Papacap

Until he waits too long and loses his spot. If I’m Woodson, I’m not waiting around for Franklin to make a decision if another player wants on board.

I agree people can convince themselves of things. Human nature. But isn’t that what the Chicken Littles are doing here? I’m not talking about people questioning things. I’m talking about people saying this is lunacy and can’t work. For example, I have asked people who are dead set against this hire why they think Woodson won’t be able to recruit well other than he hasn’t been a college coach. Do they think he can’t recognize talent? That he can’t develop relationships with the players and parents? But I haven’t seen a good answer to those questions. It’s simply....kids don’t know who he is. As if kids today are too stupid to look up who he is. Yet people who are excited about this hire are the emotional ones trying to convince ourselves this will work. I’m not saying this is guaranteed to work. Nothing is. And I’m not saying Woodson should have been peoples first choice. But the minority of IU fans who think this hire is terrible are being just as emotional about this as people like me who are really excited.

OK, if you are aiming that high, I get it the disappointment for the last 3 hires. And the beauty of it is, results will determine this, so it’s not like we won’t find out if this will work.

No, I wouldn’t expect it to fail. It might fail. And I might think there were better options. But I wouldn’t expect it to fail. Because I don’t understand the thought that Woodson won’t be able to recruit. It’s not rocket science. It’s developing relationships. And I think Woodson will be able to do that. Am I guaranteeing it? No. But I think Woodson will be able to the type of players he wants. The last two hires, we selected coaches that made a deep run in the tourney and had some success at their school. Worked wonders for us. Guess we should have done that again based on the paper data you referenced.

And I’m trying to see why fans can’t get excited about this. Lunacy? No recruiting pull? Seems like better coaching? Can’t see it ending well? I get having questions. But I honestly don’t understand the intensity that some people feel this can’t work. Randy Quaid’s character in Major League had more optimism.

But based on his answer, I’m not sure he will beg all of them to stay. I think that will depend on if he thinks they are going to fit into what he wants to do.

Yeah, he is no Crean, that’s for sure.

I’m not saying you are wrong in your feelings. Because let’s face it, there is a huge subjective/emotional component to this. There are few coaches we could get that we could say, this is the guy who will get us where we need to be. Drew, Beard, Oats, Musselman....all of the coaches like those have their own question marks. I can see why someone would want them ahead of Woodson, but they are no where near sure things. Best guy for the job? I think Stevens was. But once you get past pipe dreams like Donovan, Wright or Bennett, the variance of outcomes becomes too great to say who’s the better choice. I’ll put it this way. I can see why someone would rather have Beard (or a college coach like him). What I can’t see is the argument that he would clearly outperform Woodson as HC of Indiana. That’s no where near a given to me. So going a different direction than the shiny new coach seems like a valid strategy this time. If folks are disappointed, I get it. But the level of angst I’m seeing from some people makes no sense to me.

I’m not trying to tell you how to feel about this, but I honestly don’t get the “devastated” position. Questioning it? Sure. But devastated? Do you think Woodson can’t develop and coach college players? Do you think he can’t create relationships with recruits and get them to buy into his vision? I get that he’s never coached college before. But to think that he’s going into this like a deer in headlights assumes the worse of all options. ive seen people say that no other P5 college would hire him. OK. But it’s not likely he would want to coach for another power 5 college. And how many college coaches would an NBA team hire as their head coach? A few. And while people like to say Woodson failed as an NBA head coach, taking two different teams to the playoffs isn’t child’s play. I think Woodson will develop a fundamentally sound team, I think he knows his Xs and Os, and will be able to connect with recruits. And while some don’t put a premium on this, he is an Indiana Guy who wants this job. Not just for the salary. But as a passion.

I didn’t realize he also coached big men at UCONN. According to the IU official site. That’s a big plus to me.

Off topic, but that was impressive by UCLA to have Bama hit that three, then come out smoking in the OT.

Well, I’m not going to pretend to know what he was thinking in terms of options. But if you mean coaches like Beard, Musselman, Drew, etc., I have zero problem if he decided, I’m going for Stevens. If I don’t get him, I’m going Woodson. What I’m not going to do is repeat the mistakes of Crean and Miller and go after a coach just because they have made a deep run in the tourney. I’m not saying getting any of those coaches would have been bad. I’m saying I think it’s a legitimate strategy to say, nope...not going to do the same things we have done that haven’t worked.

In terms of the process, those search committees we have used in the past worked well. I love the fact that Dolson said, this is my decision (I’m sure with tons of input), and he will make his stand with this hire. I’m not saying people can’t have their different opinions on Woody. But I love this process. Dolson showed some stones here.

Ouch. Maybe not.

Wait. I read from an impeachable authority that we went after Holtmann. So it must be true.

I have no idea how he coaches, but I’d really like Cheaney on the staff. The best recruiter we can get. Whoever that may be. I’m no expert in that. And a big man coach. If Roberts is the guy, I’m good with that.

We had a list of two. Stevens said, “Scott, I’d love to coach IU. But we all know Woody is the guy”. At least, it could have happened that way........

For anyone on the fence, this should put you squarely in the “great hire” column.

What about. Cheaney as an assistant without being the main recruiter? And then someone else as the main recruiter? Not sure what Cheaney’s long term goal is but would love to see him on the staff.

He improved the Hawks each year he was coach and too them to the playoffs. He’s the last Knicks coach to get them to the playoffs. I’m not saying he’s Phil Jackson. But you don’t spend that long in the NBA if you aren’t a good coach.

Fair take. And I’m guessing there will be some dynamic assistant coaches on staff.

I’ll take those 3. Would love Cheaney.

Yep. I was all for Crean and Miller. I bought into the concept of if they could do it there, they will be able to knock it out at IU. Give me an NBA coach who is an IU legend who wants to coach here. Along with a great basketball mind like Matta. And I’m sure they will add 3 good assistants. I’m stoked. I’ve been pretty apathetic for a while now. But this is awesome.

OK. Hiring Woodson is better than waiting in Musselman, Oats or beard.

Agree there. And I get the concern about lack of college experience. I just think the way the college game is going, this approach makes sense.