Deserthoozier

He sure is!!

100%. That’s why we hired Dolson, who ran the Varsity Club phone bank v Pat Kraft (IU alum who was super interested in the job, now AD at Penn State, was AD at Temple at the time). Quinn and the funders wanted a yes man who would let them pull the strings instead of someone w/experience who would run the show. The thing that frustrates me the most is that Dolson was forced to bring Wooody back this year, when the writing was on the wall. Powers that be thought maybe we could buy our way out of it. How’s that working. The collective gaslighting just added insult to injury. Don’t dislike Dolson, and glad he got/give him credit for a home run with Cig…although Allen was probably kept a wasted year too long as well. Worried now we might have missed the boat w/May…and simply start this absurd cycle again next year by settling for another coach that’s a risk because that’s all that’s left. He should have pushed back more vocally/publicly when forced to ‘chill’ and ‘run it back’ w/Woody. Sometimes in a leadership position you’ve got to lead even if it’s not popular.

Because Mike Woodson said that’s what Mike Woodson thought was best!

Tommy Lloyd utilized him to maximize his talent and was strategic with his integration into the rest of the team. From the way they play in games, it seems like Woody rolls balls out and says ‘figure it out fellas’!

There were rumors of a Big Foot sighting in Lincoln tonight, but clearly he wasn’t there. The Mayor owns Big Foot!

FIRE MIKE WOODSON…It’s all I got!

No Bardo, always a gift!!

Embarrassing! Time to move on.

Minny’s a Quad 3, right?

No Bardo! Always a blessing.

Mediocre in his best season!

Agree…not pumping Pearl as the end all be all…just pointing out baggage is nuanced, at best. I think moving on him last year would have been tremendous - not sure how much truth to rumors of his interest, and if real how true the intent actually was v using us for leverage to re-up and get all he ever wanted at Auburn. His results this year certainly look nice. To your broader point, I think most on here will readily agree…the last thing we need is another person who views the job as a pre-retirement gig!!

Well, then let’s hope QB’s done some serious soul searching and reality self-checking since then! He deserves a pass for thinking it was the right hire the first time, and all the criticism in the world for forcing another completely lost year of it last spring when it was obvious the King of Indiana wore no clothes!! Supplemental staff (eg. Armond Hill @~$210,000) is paid for directly by the U (ie Indiana taxpayers & U tuition payers). How’s our ROI on SleepySleeperson?

I would like to think/hope the admin is well past the luxury of obsessing over every ounce of coaching baggage, particularly knit picks from like 20 yrs ago that mean absolutely nothing. From documented egregious cheating that had zero consequences…UNC fake classes, the entire FBI bust that busted (KU, AZ, LSU, U6, on and on)…the reality has sadly been…if you ain’t cheating, u ain’t winning. We haven’t been winning, except probably confessional on Sundays. Now w/NiL and pretty much anything goes, a lot of past baggage is comical. There’s still probably some personal “character” baggage issues that count and perhaps rightfully so. What a damn shame…b/c that dude can coach!!

Just passing this on, in case anyone knows anyone who might benefit from it.

Here’s where I’m at… Woody was a poor choice at the time of hire due to lack of college ball experience specifically, and general coaching success more broadly. While many were surprised and questioned it at the time, a big majority, myself included, were willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. NBA recycles, especially if alum, were certainly more in vogue at the time. Legit arguments were made about the appeal of modern NBA style as well as NBA connections that both would be strong recruiting tools. It was fairly assumed from a coaching perspective that he at least understood, and therefore should be able to execute a fast flowing modern NBA style. And, if nothing else, he certainly was an IU guy! After 3 years… mixed recruiting success, mixed player development, and mixed on court success…the body of work was established. The style of play, recruiting , understanding of the modern college game and just flat out ‘energy’ all was substantially lacking - as was on court success. Nevertheless, the admin and stakeholders determined Woody was going to get a 4th year…with top NIL. While internal politics can be understood, this decision insulted many in one of the most hyper engaged fan bases. After 3 yrs, there was plenty of resume to see that the decision didn’t pass the eye and smell test. It was the equivalent of running Joe Biden again, when his inability to perform the job was clear to an electorate on all sides. (Not a political statement at all, just statement of obvious). Thus, a marginally competent Woody was forced on a fan base desperate for hope and success. Gaslighting, and even a bit of head coach generated hostility, ensued - creating more tension. NIL gave IU the ability to kill it in the portal…and getting talent was a success. Style of play issues were acknowledged, blamed on past team personnel, and promised to be changed (again). Folks came into this season, hopeful with the talent haul, and even optimistic that perhaps MW was committed to the hard work change requires — perhaps out of embarrassment, if nothing else. Early buy game eye tests raised questions - team and coaching has looked disconnected. Wheels fell off at the only preseason opportunity to gain quality wins in Atlantis. Games after Atlantis have only shown continued dysfunction. Coach statements continue to lack acknowledgement of issues, accountability and insight. “Hump” “work harder” “make shots” “young team”. So, instead of being proactive and managing the obvious, we’ve been forced to endure another mid at best season, with a boatload of talent, but sorely lacking in coaching…perhaps b/c ‘the last guy got 4 yrs, so MW will too’. But no worries, we’ve had a decade of it prior…so what’s making folks suffer through one more year! Thing is, it’s obvious the emperor has no clothes, the gaslighting has expended any goodwill, and the further you sink it and push away from past successes…the more support you lose, and fail to develop every year. There’s a fair reason to be resentful. 10+ years of mid performance for a program with our resources, history and fan commitment isn’t acceptable. It’s not the fans…admin owns accountability! Fire Mike Woodson!

Sold! That’s amazing ball movement, player position awareness, team connectivity, and willingnesss to work! Seems like we haven’t had a play half this coordinated in 25+ years. The coaching cred jumps out of the TV!!

100% same at Alabama. Greg Byrne has full authority. Sure, has to pre-inform major donors and stake holders and take them through a pre-announcement buy-in process, and sometimes money raising…but, he drives the bus and gets everyone else on board. His decision, live or die. IU sounds infinitely more bureaucratic and the results show! AuntiewithaK, please don’t shout ‘but Bill Orwig’, question how ‘new fans’ the people who post on here are, or split hairs over grammar…it shows your immaturity and pettiness, petulance aside!

Appreciate your input and insight. Some might suggest that it’s exactly the bureaucratic inefficiency of such a committee based ‘IU process’ that has inhibited men’s basketball success for 30 years!!! Sometimes decision makers need to make quick choices, sink or swim…and then be held accountable. Balancing what success is by committee can be tediously bureaucratic and often lead to mediocre or poor results.

In the joyful spirit of alliteration, might I then kindly suggest “Malodorous Mike”?

Not a mod here, or anything close, but would like to propose a thread amendment… this forum is generally democratic (small d), thus, I think a second and/or 3rd ‘aye’ on the amendment should be more than sufficient to pass it. I do not want to take ownership for the thought…as someone else a hundred or so pages back actually initiated the argument… Be it declared, from here until employment separation with Indiana University…Mike Woodson no longer merits the title of ‘Mediocre’. While it is the season to be generous, some things are so over the top untrue that to ‘give’ that much simply is unconscionable. There is nothing “Mediocre” about Mike. Upon his hiring, our hope was that he was “Mediocre” at worst, and ideally much better. That hope is now completely gone. Call him many things, almost anything…just not ‘mediocre’, b/c he’s not. Not even close!

No way he makes it to January. The optics and negative publicity are just too horrendous for the program, and generally pretty knowledgeable fan base, to weather. In the social media age, everyone knows we hired the best mercenaries possible, and have top three NCAA NIL. The one constant the past 4 years has been ‘0-0’. (Those are glasses looking for the inevitable hump to get over) And that’s exactly what EVEREYONE will be talking about from here until the end of March. IU fails w/one of the highest paid rosters. Team schematics completely outdated. Fans booing and are worst enemies of their program. Recruiting will die worse than it already has, fan apathy will crank up to levels never seen. We’ve delved in here before, but not this bad…and not after the coach middle fingered a big portion of the fan base who was justifiably frustrated with his performance. It will be a VERY dangerous place to go. I know it’s off brand for IU to make mid-season moves, but at this point it becomes a major business risk management decision. (It should have been viewed as such last Spring FFS, but we know how that went.) At this point, the risk of keeping him presents FAR greater potential damage to the program, short and longer term, than any potential reward. Either that, or our athletic department, board and overall administration is completely inept. Get ready for Interim Coach Cheaney!

Mark it…Armond Hill’s going to step in today and really maximize the ‘strategic direction’ he is charged with bringing to the team. It’s been his role since day 1 - to advise Woody on strategy…he’s just been holding back 3.5 yrs for the right moment - and that day is today!!! Put the mortgage on +9.5. Or perhaps that’s the line on how many times his eyes close over 15 secs during the game. Turkey consumption prior to tipoff certainly will impact the line — Armond warms up to that tryptophan like butter melts in a hot pan!!

Dude literally again said “I’ve got to get them over the hump” in post-game presser. JUST A COMPLETE EMBARRASSMENT!

Hey fella’s, let’s hear some spin!! @AH1971 @steubenhoosier