General Coach Candidate News

[Hoosierfan1901 6,905]

https://x.com/bball_war3/status/1893441515315167337?s=46&t=0mbJ_TT4MQ8KZKv29ZqhSg

[coonhounds 9,935]

https://x.com/bball_war3/status/1893441515315167337?s=46&t=0mbJ_TT4MQ8KZKv29ZqhSg

Praying

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[AZ Hoosier 9,038]

37 minutes ago, southernindianahoosier2 said:

So lets say, It is Brad and he's signed pen to paper.... How long until press release / We find out?

 

at least 5 more games... maybe a few more if the Wizard of Broad Ripple gets hot.

[Ponduke 28]

Has this guy been discussed yet? He's obviously never done it at the D1 level but still, his record is amazing. 

Jim Crutchfield 

https://nsusharks.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jim-crutchfield/3230

532-85 career record (.862) - highest winning percentage among coaches at any level in NCAA history

[RoadRage 2,571]

19 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Yeah, sure, but how his recruiting?

It would be really impressive if Brownell was winning for a year in a mid-major without attracting a single two star or better recruit in his entire career. (snark)

Because we’ve got that option apparently.

Brownell is so much better prepared for IU than McCollum it boggles my mind that people would feel differently. Putting McCollum in charge of an enterprise the size of IUBB would be like naming a successful McDonald’s regional manager as CEO. It might work, but no one in their right mind would take that risk.

And the ceiling for McCollum, Brownell, Cronin, and others at IU is the same; national champion. It’s just that some have an extensive resume that already shows they can be successful as a P5 coach.

I posted that link to Ray Harper’s resume because he was seven time D2 national coach of the year with multiple d2 championships. Then he went to WKy and had a very good first few years. Then he slowly faded because he couldn’t run a program that was a larger enterprise. 

Bobby Knight had not even made the NCAA tournament once when he came to Indiana in 1971….I know it was tougher to make the tournament just saying he was not much better prepared than McCollum. His last year at Army he was 11-13……..

[DougJr74 76]

1 hour ago, HoosierTrav said:

Appreciate your optimism but I respectfully disagree. 

Why do you disagree? Who is it?

[AZ Hoosier 9,038]

6 minutes ago, Ponduke said:

Has this guy been discussed yet? He's obviously never done it at the D1 level but still, his record is amazing. 

Jim Crutchfield 

https://nsusharks.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jim-crutchfield/3230

532-85 career record (.862) - highest winning percentage among coaches at any level in NCAA history

I thought Crutchfield sold car audio...

[Josh 12,876]

30 minutes ago, str8baller said:

This just ignores reality. 
 

1) IN high school coaches are some of the best in the country and can sniff out frauds like Davis and Crean. 
 

2) IN is still one of the most fertile recruiting grounds in the country. Alienating that is plain dumb. 
 

3) piggybacking off #2, when IN kids are winning titles or making national championship game runs at other programs while you’re spinning your wheels at IU with “national “ recruits even the little ol’ grandmas in the stands know it is over for you. 
 

I have said it before and will repeat it again hundred more times: the Indiana job is hard. Huge upside, but hard. There’s too many needles to thread. You can’t just be an ol coach off the Div 1 street and automatically win because it’s Indiana.

I respect you a lot as a poster.  A ton.

But this take is why we suck as a program.  Indiana has great recruits and coaches.  But not more than many other places in America.  Lately even, globally.  Thinking that we have some sort of superiority over other areas is why we hired Woodson and worship our high school system.  How's that worked for us?

[IUHAHN81 2,822]

Ashes to ashes.

Dust to dust.

Get Brad to sign the damn contract, so he can be with us! 

Get er' done Scott!!!!

[Stuhoo 84,833]

2 minutes ago, RoadRage said:

Bobby Knight had not even made the NCAA tournament once when he came to Indiana in 1971….I know it was tougher to make the tournament just saying he was not much better prepared than McCollum. His last year at Army he was 11-13……..

I’m going to quote myself: “Putting McCollum in charge of an enterprise the size of IUBB would be like naming a successful McDonald’s regional manager as CEO. It might work, but no one in their right mind would take that risk.”

RMK’s incredible success was the exception, not the rule. And RMK already had six full seasons as a D1 coach after playing on a National Champion that was also an B1G school.

And moreover, that was 1971. The business enterprise that is now IU Basketball did not exist. In 1971 RMK was a basketball practice and floor coach; an extraordinary one, and not much more. 

[Hoosier987 1,561]

1 minute ago, Stuhoo said:

I’m going to quote myself: “Putting McCollum in charge of an enterprise the size of IUBB would be like naming a successful McDonald’s regional manager as CEO. It might work, but no one in their right mind would take that risk.”

RMK’s incredible success was the exception, not the rule. And RMK already had six full seasons as a D1 coach after playing on a National Champion that was also an B1G school.

And moreover, that was 1971. The business enterprise that is now IU Basketball did not exist. In 1971 RMK was a basketball practice and floor coach; an extraordinary one, and not much more. 

Excellent McDonald’s example. Very easy to understand.

[str8baller 6,279]

12 minutes ago, Truthhurts said:

This is pre-NIL mindset. High school and AAU coaches have about 1% the impact and influence today as they had 5 years ago.  High school recruiting hardly  matters anymore, and for the few guys ready to make an impact in year one, it’s all about the money now - not relationships. 

Sounds good, but I doubt that’s really true. It’s actually just copium for Woodson fans that has bled over to the normal fan base.

 

From what I can tell most of the best players are recruited to high majors and stay there. Karajan, Clinton, castle, etc.., all recruited to UConn. Eden, smith… same. The other top guys are mid major risers. Theres a reason p5  host schools let guys like rice, Ballo, and Carlyle go. 
 

I think IU, its next coach, and its fans are absolutely delusional if they’re going to win big by abandoning HS recruiting. 

[LamarCheeks 20,685]

1 hour ago, TTT said:

If not Stevens or May

Then:

Alford 

Schertz

(young tennis star, Interesting relationship with dad and mom, on his own at young age from a million dollar dad)…..Schertz NIL would get players that play for the school and him.  Community liked him because he wins. (AD from ISU could see it)  ISU had a president that was out of her league.  (In both basketball and baseball).  Schertz is smart.  Team plays 21st century and still is a no nonsense type coach.  Entertaining.  People would like this guy and is well spoken (interesting and fun to listen to).  High energy.  And less of a risk than many that are mentioned because he can coach and the IU NIL would allow him to put together the team chemistry that he would be successful with.

Spin the bottle and pick one….Let’s go.

 

Alford? 

[WayneFleekHoosier 49,695]

Sounds good, but I doubt that’s really true. It’s actually just copium for Woodson fans that has bled over to the normal fan base.
 
From what I can tell most of the best players are recruited to high majors and stay there. Karajan, Clinton, castle, etc.., all recruited to UConn. Eden, smith… same. The other top guys are mid major risers. Theres a reason p5  host schools let guys like rice, Ballo, and Carlyle go. 
 
I think IU, its next coach, and its fans are absolutely delusional if they’re going to win big by abandoning HS recruiting. 

The balance as with most things, lies in the middle. Portal can work if you have a system, know the system, and recruit goal oriented players that want to win basketball games. And can scout and evaluate talent better than the next guy.

Rice and especially Carlyle have been misses. Ballo has been mostly fine but hasn’t gelled well with Reneau. Gallo and Leal still can’t shoot.

I think the best programs and doing a mixture of both things.


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[Kentuckysucks 3,119]

26 minutes ago, Hoosierfan1901 said:

https://x.com/bball_war3/status/1893441515315167337?s=46&t=0mbJ_TT4MQ8KZKv29ZqhSg

He’s not an insider.  Pretty sure he just reads this board and whenever Chris or Yeagley put out something positive towards Brad he posts a cryptic tweet.

[Old Friend 8,498]

20 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

I’m going to quote myself: “Putting McCollum in charge of an enterprise the size of IUBB would be like naming a successful McDonald’s regional manager as CEO. It might work, but no one in their right mind would take that risk.”

RMK’s incredible success was the exception, not the rule. And RMK already had six full seasons as a D1 coach after playing on a National Champion that was also an B1G school.

And moreover, that was 1971. The business enterprise that is now IU Basketball did not exist. In 1971 RMK was a basketball practice and floor coach; an extraordinary one, and not much more. 

Here's the thing.  The guy is a great basketball coach and has proven it over time by succeeding at the highest level of wherever he was.  Your analogy makes it sound like he's a huge gamble and he's just not.  Why?  Because he won't have to do all of this himself.  Good assistant coaches, the support of an athletic department, and the hiring of a GM can and would help him.  

I'd FAR rather take a shot on a great coach (which he is, that part isn't arguable) and believe we have the next great high level coach rather than settle for a guy with experience who's never won anything.  The example isn't Bob Knight.  The example is Curt Cignetti.  In 2023, James Madison generated $13.4 million in revenue.  Same year?  Indiana generated $31.4 million with pathetic crowds and a horrible team. SOLELY because of football, Indiana's athletics budget grew from $141 million in 2023 to $173.5 million in 2024.  Granted, Cignetti had 5 seasons at James Madison to McCollum's one season at Drake, but McCollum won 4 national titles at D2.  That matters a lot.

Say we hire a retread like Mick Cronin.  In 4 years when McCollum is winning somewhere else, for the THIRD time, I think we'd be saying we f*cked up the timing.  Could have had Stevens in 2012....stayed w Crean.  Could have had Dusty May last year...stuck with Woodson.  Are we willing to play it safe AGAIN and miss out on a guy who has proven he wins?  The business enterprise isn't just the head coach's responsibility and I promise McCollum could handle it FAR better than Woodson has, and he's a far better coach.  I have zero interest in a more mediocre coach because whoever that is has more experience.  The current environment is still < 2 years old.  NOBODY has THAT much more experience and Scott Dolson has a history of setting coaches up for success.

I don't always mean to be your counterpoint but I love the idea of getting "the next big thing" while he's coaching at Indiana far more than I want to hire a retread who isn't as good and wishing we'd hit the timing right for a change.

In 1992, Ross Perot compared Bill Clinton the same way, saying it's like asking a McDonald's franchisee (governor of Arkansas) to become the CEO of Wal Mart.  I don't care one bit for Bill Clinton personally, but he wasn't a bad president.  McCollum has a GREAT chance to succeed at IU and I think he has a FAR better chance to succeed here long term than guys like Buzz Williams, Cronin, etc.  Same with Schertz.   

[Old Friend 8,498]

13 minutes ago, str8baller said:

Sounds good, but I doubt that’s really true. It’s actually just copium for Woodson fans that has bled over to the normal fan base.

 

From what I can tell most of the best players are recruited to high majors and stay there. Karajan, Clinton, castle, etc.., all recruited to UConn. Eden, smith… same. The other top guys are mid major risers. Theres a reason p5  host schools let guys like rice, Ballo, and Carlyle go. 
 

I think IU, its next coach, and its fans are absolutely delusional if they’re going to win big by abandoning HS recruiting. 

No program will win consistently doing this.

[IUHoosierJoe 1,678]

2 minutes ago, Kentuckysucks said:

He’s not an insider.  Pretty sure he just reads this board and whenever Chris or Yeagley put out something positive towards Brad he posts a cryptic tweet.

Who is it?

[str8baller 6,279]

9 minutes ago, Josh said:

I respect you a lot as a poster.  A ton.

But this take is why we suck as a program.  Indiana has great recruits and coaches.  But not more than many other places in America.  Lately even, globally.  Thinking that we have some sort of superiority over other areas is why we hired Woodson and worship our high school system.  How's that worked for us?

The unearned arrogance is a problem, that I agree with you there. Mostly with our decision makers. 
 

But, if you look at the per capita numbers Indiana puts out a ton of pro level players. I think we’re like 2nd in the country. That’s a solid proxy for talent. You have to get players somewhere. The backyard is the starting point. 
 

Again, this job is hard. The HS coaches, as an institution, can be a giant PIA. They can also deliver National Championship talent. Ditto the AAU coaches. Same with our alumni…they all think they’re basketball geniuses (the irony of my dumasz typing this is not lost on me…lol) where the big dogs need to be placated often. But they can also deliver national leading NIL funds. Lots of upside but a hard  job. I think watching a local kid win a title at UConn or god forbid Purdue while we pay tons for a pac 2 transplant loses you a ton of political capital.

[RoadRage 2,571]

4 minutes ago, Old Friend said:

Here's the thing.  The guy is a great basketball coach and has proven it over time by succeeding at the highest level of wherever he was.  Your analogy makes it sound like he's a huge gamble and he's just not.  Why?  Because he won't have to do all of this himself.  Good assistant coaches, the support of an athletic department, and the hiring of a GM can and would help him.  

I'd FAR rather take a shot on a great coach (which he is, that part isn't arguable) and believe we have the next great high level coach rather than settle for a guy with experience who's never won anything.  The example isn't Bob Knight.  The example is Curt Cignetti.  In 2023, James Madison generated $13.4 million in revenue.  Same year?  Indiana generated $31.4 million with pathetic crowds and a horrible team. SOLELY because of football, Indiana's athletics budget grew from $141 million in 2023 to $173.5 million in 2024.  Granted, Cignetti had 5 seasons at James Madison to McCollum's one season at Drake, but McCollum won 4 national titles at D2.  That matters a lot.

Say we hire a retread like Mick Cronin.  In 4 years when McCollum is winning somewhere else, for the THIRD time, I think we'd be saying we f*cked up the timing.  Could have had Stevens in 2012....stayed w Crean.  Could have had Dusty May last year...stuck with Woodson.  Are we willing to play it safe AGAIN and miss out on a guy who has proven he wins?  The business enterprise isn't just the head coach's responsibility and I promise McCollum could handle it FAR better than Woodson has, and he's a far better coach.  I have zero interest in a more mediocre coach because whoever that is has more experience.  The current environment is still < 2 years old.  NOBODY has THAT much more experience and Scott Dolson has a history of setting coaches up for success.

I don't always mean to be your counterpoint but I love the idea of getting "the next big thing" while he's coaching at Indiana far more than I want to hire a retread who isn't as good and wishing we'd hit the timing right for a change.

I wish I would have said this, Cignetti is a much better example, I was just pointing out that Knight was hardly a sure thing, he was also a big risk. If you are willing to settle for Cronin or even Brownell, McCollum is the better choice because of his potential upside!