Moye > Boozer

A couple possibilities ...... - they (Dolson and Co.) wanted to fill the assistant roles - they wanted Thad to modernize his offense (my bet) If either of these or something similar is true (and could be WAY WAY off), then we might have a real problem on our hands. Coaches don't ascend to these heights by not doing it "their way." Dolson said in his presser he didn't want to "micromanage the program" but at the same time said he wants a "certain style of play." I'm all for the certain style of play he is referring to but I don't want Dolson acting like Jerry Jones either!! "Thad, we want you to have the job but want you to do it our way." Absolute speculation, but many hierarchies in sports have trended this direction over the last decade ---- where the #1 factor in hiring a coach is for that individual to be an extension of the "front office". Don't know that works with the egos we're talking about. But would certainly explain a potential hire like Woodson IMO. If it does go that direction I hope hope hope Dolson knows what he's doing ..... he'll need to.

And a small but growing number of us would also be happy with Oats

I like that coach in waiting aspect accompanying a Beilein hire!! No problem with Beilein at all if Oats, Muss, Beard, and Drew are out.

Well give it a try tomorrow Woodenshoe!!! Pool opens at 8am!

We're fanatics and some of us are suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder and addictive personalities which manifests in different ways -- one being the umbilical cord to this site. But I will say, I have had more fun interacting and speculating on the future of IU basketball with these fine patrons the past few days than I have had watching IU actually play basketball for the better part of 20 years now. The "new coaching search" has sadly supplanted our March Madness. It has become our super bowl or world cup. It's all we have that gives us any glimmer of hope that IU will one day return to something --- anything --- close to resembling the sporting glories of years past. And I am here for it (obviously). Now, anyone looking for actual news ...... don't bother. We'll know when we know!

And around we go!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA Sorry WOODENSHOEMAN!!!!!!

The more I consider this, I really think we can eliminate Beard because he is not offense-minded enough (and I think Dolson is looking for an offense recruits can get excited about) AND I'd speculate Drew is eliminated based on past indiscretions (right or wrong). That leaves Musselman, Oats and Beilein at strong odds IMO. I'd even push to 90%. Dolson goes hard after Muss and Oats post-tourney and has Beilein (with CC, Lewis, etc. on the bench) as the ultimate fallback. Probably could even take this a step further and disqualify Oats based on his buyout (though I personally hope not). That leaves Muss and Beilein. Finally I can stop thinking about this for a few hours ........

I might firmly be on the "Dolson is a genius train" ...... chum the waters with a $7M a year offer and let the sharks come to you

That's absolutely the type of thing Dolson needs to know.

Also, I know there was some previous talk of Adidas not being "cool" amongst teens and that somehow limiting Indiana but amidst all the rumors, speculation, etc. I can tell you one thing is absolutely true ----- Adidas is very very cool amongst teens. They all want the Adidas Boost as their everyday sneakers (or at least one of their everyday sneakers). I actually think it's Indiana's "tradition" that probably does not allow Adidas to flex their creative muscles when it comes to designing jerseys and shorts that would maybe appeal more to today's youngsters a la some of the Nike schools. Heck even Notre Dame football lets Under Armour have a little fun.

INTERESTING ....... pulling a new household name ---- Nate Oats ---- from a rival branded school Alabama (Nike). That'd be a baller move on the part of Adidas ..... and IU!!! I like it!

no expectations Captain! Just false hope

Alternate universe than the one we experienced last weekend but one I so wish is actually this universe: Dolson: "Tracy, you interested? $7M a year for 7 years?" Tracy: "Brad needs to see what happens at the deadline. Whether Celtics buy or sell or stand pat. If they don't buy, give him a couple days and we're in." The 27th also gives us a chance to steal the headlines once again during the actual tournament games. please please please

I hear ya T White and I was being a bit dramatic. Point is I want someone with serious passion for winning, which I believe both of those guys exude. But putting aside what I want for just a brief second, let's consider what the recruits want ...... interesting how it seems to point at the same conclusion

Just piling on my near ravenous Nate Oats fandom ------ I actually would prefer him so much more than Muss because I don't want the guy that jumps on the table and says "look at me" after victory ---- I want the guy that tells the other team "get the **** outta here". Again, I know I've mentioned that dang article 15x now, but having read that article BEFORE IU fired Archie, then listening to Dolson's presser, I thought "holy smokes, Dolson must've read that article" because Nate Oats is the exact coach he is talking about (at least the exact TYPE of coach).

I'll also add, the way Dolson spoke of the second donor covering "transition costs" or whatever his vernacular was lead me to think ---- transition cost = "buyout of the new coach's existing contract" ----- more than it meant ponying up for the next coach's annual salary. Any of you take it the same way? Again, not saying that's how he meant it but more how I took it. $12M might be extreme. Though I hope not!!

Semantics about what is truly considered "innovative" ----- a sandwich shop that just makes the same old sandwiches but does it a heckuva lot faster??? Worked okay for Jimmy Johns. A TV series that is based on recording people's everyday lives? Worked okay for the Kardashians (don't ask me how I know) and the zillion other reality TV shows. There is something truly "innovative" about Oats, however. And here's the quote from the article: "I think a lot of people don't get it," Oats told CBS Sports. "Some coaches think you can't play fast and still be great on D. Well, no. You can. Offensive pace shouldn't dictate defensive effort." I'd say that concept would play pretty well in Bloomington, don't ya think???

I don't want to belabor a point and I posted this article a couple hours ago about Oats, but if anyone reads it, you'll see what Oats really has working for him is ......... AN ACTUAL WINNING PLAN. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/ball-oats-how-alabama-became-an-sec-powerhouse-overnight-on-its-way-to-possibly-changing-college-basketball/ Some people, including Scott Dolson, refer to this as "vision". Other people refer to it as "culture" ------ all the same thing really. It's about establishing a "true north" direction for something ---- a company, a non-profit, a sports organization, etc. and it is what ultimately leads to establishing a BRAND or IDENTITY (something else Dolson spoke of though he couldn't really articulate what the IU identity was when asked). And THAT is what we need. Dolson said as much in his press conference ---- someone who has a vision and someone who can convince Dolson of an ability to put it into action. It's the same reason the Cubs hired Theo. He had a plan to build a winning culture from the inside out. A world series and however many playoff appearances in a row and he obviously accomplished what he set out to do. So I cannot dismiss Oats for that simple reason. Especially because he did it quickly. But I will happily accept anybody --- including those with Hoosier ties --- who understand this concept and who can actually DO WHAT THEY CLAIM THEY CAN.

For any up and coming Nate Oats fans, here's the CBS article profiling him from a few weeks back. I specifically like his multiple references to NOT running Bobby Knight motion in today's game ----- looks like somebody growing up in the midwest was paying attention. Anyway great article about how he has used math / analytics / advanced analytical scouting to give his team advantages. Don't think he's coming but he would be my clear number 2 ------ and the way he yelled at the LSU bench to "get the **** outta here" after the SEC championship game and his penchant for plaid jackets he does remind me of someone. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/ball-oats-how-alabama-became-an-sec-powerhouse-overnight-on-its-way-to-possibly-changing-college-basketball/

Appreciate it, Chris!

Could someone perhaps illuminate us newbies on whose wife it is we're talking about???? (though I do typically try to avoid talking about the wives of others : )

One thing I’ll say about why Stevens should be considering the job is “lifetime earnings,” and it’s kind of interesting because you rarely hear anyone talk about it. By turning down IU, he’s not walking away from $7M per year over 7 years or whatever we think the offer might have been. He’s actually walking away from $7M a year for 20 to 25 years. $140M to $170M!!!!! He’s not going to be the coach of the Celtics for 20 more years. And his next NBA stop isn’t going to pay him $7M a year (I don’t think). It’s just like Fitzgerald at Northwestern. Dude can stay there forever. Stevens isn’t being offered a lifetime contract by IU (we don’t think) but at the same time he kind of is. Do I think he’s coming? No. But for what could ultimately be $140M to $170M I think he’d be crazy NOT to.

Nony, do you think (or are you perhaps hearing) they want to talk to Porter????

So Dolson has made it clear that he wants an NBA-style offense ...... is that because he thinks it's the best way to lure top talent or because "modern" offense is the best way to win games at the college level? I realize it could very well be both, but the difference really does speak to Dolson's vision for the program ----- is IU a "destination school" for the 4 and 5 stars (if so we know who we'll be competing with) or is IU a place where kids can commit for 4 years and win that doesn't necessarily require the top talent? Putting it more succinctly are we: 1) Hoping we can get a coach who can consistently recruit NBA talent 2) Hoping we can get a coach who can develop kids and ultimately win at the college level with lesser talent (not necessarily future NBA players) but kids who play hard and play with a high basketball IQ on both ends of the floor? I have no concern with Woodson as a candidate overall, except I believe that puts Dolson's vision firmly in the "1" camp ----- and if we're trying to be Kentucky or Duke while running a clean program I say good luck. I think the Dolson thesis may be mistaken if that's the case. Hope to be wrong if that's the direction we go and certainly am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Bummer. Feel like he would be a good fit. Thanks for the update!