HoosierFan1994

Family has been sick today so I've had "free" time today. I wanted to see what the "hot boards" looked like in 2017 and in 2021. Archie's name was mentioned from the start. However, Billy Donovan was the prize during that search. I think Friday was the Albers "Donovan was in Bloomington" tweet. I know Alford at some point said it wasn't him. Next day is when they announced Archie Miller as coach. Search lasted 9 days. We all know who was the man in 2021. His press conference basically ended all speculation. Search went on for another week. Woodson's name kept appearing everywhere despite the Stevens, Beilein, Moser (lol), Matta, Holtmann talk. Search lasted 13 days. A couple of things that stand out: 1) 2025 candidates are MUCH better than in 2017 and 2021. 2) While they weren't the "favorite" Archie and Woodson's names did appear pretty much from early on in the process. It is very likely the name of our next coach has been discussed/mentioned. I do think there is a tight lip on this process (as there should be) but names get thrown around for a reason. 3) Smoke really didn't pick up until the day they were hired. I think Archie was broke that morning by Woj. Woodson I think by Bozich. If I remember right there was a feeling or rumor announcement would be made that day. Very similar to Cig back in 2023. With IU (Likely) making the tournament, I would expect either an announcement or leak 24-48 hours after their season ends or when our new coach's season ends. Earliest I can see that being would be around March 22. I just don't see any leaks happening. Love the speculation and excitement, but let's not get carried away. Just think it'll be quiet for 3 weeks. Let's hope the team gives us a lot to be excited about. Last item: we've heard what Stevens (through Goodman), May, Cronin think about the IU job. Even Pearl has commented on IU before. Beard gave a Coach Knight shout-out recently. Why has nobody in the media asked Scott Drew? It's just interesting with the Texas insider thinking it's him. Cronin is still my prediction, but there are a lot of realistic reasons why I think it could be Drew.

This times 100000!!! Also if you can't connect with people or build relationships, you are SOL as a teacher/coach. I too agree this is what sunk Archie Miller.

John Fanta, with Field of 68 and Fox Sports, went on Pardon My Take and predicted Otzelberger to IU. Just interesting after Goodman's comments Friday night and Rabjohns tonight. You may not like them, but the Field of 68 is probably the best there is at covering our sport (give them a shot. It's not just Goodman on there). Not saying it'll be TJ. It's just worth keeping an eye on. TJ I think would be as close to a "grand slam" hire as we could get. His teams the last few years have improved so much offensively. My only concern is they have a legit Final Four contending team. I just don't see a coach taking a team to the final four and leaving that same year. Kind of hope they make Sweet 16 and get beat for that sake.

I listen to the Field of 68. At first, I thought it was Goodman trying to get his buddy a raise. He just got one in December so I don't think it's that. IF he's a realistic choice for IU, I'd put him at 2 behind Scott Drew and ahead of Mick Cronin.

He's from Indiana. Maybe he's just done at Baylor. He won a title there. Could want a new challenge? Better resources at IU? They are having a down year. I could see it.

Greatest coaching staff of all time!!!

If Indiana does have their guy, you have to think it's someone not coaching right now...right? I just don't see a college coach already agreeing to the job. Martha had a great tweet yesterday. Curt Cignetti wasn't on a lot of Hot boards. In fact, I remember his name starting to heat up about a day before it was announced. That was on purpose. More I think about it, I don't think it's anyone we are really talking about or it's (put my tin foil hat on..I kid) the guy from Boston. It is odd to me to schedule a game against Marquette without a coach. Also odd that Woodson visited Sisley on Friday.

I've been critical of this team since the Louisville game. That being said what we saw today is all we really want as IU fans. I don't care who the coach is or if we get 5 stars, portal guys, or a 3 star from Indiana. Just freaking play hard. That second half was as good of a half as we've seen here in quite some time. I hope Woodson keeps the same lineup and rotations. This is the time of the year you shorten your bench. It would be nice to see these guys go on a small run.

I'd put McDermott in the next group with Buzz Williams and I guess Brownell.

I will say this: Even though they grew up in Indiana (One was even a manager here), it was going to be hard to convince the GM of the defending NBA Champions and current betting favorite this year to win it all to leave. It was also going to be hard to convince the Head Coach of the 1st (I guess now 2nd) place team in the Big Ten to leave. Just sucks that one of them would've been here a year ago if not for egos.

I edited it. I meant at the start of his tenure at Creighton. Yes, Creighton has been a top program in the Big East for the 8-9 years.

I'm curious to see how he does at Creighton without his son at the start. Doug was probably the best player on College Basketball for a few years. I'd say it would be a meh hire. He did a nice job taking Creighton from the MVC to the Big East. Again, he did have Doug but still impressive.

You're not at fault. The Cignetti hire is the only reason I have faith in Dolson to do the right thing.

Indiana passing on the chance to hire Dusty May a year ago to keep Woodson is like the Colts having the #1 pick, keeping Anthony Richardson over drafting a can't miss QB prospect, and that can't miss prospect goes to the Titans or another division rival. Doslon very well may (no pun intended) have things under control and can still land a good coach, but it puts more pressure on him thanks to Buckner and the boys.

I had a long post about it on Wednesday night late...I just think Mick wins here with the resources. I'm warming up to him. After May signed the deal today...I list Mick as my new favorite to land the job. (If you don't want him, you're in luck with my track record). Yeah, I probably go to Drew or Beard ahead of him. I can't see Scott Drew leaving Baylor after 20 years...hope I'm wrong. Also I hope I'm wrong that Beard won't be considered. If they can't get those two, Mick should 100% be the hire.

You never know. I won't panic until we see who IU hires. Indiana STILL can hire a very good coach I have no doubt. It's just frustrating a very good coach who also went to your school was available a year ago. Yet, you stuck with Woodson and now May is at your conference rival.

It really is sad that two people who were legendary players for this program have just about ruined their reputation all because of ego. Going to be really hard for the fans to forgive them if they don't get this hire right.

Quinn Buckner says you all are welcome! Not time to panic. I still think Indiana can hire a very good coach. But dang, it's going to be hard to think that Indiana could have had him a year ago.

What's wild is this is going to go on for at least another 4 weeks. The earliest I see a hire being announced is the weekend of the first/second round of the NCAA Tournament. Given the length of the search, I would say the announcement is made 24-48 hours after the season ends for our new coach. I think Archie was announced a week after his season ended. However, they had just fired Crean right when the tournament started. Pretty sure Dusty May accepted the Michigan job the day after FAU's season ended last year.

BINGO. Indiana HAS to get this hire right. This is probably the most attractive this job has been since maybe 2006 when Davis stepped down at the end of the season. I teach and I am stunned that a lot of the students (middle school age) are IU fans. Think about the kids IU will be recruiting in the '26, '27, and '28 classes. They were in preschool when the WatShot happened. The only "good" memory they might have is Yogi leading IU to the B1G title/Sweet 16 and Trayce's senior year. Why I think they have to hire a proven guy. Not an Archie Miller like hire.

Up late Watching UCLA play. I have no idea why, but the more I think about it, the more Mick Cronin I think is a perfect fit at Indiana. Even a month ago, if someone said that, I would have laughed. That being said, if you really watch his teams play and look at his resume.. He's won everywhere he's been. He's been at 3 programs that care deeply about college basketball (Yes, for a mid-major Murray State is one of the best fan bases. They packed the Ford Center every year for the OVC). Maybe not at the IU level, but I would have to think he gets it as far as basketball being the priority on campus. When he was at Cincinnati in the start, the Big East was the top league in all of college hoops. He had some solid teams there. Since 2011, his teams have only missed the NCAA tournament once (I think UCLA makes it in 2020) 12 straight tournaments is incredible. Meanwhile, the last time IU made 3 straight NCAAs was 06-08... Yes, he's made the Sweet 16 "only" 4 times. Bruce Pearl, who we all (including myself) wanted, has made it to the Sweet 16 5 times. You know who else has made the Sweet 16 5 times? Scott Drew. Not sure why Mick gets punished for that. It's really hard to win in a 68 team tournament anymore. I really like how he called his team out a month ago and they responded. They have a legit shot at making the Sweet 16 this year. Look, I get it. Nobody here wants to just make the Sweet 16. It's why Tom Crean is no longer here. But, I'll tell you what I am tired of. I'm tired of being a bubble team. I'm tired of having zero identity as far as a program goes. Since 2016-2017, that's been IU basketball. I've always thought of Mick Cronin teams as tough, and they go after it on defense. I think since he's been at UCLA the offense has been much better. A week and a half ago, Cronin wouldn't have been in my top 5. Now, I'd honestly put him in the Scott Drew/Dusty May category. I have to put Scott Drew #1 with the NCAA title and a much longer proven tack record, but I'd be thrilled if Indiana hired Cronin. Imagine what he could to with the resources here. Supposedly UCLA's aren't that great. I also think he has that personality and fire that we would like as a fan base. I like the emotion he shows on the sidelines. Watching Archie/Woodson coach the last 8 years has been something. All I'm saying is think about it...

I get it. He's a little odd. He isn't perfect and not my top choice. I just want to win. I'm tired of watching god awful basketball. If he's the "backup" I'm fine with that instead of an Archie Miller or Mike Woodson like hire.

one last item..IU is incredibly lucky to have Dusty May as an alumn. Look at UK and Louisville last year. All I heard was Dan Hurley to UK and Scott Drew to UL. They didn't hit "home runs" during their hire. Pope and Kelsey have done great so far. Point is, it's going to be really hard to get a very good coach to leave their current situation. Why I'm extremely happy that someone with the success of May, Cronin, McDermott would want to potentially come here.

There are several great candidates out there. I honestly feel like the pool is much better this time around compared to 2021. Sure I'd love Dusty May. He is the top option. But...Why does nobody want Cronin or McDermott? I'd be thrilled if Indiana got them. Cronin has won at places that don't have the resources like IU...yes I know it's UCLA but still. Once he got Cincy going they made the tournament every year. At UCLA in his second year they had a final four run. Two Sweet 16's the seasons after that. They look like a team that can make a run in March. His teams play hard. I also think his personality is EXACTLY what this program needs. Look how UCLA has done since he called the team out. McDermott did an incredible job taking Creighton from the MVC to the Big East. Starting in 2019-2020, Creighton has been a contender to compete for their conference championship and to make the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. I think they almost got to the Final 4...lost to San Diego State in a crazy game if I remember. I just don't get all the complaining. I'm sick and tired of watching this crappy play of basketball. As a fan, I want this team to contend for Big Ten Championships and make deep runs in March. Make it to the second weekend, anything can happen. Dusty May has proven he can do this. But so has Mick Cronin and Greg McDermott. I'd go as far to say IU is a top 20 team this year with either one of these guys coaching. Indiana probably isn't going to have a coach until late March. I'm trying my best to get behind this team and hope they can maybe make some kind of run. If not, I'll enjoy the rest of college basketball. I think Dolson will get this hire right. It just can't be Stevens or bust. Yes, he was my #1 choice. But he doesn't want to be here. I'll go: 1) May 2) Drew 3) Cronin 4) McDermott

Yeah, again, I think it's going to be "Brad Stevens has met with Indiana University about their upcoming vacant position. Talks are ongoing." Very similar to like Steichen being the Eagles OC while talking to the Colts...I don't think it officially "broke" until the day of the Super Bowl. Kellen Moore to the Saints is another example.