fact that Indiana had a very entertaining 2015 season in which it scored the most points in school history for one season. In the last four games, Indiana scored 40 points or more in each game. IU boasted two 1,000-yard running backs for the first time in school history and its career record-holding quarterback and some sure-handed receivers, too.   The defense … well … it always come back to the defense. And the reality Saturday was that it was the defense combined with special teams that hurt the Hoosiers. That long kickoff return for a touchdown was a momentum squelcher. And the fumble by Mitchell Paige on the punt return hurt, too.   Still, for me the bottom line was that Indiana was fun to watch in 2015. I go back to my last bowl experience with Indiana in the Insight Bowl in the ‘Play 13’ season after Terry Hoeppner had died and I remember that game was not so much of a game. I think Austin Starr put IU up 3-0 and then it was 28-3 midway through the second quarter. Oklahoma State just ran all over Indiana that day.   What the 2015 season showed me about IU football was that the Hoosiers are closer. Next season IU will have eight home games to utilize in an attempt to make rare back-to-back bowl appearances. That hasn’t happened at IU in more than 25 years.   And that’s what we’ll all be keeping an eye on as the 2016 unfolds. Until then, IU fans can talk about what could have been and whether last-second field goals should always be reviewable or not. [url=https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/football/analysi/analysis-a-fitting-ending-to-the-2015-season-r292]Click here to view the article[/url]

Per Mike Miller, Laken is now on campus and will very quickly start practicing with the team.

We are stacked at WR with Jones, Paige, Cobbs, Westbrook coming back. Booth, James and Harris all back from injury. Exciting group!

I'm as excited about IUFB as I've ever been. I'm already looking forward to spring ball. What are you looking forward to seeing over the next 6 months. Here are mine. 1. Who stays/goes? Does Howard/Feeney go pro? Does Ricky Jones and Paige finish their last year of eligibility? 2. How do we finish the 2016 recruiting class? Do we flip any big names? 3. Does Wilson get an extension? 4. Who steps up as #2 RB behind Redding? 5. Who replaces Mangieri and Shaw on the edges? 6. Who separates themselves in the secondary?

This is what confuses me the most. I could never put my family through consecutive seasons of what they are bound to endure. Either they are incredibly strong people or maybe some of the rumors of Crean's haughtiness are true.

I don't disagree with any of that.  And yes...I know everything you said is true.  The answer is a one man list...until it isn't.  I know that too, and I've said it a lot more than you have.  Glass' job is to look big picture and I too think he's done very well, but the other side to the coin is while I too am very happy with the job Glass is doing, Indiana does not compete on a level right now with the Michigan States, Penn States, Ohio States, etc.  And we can't count on football to generate the money....basketball has to.  Like T. Boone Pickens at Oklahoma State whose interest was the success of the football program, Indiana has plenty of alums who are willing to step up...and will if the basketball team gets to a better spot.     The comment was "more wins = more money."  My response was a simple one because it's an accurate one.   We do well now, but even if we meet our goals now, we do better if we win bigger.  I'm not faulting Glass for anything.  I also know he's had the money to buy Crean out for over a year.  If anything, he's too patient.  I also know Cindy Simon-Skjodt wants a big winner in the building with her name on it.  I know Mr. Shapiro (forget his name...friends with Herb Simon and owns Shapiro's Deli in Indy) backed off his yearly gifts recently, citing disappointment in the basketball program as a primary reason.  If the basketball program starts to win more consistently, the alumni will be more supportive financially.  YOU know that.

I agree. I hope someone puts the pressure on with the next hire. Before there were so many variables involved that did not include basketball which is BS. This next hire needs to absolutely be about the best coach. That's it. We don't need black, white, Boy Scout coach. We need the best coach.

For what it's worth, these last 30 posts or so have really been interesting and I don't mean that in a sarcastic way.  The back and forth has been very informative to me.

I've been at every practice and I don't remember that. I stand corrected on the individual part but I still don't think he'll see any time at RB

I 100% agree with you. Hell I have been booing at games. This is the problem with a fractured fan base.

^^^Agreed MDN but as fans it's extremely frustrating to see pu breakout, Butler being Butler through a coaching change and the MSUs, Dukes, and pukes of the world succeed.  We know we have the potential to be a contender every year and could be there with one hire.  It's the perception that the administration has a different perception that frustrates me.

Just got back from the game.   I sure hoped for a different result, but it was the first time I was ever able to go to an IU bowl game; (I am 50 BTW!)  I was able to take my Dad (another IU graduate) to his first bowl game.  I got to meet a man I have been chatting online with for 5 years or more.    I wouldn't trade the memories of this weekend for a million dollars.   The thing that killed me on the FG.  The ref that was directly under the upright didn't make the call, it was the ref under the other upright.  That should not have been allowed.   I liked Terry's take that it was special teams that killed us.  Special teams gave them two scores and you aren't going to win many games doing that.  I am really looking forward to next year.  

It's alright Alaska--I've got your back! Who else could live in Alaska--go watch basketball in Hawaii--and then enter the twilight zone and teleport to IU/Francaisland!  You're alright--no matter what everybody says!

Wow.  What an experience!  A bowl game.  A BOWL GAME!  In my freaking backyard (2 hrs and 15 mins drive straight through NJ, up the Pike, across the GW and into the Bronx...easy peasy!)!!!  Opportunities like this don't come often (hopefully more frequently now!).  Personal highlights include: Yankee Freaking Stadium.  C'mon, it doesn't get more iconic (even the new one is gorgeous w/a taste of old).  Walking around Monument Park.  Just a marvelous site! Bumping into Antwaan Randle El!  My all time favorite IUFB player!  He was a student when I attended IU.  I wish I had a sharpie on me but a handshake and a memory is good enough! Watching the team arrive and seeing the support as they marched off the bus into the stadium.  These are the experiences that I as a fan enjoy the most!  The pomp and circumstance stuff! Did I mention Yankee Stadium!? Converting two neutral residents of Connecticut into IU fans!  These two (father/son duo) were cheering for IU as if they were lifers!  Hopefully they make it to the site! Checking a Bowl game off the bucket list.   Now the game itself.  What can I say, it was IUFB!  Drop passes (story of the year for Cobbs unfortunately), fumble on special teams, interceptions (Suds was inconsistent at best last night).  When he was on, he was slinging that ball perfectly...but when he was off, look out.  TD's, untouched, straight up the gut.  That's IU Defense.  I had a litany of other things that I had told myself to remember but I don't.  lol   I'm in a simlar boat to akhsrof.  I was disappointed with the results and woke up a little less disappointed.  I slowly came out from that foggy haze and have moved onto next year.  I'm ready to rock it out next year.   Howard.  I don't know what to say about Howard.  Part of me wants to say the kid gave it his all and I want to thank him for his time here.  But then his lack of playing injured has me thinking the kid was in it for the kid (see the Vonleh reference above).  Especially when you hear that Tevin Coleman played on a broken toe (toes?) last year.  But ultimately no two injuries are the same so I don't think it's fair for me to pass that judgement....but it will always be in the back of my mind.

Surely there's a point at which CTC himself says enough is enough and the 2 sides get together, negotiate a buyout and CTC announces his resignation.  He's got to be painfully aware that he is not a beloved and revered coach and likely never will be.  How much stress does he want to continue to place on himself and his family? 

Glass needs to admit to his bosses and the world that he made a mistake. He will never present it that way Publicly but by recommending and forcing a change that is what he is doing. It wasn't a disastrous decision to extend/support Crean, many people thought after 2011 that he was the right coach. I wasn't convinced but many were so I can't blame him for feeling that way. Yes, when he makes that reco to remove Crean he has to recommend a better fit. We cannot have 1 solution, that is complete BS, no pun intended. It is his job to find a coach that is an upgrade and if he is the AD that some think he is, then it shouldn't be this impossible feat that many are making it out to be. It's not Stevens or Crean. Duke and UNC will both be replacing legends in the next few years and when the time comes, they might try for Stevens if he is available but if he isn't, they are going to have to hire someone. Therefore, there are two coaches out there that are good enough for Duke and UNC so they are likely good enough for IU. Who are those coaches? I don't know, not my job to figure out. Point is, Crean hasn't destroyed a brand, but his control has deteriorated it and that will continue and the impact will be LONG lasting and longer every minute he is here. Furthermore, there are two coaches out there that will be taking over at two of the blue bloods very soon... Who are they? They exist Glass, go find them and get them locked up before those two come calling

so even you believe we have likely dropped from "2-3" to 8 in 15 years. That trend will continue unless immediate action is taken to correct that. That stat sums up my point that we are surviving on the equity that was built over 50 years... The brand that Crean has built is not a top 8 brand so he is borrowing against inherited equity. The brand he has built is top 30 and that is where we will be 30 years from now if Glass doesn't look at this from a longterm approach. We are top 8 NOW because of what we were doing 30 years ago, what we are doing now will likewise be visible 30 years from now

Not sure the bolded part of your quote is true:   http://scoop.hoosiershq.com/2015/12/could-camion-patrick-fit-at-running-back-in-2016-iufb/   Notable McCullough quotes:   “I need prolonged time with guys like that. I’m looking forward to it, if that’s what it’s gonna be. He’s looking forward to it. He came over and did some individual (drills) with us. I said, ‘You need some time with us, man, to make that full conversion from a great athlete and scout team running back to a (full-time) running back and being that guy.’ I definitely like what he brings to the table.”   “Defensive coaches would tell me, ‘Hey, you need to watch the tape of him.’ It was something to be seen, for sure. Now, it’s about taking that, harnessing it into the particulars of our offense and (doing it) as a running back and not just getting the ball and taking off running. It’s actually (understanding), ‘I have keys and there’s some pace to this. I have to do some different things.’ It’ll be exciting to see how that crosses over if the full-blown decision is to make him a running back.”   “He’s got some size, some strength, and he’s got some juice,” McCullough said. “He’s got great hands and he’s very excited about that possibility, which hasn’t been finalized yet. I just want some more time with him.”   Wilson Note:   Wilson said last week that Patrick is currently splitting time between receiver and running back in practice.   ------------------------------------------   I'm not claiming the switch will happen, just saying it seems more of a possibility than you're allowing for.

Actually, as far as I know, no extension has been announced. Just that there are negotiations going on.

Ultimately the fans drive those revenues as you have noted. The fan boy in us keeps us coming back to watch and buy gear. While our fandom runs deeper, the Pacers lost their fan base during the Tinsley post brawl years and that impacted the bottom line and even as those guys were sent away it took awhile to turn that corner. So I think you make a good point mdn82, I think IU basketball is at a similar point. Fans are tired of Crean and the IU Bball product. Most understand that we have to eat until the end of the year but if we don't greatly exceed expectations many will not accept another year. I am convinced Glass knows this and he also knows the probability of sustaining success in football is lower than it is in Bball. So you ride the football horse as long as you can and make every effort to sustain success there but you can't afford to let Bball slip away because it can be hard to get it back.

Last night was extremely disappointing. I couldn't stop thinking about the game and put myself to sleep by 9. After waking up this morning, still disappointing but it doesn't hurt as much. If anything, I'm even more excited for spring ball. This team played arguably one of the toughest schedules in all of college football. The B1G East is legit, and we keep going to bowl games the level of recruits we get will pick up like we've never seen before. Yes, we are going to lose Suds, Spriggs, and possibly Howard and Feeney. However, we are LOADED with talent on offense. The defense is only going to get better as guys mature and get healthy. The secondary played its heart out last night. Fant, Dutra, and Crawford all back next season. Plus we get the JUCO transfer Thompson. Nine conference games will be tough, but we have proven we can compete with anyone. Winning your three out of conference games, plus beating Purdue, Rutgers and Maryland, the latter of two who are reloading with a new coach, gets you to six wins. No reason we cannot steal a game or two from the remaining big boys on our schedule. NW and Nebraska are the two other out of division games, add that to our annual games against OSU, MSU, Michigan and PSU, and we will likely have one of the toughest schedules in college football again.