PB1230

Stuff like the private jet is more about offsetting lack of regional recruiting prospects - in the last 5 years, Marquette has only had commits from one player in state and 2 from a neighboring state. Plus its financially feasible because they likely aren't in the market for big money coaches

Is IU still one of the top programs in the country - no. Is IU still one of the best jobs in the country - yes, because the perception of the program will turn on a dime if you start winning because everything else is already built in and establish

So are you saying this is how IU's coaching search ends

I think you are correct, and why I think Beilein AS the associate coach to a more inexperienced head coach/IU guy is more plausible than the other way around

Also, I think that I'd rather see Lewis or Fife as head coach before Calbert if we are talking former IU players

If Calbert, then pay Beilein whatever it takes to be his top assistant, and to be the equivalent of Martelli for Howard at Mich

Agree somewhat that Crean might have been better at talent development than Archie, however, I think that could be that Crean had a better eye for underdeveloped talent and/or took more risks with recruiting

While Drew does get some national recruits, he still builds heavily around Texas and other regional players. Sure IU doesn't need only Indiana HS recruits, but Drew isn't the type and successful of recruiter that could build a team at IU without Indiana/AAU HS players

Something I have been considering is that if during the first go around, Dolson offers Stevens, Stevens considers and is maybe on track to agreeing to terms, but after talking to the Celtics/Ainge, says no but doesn't completely shut the door on a counter offer In this case, Dolson's play could be to interview other candidates and get close to offering, then reach back out to Stevens with a counter offer but say that he has 48 hrs to make a decision or IU is going with this other guy. This puts IU in a better bargaining position with Stevens, and rather than spend 2 weeks going back and forth with Stevens as the sole candidate, IU doesn't have to start at square one if Stevens still says no

When was the last time he recruited anyone from the midwest

Also, I think there is some talk that Drew had burned a lot bridges and isn't looked upon favorably within the Indiana HS/AAU community, which is unrelated to the Hanner situation

If Cheaney, then pay Beilein 1-2 million to be an assistant

Is Adidas one of the two anonymous donors?

Also, I don't think any transfers would happen until after the semester ends, even if a player decides to go somewhere. I think that to be eligible to play you need to be in good academic standing for consecutive semesters, and transferring mid semester creates a gap

Mullin had never been a coach, head or assistant, at any level, and was 15 years removed from playing/on court activities. And I wouldn't say that Ewing has failed - yet. Ewing made the tournament this season in year 4, and overall he's improved Georgetown slightly from when Thompson III left.

And by that time, he also had not been a major contributor on any team for at least 8 years