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Younger; more likeable, lower buyout, and a higher ceiling imo. After 22 years, we know who Cronin is. He's a very good coach who will get us to the tournament consistently but it feels like the ceiling is pretty low. Otz feels like he is just about to reach his peak, and we can get him right as he's about to get there. In my opinion Otz is a guy who has proven he can do it at the high major level, but is still on an upward trajectory, while Cronin feels like he has somewhat flatlined at this point. So while maybe not as safe of a hire as Cronin, it feels like a much bigger swing, without being a big gamble. Having said all that, I just like Otz way more than I like Cronin... so basically vibes. Lol.

@cybergates just thanked a post on page 1219. My man, you have quite the day ahead of you.

Does anyone else think it’s kind of foolish to talk about “throwing off the scent”? Like this is some spy novel surrounding some goofs on a message board….The scent nobody but us here on the board seems to have? Come on…..the majority of fans are not here and have no idea who is going to be coach….doubful that Dolson is involved in any skullduggery because there really is no reason for it…think about it..

It’s been Brad for weeks.

Chris f****** Beard!!!

Wade is where Sampson was right before he got to Houston. He paid the price and is atoning for it. But I get it, hiring Wade would mean we wouldn't be able to act like we're above everybody else, and he wins too much.

Because that would be absolutely as good a hire as Stevens and quite possibly even a better hire. Goodman talking up Otz for IU really intrigued me.

Not what I call inside info but hearing suddenly from sone who were at one time connected not to discount Otz. Fingers crossed

One of the more practical negatives about McCollum is he has no recruits signed to Drake and I think very few rotation players with eligibility he could bring over (let alone them being up to B10 competition). Does he even necessarily have the connections / network to hire an excellent staff around him? I think D2 ball is great but is he tapping into that circle entirely or just rolling with the Drake staff? Or does he actually have very strong connections at D1/P5 levels? I dunno the answer. He’d probably have to assemble an entire roster and staff in an offseason - on a super quick turnaround - and he hasn’t done that before. For a guy with just one year under his belt, as great as I think he is as a coach, it just doesn’t make a ton of sense for this cycle. Maybe he could get it done. But it’s a big risk. Long list of guys who should get the gig first… if they say yes…

Here's the thing. The guy is a great basketball coach and has proven it over time by succeeding at the highest level of wherever he was. Your analogy makes it sound like he's a huge gamble and he's just not. Why? Because he won't have to do all of this himself. Good assistant coaches, the support of an athletic department, and the hiring of a GM can and would help him. I'd FAR rather take a shot on a great coach (which he is, that part isn't arguable) and believe we have the next great high level coach rather than settle for a guy with experience who's never won anything. The example isn't Bob Knight. The example is Curt Cignetti. In 2023, James Madison generated $13.4 million in revenue. Same year? Indiana generated $31.4 million with pathetic crowds and a horrible team. SOLELY because of football, Indiana's athletics budget grew from $141 million in 2023 to $173.5 million in 2024. Granted, Cignetti had 5 seasons at James Madison to McCollum's one season at Drake, but McCollum won 4 national titles at D2. That matters a lot. Say we hire a retread like Mick Cronin. In 4 years when McCollum is winning somewhere else, for the THIRD time, I think we'd be saying we f*cked up the timing. Could have had Stevens in 2012....stayed w Crean. Could have had Dusty May last year...stuck with Woodson. Are we willing to play it safe AGAIN and miss out on a guy who has proven he wins? The business enterprise isn't just the head coach's responsibility and I promise McCollum could handle it FAR better than Woodson has, and he's a far better coach. I have zero interest in a more mediocre coach because whoever that is has more experience. The current environment is still < 2 years old. NOBODY has THAT much more experience and Scott Dolson has a history of setting coaches up for success. I don't always mean to be your counterpoint but I love the idea of getting "the next big thing" while he's coaching at Indiana far more than I want to hire a retread who isn't as good and wishing we'd hit the timing right for a change. In 1992, Ross Perot compared Bill Clinton the same way, saying it's like asking a McDonald's franchisee (governor of Arkansas) to become the CEO of Wal Mart. I don't care one bit for Bill Clinton personally, but he wasn't a bad president. McCollum has a GREAT chance to succeed at IU and I think he has a FAR better chance to succeed here long term than guys like Buzz Williams, Cronin, etc. Same with Schertz.

IU could literally get told no by the first 10 coaches on their list and the 11th one would put them in better position nationally then they have been the last 4 years with the coach with 0 college basketball coaching experience when he got the job

Will Wade is under a show cause through June. He is ineligible for consideration (thank goodness).

5 inches. Otzelberger is 6 ft' and Cronin is 5'7". Archie was short, so we can't make that mistake again. :)

Let’s have like 7 head coaches

It hasn't. Brad was supposed to sign all star weekend but unfortunately his pen ran out of ink. So he is waiting for his ink refill to come in and that takes time. It's special ink made from the horn of a free range, organic grass fed unicorn. So it'll be a few more weeks.

Oooh… a guessing game! Chris (seven letters) Beard. ”Chris ‘Drinkin’ Beard?” ”Chris ‘NotAtIU’ Beard?”

Hair

I’m not even saying McCollum can’t cut it at this level. All I’m saying is that he’s a huge risk at a time IU can’t afford to miss on the next coach. Maybe McCollum goes to Iowa and does well. That only matters if the guy we hire is a dud. Louisville fans aren’t moping about Dusty May. They’re happy with their guy who has them 21-6 and 14-2 in the ACC.

I’m not touching that. I don’t know. I’ve just heard good things.

March 2nd 3pm fox sports

Whichever college basketball coach is hired to take over the IU program , after the initial disappointment by some that it wasn’t their guy, IU and their new coach will be in position to be an actual college basketball program again ran by someone who loves college basketball and give the fans something to look forward to. Might not be a home run however whenever the coach is hired he instantly becomes the best hire IU has made in 4 years and possibly the last 8 years. I’m not worried at all about the next coach

Stop overthinking it guys. As I’m sitting here I’m cracking up at all the hand-wringing, arguing, name calling. What’s even funnier though, will be all the “I love you man,” and “hey, sorry man I’m just a passionate Hoosier fan,” and apologizing that will take place in a very short period of time, gonna be a lot of happy times, and winning, ahead. You guys are awesome. Settle down though, and enjoy your weekend, Scotty D is a legend.

Mullins dropped 52 tonight. Thanks Woody.