KathywithaC

Scott likely has a list of coaches that he’d be interested in for every sport we play, including basketball, so he’s very diligent in that respect. I was just pushing back on the notion that he’s ready to move Mike out or that he’s contemplating moving him out or that he’s planning three months out for that eventuality. He isn’t. Having contingencies is a part of any endeavor, but there’s a process for how these things get done within IU, and Scott knows that process quite well. There’s no groundswell against Mike right now from the stakeholders who are a part of this, just like there wasn’t last Spring when people wanted Woodson gone. They’re going to let the season play out, they’ll evaluate along the way, and then they’ll decide. But the notion that Scott has wanted to pull the trigger on Mike simply isn’t true.

I understand that people don’t want to believe or accept that, but there’s a way this will all very, very likely transpire.

If that’s how the season goes, I’ll be surprised if he comes back, but I’ll be equally surprised if anything is done until after the season ends.

I can tell you that “getting Woody out” hasn’t been on SD’s radar at all. He wants us to be a much better program and wants Mike to lead us there, but he’s not secretly planning to get rid of him, and he never has been.

If we don’t play much better, the conference will present many scary games.

Scott Dolson was a basketball manager during the Knight era . . . “Bigger issues” happened away from the limelight with some regularity. The Woody - Ya thing was Square Dancing during Gym Class.

Not saying it couldn’t happen but it’s not happening now, or really any time before the conference season has a chance to fully develop. There is a deliberate pace that governs here, and they aren’t going to deviate from it. We’re going to play in the College Football Playoff, and that’s going to have everyone’s attention for the next few weeks. January through March will be the time for SD and others to focus on the basketball program. The hill will be steep but the financial support isn’t wavering yet. This remains a decision based on recommendations and consensus among several people, and there isn’t any momentum away from Mike right now.

A job change is not on SD’s radar. I realize that’s frustrating for some, but that isn’t on the stove right now.

The likelihood of him being fired during the season is remote, period. Were it to even be considered, it would be a March time frame unless, of course, there were transgressions (academic and / or legal issues) that occurred. A bad week in the Bahamas was a concerning message that we aren’t where we need to be, but this isn’t even on SD’s radar right now. That said, I can tell you that everyone understands we need to have a very good season or there will be changes. And while this remains a decision with multiple stakeholders involved, it’s my clear sense that there’s alignment on how the season needs to transpire for people to feel good about continuing forward with the status quo. I wouldn’t put too much stock in comparing hoops to football, but it’s well known that most days Cignetti goes to work in the dark and heads home in the dark, regardless of the time of year. He talks the talk, but he definitely walks the walk, and he expects the coaches and players to do so, as well. He’s also highly organized, efficient and purposeful in everything he does. Little wasted energy or effort, and a very clear sense of direction in all that goes on around the program. Not saying Mike isn’t any of those things, but when your results aren’t what you’d like, it’s probably not a bad idea to at least appear to be working really hard in an attempt to make things better, and maybe demonstrate a sense of urgency in your attitude and demeanor. I’ll leave it at that but can assure you people have noticed a difference, and it matters. Will share more later.

Haven’t posted here but enjoy reading, and I’ve been an IU football fan since my earliest days as a toddler in Bloomington. First off, Cignetti is the real thing. I’ve been around him in several settings and he’s extremely bright, highly focused, is personable without being a little over the top like Tom Allen could be, and has a young, enthusiastic staff. We really got it right by hiring him. When he spoke to one of our groups, he said they knew immediately they would have to overhaul the roster, as we couldn’t win with what we had. He didn’t elaborate, but I took it to mean we needed both a talent and attitude change, or the losing would continue. I’ve had some people say that we need to be patient and that’s probably true, but he never once said that. He said the players coming in will all either start or be big contributors, and he doesn’t care if that upsets the returning guys. He said the best guys play and that competition is what they want. They also want fan support. He talked about how much of it they had at James Madison, and that the players and coaches appreciated it very much. Said it was a family atmosphere, including the fans, and he wants that at IU. For the season, I’m predicting 5-7, with the three out of conference games as W’s and MSU and Northwestern as our conference wins. I think we’ll battle throughout and will be close in many of our games though, so we could do better, especially if we stay healthy. Injuries, particularly at quarterback, OL and DL, will be our Achilles. Go Hoosiers.

People who are dismissing this don’t know any of the people involved. The descriptions of MW and SD and their behaviors is dead on. As for Woody, he and Brian Evans aren’t buddies. Won’t go into to detail but I’m sure you know that BE’s pod appearance and comments aren’t the first time he’s been outspoken about MW. There’s some history, and they aren’t pals.

Defending Woody is really strange, even if those guys are strange ducks. They were also devoted fans who gave a great deal of support to the program and didn’t deserve the bullying they got. Coaches can be odd people.

Once again, it was someone else who trashed the program. You need to listen to the podcast.

So they didn’t openly call for him to be fired? Kind of what others have said. I did hear him say they expressed frustration during our annual conference swoon, but they were hardly alone. Not sure why Woodson decided to do this, but it’s poor form, though not unexpected.

Did they say it? If so, can you link the podcast?

Is it true that they openly called for him to be fired? Presumably this occurred on their podcast, so would like to hear what they said. Thanks.

No, I won’t be a bit surprised. I remember the bad blood that existed between a former revenue sport coach at IU and almost all of the other coaches on campus, men and women. A few of them were none too shy about what they thought, and you’re hearing a similar tune about MW. In a relatively small community, people talk.

Woody’s issue is with Brian Evans and the other basketball alums who have criticized him, he just chose to take it out on these guys. Their style is way too over the top for me, but they love the program. Maybe they just aren’t “true fans”.

I didn’t say BE was the sole reason but he was obviously a big part of it, since Woody used his comments on their podcast as the basis for his anger. And instead of taking it up with Brian, he bullies the two guys who spent a good portion of their spare time and money promoting the program. And as I’m sure you know, this isn’t the first time Woody has lashed out at others for allegedly disloyal behavior. There are more than a few whom he’s blamed. With his level of performance over the first three seasons of his tenure, you’d think he’d be focused on more important things. Will be interesting to see if more comes out, as there certainly are some rumors about how some aspects of the program are being run.

They didn’t bite anyone’s hand, Brian Evans did. They weren’t critical of Woody, Brian Evans was. Woody is blaming the valet guy who parked his car for the bad dinner, rather than the chef or the waiter. The petty bullying part is what has so many people inside IU shaking their heads. Those guys could’ve been kicked to the curb by an email or a phone call. Instead, he summoned one of them to come to Bloomington from Los Angeles and, with his “boss” present, did it in person. That’s remarkable.

This is about Woody being petty to a couple of fans who’ve done nothing but support the program. He bullied them out the door over a perceived act of disloyalty, which was nothing more than having Brian Evans come on their podcast and say what several other basketball alumni have been saying for a couple of years. Woody won’t want to say any more about this because he doesn’t understand or care how it makes him look, but others aren’t so willing to ignore it.

Goofy or not, they’re true dyed-in-the-wool fans, and they really live for IU basketball. They aren’t vindictive because they love IU, and they aren’t so mad that they’ll try to hurt their school. I don’t know them but have been told that they’re more childlike than childish, and that they’re often forgiven for their crazy behavior because they’re heartfelt in their support of IU. Believe me, Dolson tried to keep this quiet, and that was one of the reasons why.

Would your view extend to the head basketball coach?

I don’t think it’s as simple as Woody “not being allowed to provide a public rebuttal.” If he doesn’t say anything, it’s because he decided to not address it. Put another way, no one is trying to keep him quiet, and no one will even try to do that.

I’m surprised they went public with this since Dolson tried very hard to keep this quiet. There may be more, from other people, than just this podcast.