IU Prof

One thing that occurred to me today...if the Athletic Department is operating under the assumption Woodson will be back, doesn't someone need to offer public support at this point? The fact that Dolson hasn't given an interview backing him is potentially pretty damning, given the potential recruiting implications (Queen) of letting Woodson twist in the wind like this. Plus Woodson then becomes more defensive, throws players under the bus, etc., increasingly the likelihood of transfers, and decreasing the probability he can turn it around.

This is the biggest red flag to me for Pearl, if true. Edit: Now if the son stays behind at Auburn, that's a whole other matter.

I think this is a great point. There is no identity now for the program. You need to set the vision before you hire the coach.

Honest question for those who believe the problems at IU go much deeper than just a string of bad hires -- what is it that needs fixed, exactly, and why aren't those same issues preventing the women's team from succeeding?

I think this sums it up quite well.

I really don't mean to discount FAU's run last year, but I do think it's relevant to at least point out that the highest seed they played was a 3. I know others have mentioned they barely got by Memphis in the first round. That's still a great run, but drawing a 16 in the round of 32 was a huge advantage.

Crap, you're right. His original contract said the buyout would be the same as his remaining salary owed. And he just signed a $17+ million extension. So he's probably out. Bummer. P.S. It does drop by half if the AD leaves Iowa State. Probably won't happen, but you never know.

That's fair, but I think 2-22 to Sweet 16 is OMG. Especially with sustained success subsequently to show it wasn't a fluke. In arguably the nation's best conference.

He took over an Iowa Stare team that literally went 2-22 (0-18 in the Big 12) and had them in the Sweet 16 year one. Year two he was .500 in conference (with another NCAA Appearance), and Year 3 they are Top 10 in the country. Also wildly successful (and quickly) at SDSU. The UNLV stint wasn't great, admittedly. That's my biggest concern.

TJ Otzelberger

Why wouldn't you take that at IU? Yes it was a bit of a slow build, but presumably that would be quicker here with the portal, NIL, etc. After that, aside from a wonky COVID year, you can't ask for much better.

A few random thoughts: 1) I don't get the concern with Pearl's age. Yes you would ideally hire a guy who's going to be around for 20 years, but 6-8 is all you can realistically expect. Hell, 8 years ago was 3 coaching staffs ago here. He'll give you 6-8 barring something unforeseen. And he can win a championship here. 2) Nothing new here, but my biggest concern with retaining Woodson is that there are multiple problems he has to fix in one off-season. The problem is both (i) not enough talent and (ii) maximizing the talent he does have. IU needs better players, but even with this roster the team should be performing better. You can convince yourself one of those issues can be fixed in an off-season, but both is a stretch. 3) While Pearl, Oats, or May may well prevail, any coaching search that doesn't seriously kick the tires on TJ Otzelberger is missing the boat...

It's both.

Meanwhile, TJ Otzelberger has got Iowa State tied for first in the Big XII heading into tomorrow night's showdown vs. Houston. Just saying...

Can't find the extension agreement, but needless to say, his original contract with Auburn included no such clause: https://www.scribd.com/doc/228491265/Bruce-Pearl-s-six-year-contract-at-Auburn

We've talked a lot about how the rest of the season for IU could affect things...what about for FAU? Put differently, if Dusty gets them back to another E8 or F4, does that cement his status as the next Brad Stevens in the minds of many, and force IU's hand?

I wonder how much a Purdue Final Four run, or heaven forbid a championship, would alter the calculus for IU. As Ohio State's reaction to Michigan's national title shows, few things can motivate a school to step its game up quite like your arch rival winning big. Maybe something to think about for those hoping we change directions this off-season.

That's all totally fair. Again, though, I give Otzelberger the edge because he has won at the P5 level. Schertz hasn't.

Schertz may very well have a successful career, but he's a bigger gamble at this point than Otzelberger. Aside from the fact he's already in the state, I'm not sure why you'd take the guy who's never coached above the mid-major level over the guy who has won big at Iowa State.

Why not T. J. Otzelberger? Won at SDSU, had one blip season at UNLV, and then has won three straight years at Iowa State. Took over a team that had just gone 2-22 and took them to the Sweet 16 his first year in Ames. Returned to the dance last year, top 15 KenPom this year with elite defensive metrics. If you can win in the Big XII at Iowa State, the sky is the limit with IU's resources. Plus he's young, and Midwestern to boot. Seems like exactly the sort of guy a school like IU should be targeting. Proven at the P5 level, but at a place where IU would still be a huge promotion. Young enough to be the guy for 2+ decades if all works out.

Galloway. Can be a tenacious defender, and showed some flashes of being able to effectively slash to the rim. With more space in Woodson's offense, I think Galloway will be a much more productive offensive player. I also suspect his 3 point touch will improve as well. Phinisee would be my second choice. Dude was lights out his first semester, then the concussion, then the lack of confidence. If Woodson can get his head straight he's an all-B1G caliber player still, I really believe.

Agree with those that would be disappointed to lose Galloway. Two other thoughts: 1) If I recall, MSU was recruiting Galloway pretty hard. Doesn't mean Fife would necessarily remain high in him, but I would be a little surprised if he were pushed out. 2) If Brooks did come, and if the staff were able to develop him into an NBA draft pick, that would be quite the recruiting boost: "We got a guy to the league that Calipari couldn't." Could definitely pay dividends down the road.

The teammate sounds like a true 5. Not sure how he would fit unless they think TJD is going to play the stretch 4 -- which I think is a stretch (no pun intended).

I was one that was skeptical of whether Woodson would be able to recruit at the level necessary to win in the B1G. And to me, just convincing guys to stay, or getting a player in Johnson who already had a long-time relationship with Kenya, while nice, wasn't super convincing. It's different to come in and convince a kid with whom your staff and school doesn't already have a strong relationship. Bates is a game changer in that regard. Not only is he just the type of recruit that we should be focused on rating-wise, but his recruitment was wide open. To seal the deal with him so quickly is very impressive. Definitely bodes well for the future.

I realize this is not going to be a popular opinion, but I'm surprised at how unpolished Woodson comes across. His personality is so sleepy, and in this interview the only player from the current roster he name dropped was the guy who left (Franklin), rather than any of the guys who stayed. Strange. Woodson is certainly going to be an interesting case study on whether personality or pedigree win out on the recruiting trail. I worry about whether more dynamic coaches are going to recruit circles around him. Hopefully he proves me wrong!