IU Prof

Thanks for these. The fact that he specified that he really misses the teaching aspect of coaching in this second one certainly suggests someone who might prefer college to pro coaching.

For continuity purposes. It's not like he'd be leaving for a rival.

My guess is that if Dolson has a nonbinding agreement with Brad, they've agreed he'd get through the waiver deadline in March before making anything official. I'd be surprised if anything leaked before then, beyond the message board rumors here. Could be wrong, though!

Because there's no reason for him to do so. He hasn't been asked publicly about the job since last April, as far as I can tell. Until the waiver deadline of March 1st, he's still got a job to do in Boston. Plus I don't think IU wants to announce anything yet...this is already enough of a clown show. My guess is that if it's Brad, you hear something shortly after IU's season concludes. If the first weekend of the NCAA tournament begins and we still don't have a coach, that likely means it's someone still actively coaching. Either way, it's going to be a long wait.

I kind of feel like if Stevens was a non-starter, the administration would be trying to tamp that speculation down ASAP, to avoid setting the eventual hire up for a disappointing reception. Especially after last time around.

Technically, we'd probably want to permission just to ensure the Celtics didn't sue for contractual interference. But as a practical matter, I can't see them doing that, so I doubt it would matter. Edit: But that would probably apply more to a finalized contract phase. We wouldn't be tampering just by engaging in preliminary talks, since that's just an NBA rule.

No. Matt Painter did, and I doubt he's coming here, though. The point is just it isn't an absolutely perfect analogy. There are also differences that run in the other direction. Harbaugh hadn't won a Super Bowl when he went back, while Stevens has won an NBA Championship, which favors us.

Understood. I wasn't trying to say that Stevens doesn't have ample reason to potentially want to come to IU. Just that it's a slightly different situation than Harbaugh who starred at UofM and grew up in Ann Arbor, and also was on the outs at his NFL job. But, again, overall I still think it's a good analogy!

I get Brad's attachment. I'm just saying it's not like his dad coached on the staff or that Brad led IU to a Big Ten title and Rose Bowl.

The Harbaugh-Stevens parallel isn't perfect. Jim went to HS in Ann Arbor and obviously played at UofM, while Brad never lived or played here. Plus Jim, unlike Brad was quickly wearing it his welcome with the 49ers at the time. All that said, I do think it's nevertheless a really good analogy in terms of media skepticism about how a pro coach would never voluntarily lower himself to return to the college game. Hopefully the story ends the same way here (without the 9 year roller coaster ride to win a championship, of course).

Is Cronin a good coach? Absolutely. Would he be an upgrade over the last 8 years? Almost assuredly. Would he hang a banner here? I'd put the odds at comfortably under 50%. Which probably isn't good enough unless we strike out on 5 or 6 other guys.

We know Brad was Dolson's top choice last time. If, and that's still a big IF, Dolson does truly have his guy in the fold, then I'd be shocked if it wasn't Stevens. I doubt Jerry'd have said, twice, "it's all happening" in reference to Dusty or Mick. Add to this the fact Trilly said he hadn't heard any buzz with IU doing backchannelling to college coaches, which is consistent with targeting an NBA guy. To be clear, I'm not saying I think it is Brad. Just that he's the only plausible candidate if our guy is already in the bag.

Ok, who's heading out to the airport tomorrow to collect intel?

After that press conference today, I don't think there's much of a doubt he'd take it if offered.

Food for thought... Dusty May, Year One at UofM, currently 18-5, tied for 1st in the B1G, KenPom #20 (previous season 8-24). Chris Beard, Year One at Ole Miss, finished 20-12, 10th in the SEC, KenPom #86 (previous season 12-21).

If wasting that year bought the time we needed to lock down Brad Stevens, then it wasn't a waste...

I don't think he has. There are stories about how he tried to quit drinking, but couldn't pull it off: https://www.outkick.com/sports/texas-basketball-coach-chris-beard-is-once-again-drinking-beer

Completely agree. I was luke warm on Dusty last year, but this year has answered a lot of my questions. Plus I believe Beilein was heavily involved in consulting on UofM's search last Spring, and quickly identified May as the guy. That says a lot to me as well.

Not gonna lie, the "Banned from McNutt" tier made me laugh.

One last time, for old time's sake...time to let Woody cook.

Not my top choice by any stretch, but there could certainly be worse outcomes. Much worse.

Man, it is really quiet after all the activity yesterday. It feels like either everything is wrapped up and they are just waiting until later afternoon for an announcement, or else something went seriously off the rails.

13 days after Archie was fired felt like an eternity. I can't imagine what 40+ days will be like...

They're heading out to pick up Steve Kerr to be top assistant...