General Coach Candidate News

[Chris007]

2 minutes ago, OKHOOSIER said:

I’ve really warmed in McCollum after watching their last 6 games or so, I think slow offense has us all getting flashbacks of Archie and pounding it inside over and over with MW. The Drake offensive movement is very pleasing and almost always leads to a good look. I also would expect Dolson to surround him with the people needed to make a transition like this. Hell, he tried for Woody who ran them off. I’m sure McCollum knows where he needs help adjusting and I would trust Dolson to make it happen. I’d be pretty excited to see who the assistants/GM would be with that hire. 

I have watched the last few games. His offense is fun to watch. They move the ball really well. But I would have some concerns.

Only 1 year at D1 level and never recruited like he will have to at IU are a couple off the top of my head

[maxwell]

21 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

I agree with some that nothing has changed on my end and that there has been a deal for the big dog for a while but if it goes south then McCollum is the backup plan. 

This would be  awesome. Thanks Much!

[Ctf9]

24 minutes ago, LamarCheeks said:

Did Dolson actually say he wants a hire similar to the Cig route -- or is that just speculation? 

 

Pete Thamel has done two brief ESPN appearances where he described Dolson’s thinking based on talking to Dolson. I really wish we had written articles because, like with the Goodman Brad tweet, it’s hard to know how much you can lean on the language. 
 

That said, Thamel said Dolson wants a Cignetti hire, adding that this means: strong confidence, a playing style with identity, a strong culture, embracing the portal, and lots of wins on his record. 
 

Thamel never said Division I wins. Honestly the criteria for McCollum pretty closely. 

Edited March 10, 2025 by Ctf9

[Indynorthsider]

Just now, Chris007 said:

I have watched the last few games. His offense is fun to watch. They move the ball really well. But I would have some concerns.

Only 1 year at D1 level and never recruited like he will have to at IU are a couple off the top of my head

After watching his offense/playing style the only concern I have is the time in D1. I was worried about the offense or style but watching them this tournament, I could handle that.

[LamarCheeks]

29 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

I agree with some that nothing has changed on my end and that there has been a deal for the big dog for a while but if it goes south then McCollum is the backup plan. 

Going the Toiletmakers alum route worked for our women's program, so hey -- why not? 

Although his lack of coaching experience is a concern. LOL! 

 

[IU05]

7 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

Only got happier so to say. But most haven't said anything because their not allowed to. 

The interesting part about this is that there are two posters on Peegs who have hinted at it still being Stevens, with some renewed optimism last week. Since then, they've gone completely radio silent. 

[Home Jersey]

Ben McCollum or bust

[CSP]

2 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

I have watched the last few games. His offense is fun to watch. They move the ball really well. But I would have some concerns.

Only 1 year at D1 level and never recruited like he will have to at IU are a couple off the top of my head

not sure that's as relevant as identifying talent, not sure at what level he can do that, but he clearly can at the D2 and lower D1 levels. The same as Cig

[OKHOOSIER]

1 minute ago, Chris007 said:

I have watched the last few games. His offense is fun to watch. They move the ball really well. But I would have some concerns.

Only 1 year at D1 level and never recruited like he will have to at IU are a couple off the top of my head

Agree 100%, that’s where Dolson comes to play I think. Surround him with experience, particularly with high major recruiting and roster building. 
 

I will say I’m not as concerned about it as I would have been 5-6 years ago. We can pay, I expect us to exploit it. If Woody can get 5 million to roster build and not recruit. I can’t imagine the funds that would flow in for someone averaging 25 wins a year. 
 

“Why should I play for you coach?”

McCollum-“Well I win 80% of my games, but also IU will pay you an extra 100k over your best offer.” 
 

[Tasmanian Devil]

3 minutes ago, Certified Sunshine Pumper said:

not sure that's as relevant as identifying talent, not sure at what level he can do that, but he clearly can at the D2 and lower D1 levels. The same as Cig

Agree here. When you look at what he brought with him from his previous job and then while he is at Drake he’s done a remarkable job..

 

[EasyEJay]

1 minute ago, Chris007 said:

I have watched the last few games. His offense is fun to watch. They move the ball really well. But I would have some concerns.

Only 1 year at D1 level and never recruited like he will have to at IU are a couple off the top of my head

My biggest issue comes from him doing what he is doing in the Mo Valley. A conference that lost its 2 best coaches (Schertz and DeVires) its probably the 4th or 5th best Mid-major conference. heck Schertz bodied the entire Mo Valley last year with offense and he finished 6th in the A-10? 

The last time we heard about unique systems was Archie's famed pack-line defense......... also systems Brad Underwood brought with him at first to Illinois it been talked about how he realized in the big ten uniqueness wasn't enough to win and he had to change the way he did things. So that would be another thing to think about can McCollum adapt if his system doesn't work in arguably the best conference with he best coaches in the nation 

[Hoosierfan2017]

29 minutes ago, dwtaylor1055 said:

Shoot for the moon with Stevens and if it doesn't work, we likely end up with one of the best up and coming coaches on the circuit?  I think that's a win/win imo.  

Shoot for the pie in the sky candidate who was never coming to IU and then fall back to the D2 guy when that doesn’t work out. I see Dolson still hasn’t learned the art of the backup plan. 

[BGleas]

I came across this Tweet over the weekend and thought the replies were really interesting. 

Of course guys like Sampson, Izzo, Jay Wright, etc., are getting most of the mentions, but Ben McCollum's name is getting a lot mentions as well. 

Says a lot IMO given that the guy is in his first year as a D1 coach. We don't know how he's handle the step up of course, but there's no much debating that the guy can coach, develop identity and build a winning culture. 

https://x.com/CoachWolfson/status/1898484485035081905?t=NUIErYLGC-Gt1n9JBDiCLA&s=19

[OKHOOSIER]

3 minutes ago, Certified Sunshine Pumper said:

not sure that's as relevant as identifying talent, not sure at what level he can do that, but he clearly can at the D2 and lower D1 levels. The same as Cig

Great point. Also if he makes a run to the Sweet Sixteen or better, he’s going to be the hottest name on the market at the mid major level. 

[TadQueasy]

18 minutes ago, RoadToZion said:

Definitely not Brownell……….

[The Big Cig]

4 minutes ago, IU05 said:

The interesting part about this is that there are two posters on Peegs who have hinted at it still being Stevens, with some renewed optimism last week. Since then, they've gone completely radio silent. 

I think the timing of the Goodman info drops are interesting.  Both times, they came after a groundswell of chatter from the fanbase that BS is coming to IU.  It may mean nothing but it could also be to calm things down until the season is over.  May be wishful thinking on my part but until it comes directly from BS himself I’ll hold out hope.

[Hoosier987]

14 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

I have watched the last few games. His offense is fun to watch. They move the ball really well. But I would have some concerns.

Only 1 year at D1 level and never recruited like he will have to at IU are a couple off the top of my head

Huge concerns…again, hopefully we don’t get to this point and I don’t think we will. 

[Hoosier987]

1 minute ago, The Big Cig said:

I think the timing of the Goodman info drops are interesting.  Both times, they came after a groundswell of chatter from the fanbase that BS is coming to IU.  It may mean nothing but it could also be to calm things down until the season is over.  May be wishful thinking on my part but until it comes directly from BS himself I’ll hold out hope.

I could see why someone would think like this. Valid.

[EasyEJay]

5 minutes ago, OKHOOSIER said:

Agree 100%, that’s where Dolson comes to play I think. Surround him with experience, particularly with high major recruiting and roster building. 
 

I will say I’m not as concerned about it as I would have been 5-6 years ago. We can pay, I expect us to exploit it. If Woody can get 5 million to roster build and not recruit. I can’t imagine the funds that would flow in for someone averaging 25 wins a year. 
 

“Why should I play for you coach?”

McCollum-“Well I win 80% of my games, but also IU will pay you an extra 100k over your best offer.” 
 

" Well sorry coach that other program has produced Multiple NBA draft picks." 

I know Woodson is a lazy recruiter BUT he was a HC in the NBA and coached guys like Josh Smith and Carmelo Anthony. And produced draft picks in TJD and JHS. Transfer Portal recruits and prep kids take that into consideration in addition to the money. McCollum won't have that. 

[Demo]

33 minutes ago, dwtaylor1055 said:

curious on the wade comment.  care to elaborate more?

Sure. If there’s any program in CBB that isn’t hiring the guy coming off the show cause for cheating and then lying to NCAA investigators about it, it’s the program that was burned to cinders by a guy doing that exact same thing. Seriously, if someone told me that IU had a presser set up to announce the new HC and wasn’t sure but it’s either Jon Scheyer or Will Wade my response would be, “Holy $hit, Jon Scheyer’s leaving Duke!’