General Coach Candidate News

[DougJr74]

Here's how I look at it. A few people on this thread have sources and they are kind enough to share with the rest of us. I appreciate them. The rest of us just state our opinion. Some of you need to quit being haters. It's easy for me to get thorough the pages because I skip over most of your comments. I look for the names that have real information. Sorry not Sorry.

[Hoosierfan2017]

10 minutes ago, Uspshoosier said:

An added bonus is Tucker comes with the head coach.  A fully healthy Tucker on your team is a really good thing.  DeVries would do well at IU in my opinion 

You’ve said this before, but I think there’s a fairly long list of guys who could do pretty well here in the current NIL atmosphere. Mike Woodson basically ignored a large percentage of his job responsibilities, largely gave up recruiting outside of the portal, was a very mediocre in-game coach, and the bottom still didn’t completely fall out underneath him. We don’t need a star, I don’t think. With the millions of dollars our donors are willing to spend, we need competence and work ethic.  

[Hoosierfan1901]

32 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

I feel better after reading that.

Judging by their boards, their fans didn’t even sniff of an extension at all, they definitely thought of an extra year, but not a contract extension 

[JPCIVOP]

1 minute ago, Hardwood83 said:

I do have a sincere question for discussion. We’ve been so engrossed with “IF” Stevens will be the coach, not much thought seems to have gone into “should” he be the coach. It’s just been axiomatic that ‘of course Brad is the best coach alive!’, but…. Is he?

He hasn’t coached in the NCAA in over 10yrs. Pre conference merger mania, pre NIL, pre transfer portal. It’s a whole new world from his quaint Horizon league days at Butler community college.  He hasn’t even coached at all in the last four years. He won in the NBA, but never made the finals, let alone won them.  Clearly, he’s a sharp guy that knows a ton about basketball, does that translate to the best possible option for IUBB?    

 

When you make a title game from the Horizon league in back to back years, you get benefit of the doubt. Taking your question seriously; I don't know what people would say comparing him as a tactician to Rick Pitino. But if Stevens coached at IU he would immediately be the best or second best coach in the country. 

He made 3 Eastern Conference Finals, and would have made the NBA Finals on that second trip, if not for losing Hayward and Kyrie Irving. Took LeBron to 7 games without his two best players. 

Open to pushback. Think there is no one IU could get who would be as good of a coach.

 

[JustWinBaby]

34 minutes ago, PartyintheVillas said:

This is a Pat Kelsey/Mark Pope kind of hire than can work out.

Odds are one (or both) of those coaches will be fired within the next 5-10 years.

Not because they’ll fail or that they’re bad coaches. But the expectations are those programs (especially Kentucky) is to be perennial conference and national title contenders. One of the advantages also of being a first-year head coach, with a revamped roster and updated system to match the new personnel, is that there’s not much tape out on you yet. It’s one of the reasons Indiana football was so successful this season (among many other reasons).

My point simply being, those hires are still too early to call successful. And personally I’m more inclined to call the Kelsey hire successful, as Kentucky is currently 18-9 (7-7) and on a downward trend. If that was Calipari, fans would be irate, but since it’s Pope they’re still in the honeymoon phase.

I don’t see much point getting caught up in comparisons anyways. Those two coaches are very different from the guys we’re (supposedly) pursuing right now, and IU is a much different program than those two.

[IUHoosierJoe]

7 minutes ago, Hardwood83 said:

I do have a sincere question for discussion. We’ve been so engrossed with “IF” Stevens will be the coach, not much thought seems to have gone into “should” he be the coach. It’s just been axiomatic that ‘of course Brad is the best coach alive!’, but…. Is he?

He hasn’t coached in the NCAA in over 10yrs. Pre conference merger mania, pre NIL, pre transfer portal. It’s a whole new world from his quaint Horizon league days at Butler community college.  He hasn’t even coached at all in the last four years. He won in the NBA, but never made the finals, let alone won them.  Clearly, he’s a sharp guy that knows a ton about basketball, does that translate to the best possible option for IUBB?    

 

For the first 31 years of his life, he hadn’t been a head coach at all.  It seems he did pretty well regardless.

[bodsbums]

Last time Steven’s put out his Masshole direct statement that he would not be coming. He has not done that this time and until he does, I will continue to believe that it is him. Certainly he knows there is discussion about him coming. If he 100% wanted that to end, he could release a direct statement and end the speculation. I would suggest it’s significant that he has chosen not to do that.

Edited February 25, 2025 by bodsbums

[CSP]

27 minutes ago, PartyintheVillas said:

We need to remember he was maybe the 5th preferred candidate after Louisville struck out and had to scramble a little. The same thing happened at Kentucky and they are having success so far as well. Resume, preparedness, and fit can all line up in strange ways. Like maybe if Tom Crean was at UCLA and Steve Alford were at Indiana, the fit works out for both of them when maybe they aren't great coaches at other places (complete made up hypothetical don't kill me for Tom Crean and Steve Alford references.) Maybe Cronin can kill it here but someone like Scott Drew can't. It doesn't always work out like on paper or internet message boards.

But should he have been 5th with what we're witnessing out of them this season? 

[PartyintheVillas]

3 minutes ago, JustWinBaby said:

Odds are one (or both) of those coaches will be fired within the next 5-10 years.

Not because they’ll fail or that they’re bad coaches. But the expectations are those programs (especially Kentucky) is to be perennial conference and national title contenders. One of the advantages also of being a first-year head coach, with a revamped roster and updated system to match the new personnel, is that there’s not much tape out on you yet. It’s one of the reasons Indiana football was so successful this season (among many other reasons).

My point simply being, those hires are still too early to call successful. And personally I’m more inclined to call the Kelsey hire successful, as Kentucky is currently 18-9 (7-7) and on a downward trend. If that was Calipari, fans would be irate, but since it’s Pope they’re still in the honeymoon phase.

I don’t see much point getting caught up in comparisons anyways. Those two coaches are very different from the guys we’re (supposedly) pursuing right now, and IU is a much different program than those two.

Some of that I agree with, but Kentucky has been decimated by injuries which is causing their slide, not coaching.

[68Hoosier]

10 minutes ago, Hardwood83 said:

I do have a sincere question for discussion. We’ve been so engrossed with “IF” Stevens will be the coach, not much thought seems to have gone into “should” he be the coach. It’s just been axiomatic that ‘of course Brad is the best coach alive!’, but…. Is he?

He hasn’t coached in the NCAA in over 10yrs. Pre conference merger mania, pre NIL, pre transfer portal. It’s a whole new world from his quaint Horizon league days at Butler community college.  He hasn’t even coached at all in the last four years. He won in the NBA, but never made the finals, let alone won them.  Clearly, he’s a sharp guy that knows a ton about basketball, does that translate to the best possible option for IUBB?    

 

I was asking the same question earlier.  I think he brings a lot to the table, but he has been away from some time now and things have changed considerably since he last coached in college.  I was just wander how long does he get to prove himself if he is the guy.  Do we expect results in year 1 and what is acceptable in his first 3 to 4 years.

 

[EasyEJay]

30 minutes ago, RoadToZion said:

Sam loves to listen to himself talk. That’s all I have for now. 

A little ominous think I heard thunder while reading that ! 

[Hoosier Guy]

I can’t believe Hubert Davis was extended.  He’s living off of a choke in the national championship game lol.

[DSUMMITT]

6 minutes ago, Hardwood83 said:

I do have a sincere question for discussion. We’ve been so engrossed with “IF” Stevens will be the coach, not much thought seems to have gone into “should” he be the coach. It’s just been axiomatic that ‘of course Brad is the best coach alive!’, but…. Is he?

He hasn’t coached in the NCAA in over 10yrs. Pre conference merger mania, pre NIL, pre transfer portal. It’s a whole new world from his quaint Horizon league days at Butler community college.  He hasn’t even coached at all in the last four years. He won in the NBA, but never made the finals, let alone won them.  Clearly, he’s a sharp guy that knows a ton about basketball, does that translate to the best possible option for IUBB?    

 

Smarter people then me (long list) consider BS a basketball prodigy. A brilliant guy who could have done anything but loved basketball - as far as I know he walked away from a very lucrative career future at Lily to volunteer at Butler. I'm sure most of that is exaggerated over the years but I do think everything he's touched has turned gold (at the least gotten much better).

His name comes up with every big job for a reason - the unicorn that got away from college basketball. Go look at UNC, Texas, Kansas, UK, etc... forum whenever there is a rumor of a new coach - he's almost everyone's first call even though they know he's a -1% chance.

He's clean cut, charismatic, brilliant, and can handle the pressure. And yes, I'd leave my wife for him if I thought it'd get him here (joking of course, I mean unless...)  

[Uspshoosier]

7 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

You’ve said this before, but I think there’s a fairly long list of guys who could do pretty well here in the current NIL atmosphere. Mike Woodson basically ignored a large percentage of his job responsibilities, largely gave up recruiting outside of the portal, was a very mediocre in-game coach, and the bottom still didn’t completely fall out underneath him. We don’t need a star, I don’t think. With the millions of dollars our donors are willing to spend, we need competence and work ethic.  

Yeah it’s why I’m stress free during this hiring cycle.   IU is going to get a really good college basketball coach regardless.  Might not be the home run hire or the one that wins press conference however I have no worries whoever is hired is going to win games and get this thing turned around.   If not I will see you in here in the future and we do this all over again.    

[rex_in_specs]

1 minute ago, DSUMMITT said:

Smarter people then me (long list) consider BS a basketball prodigy. A brilliant guy who could have done anything but loved basketball - as far as I know he walked away from a very lucrative career future at Lily to volunteer at Butler. I'm sure most of that is exaggerated over the years but I do think everything he's touched has turned gold (at the least gotten much better).

His name comes up with every big job for a reason - the unicorn that got away from college basketball. Go look at UNC, Texas, Kansas, UK, etc... forum whenever there is a rumor of a new coach - he's almost everyone's first call even though they know he's a -1% chance.

He's clean cut, charismatic, brilliant, and can handle the pressure. And yes, I'd leave my wife for him if I thought it'd get him here (joking of course, I mean unless...)  

Just wanted to share:

 

I am an IU Grad

I have lived in Bloomington for 30+ years post College

I work for IU

My spouse worked for IU Athletics

I am an IU Basketball Season Ticket Holder (and Football and IUWBB too)

I have even worked with DSUMMITT

We have a very very close friend that works in the Athletics Department with ties to Varsity Club

We met them out last weekend and of course I asked if they had any inside information on the coaching search ………

They have heard nothing. Absolutely nothing.

This is my way of saying that I really appreciate those that do hear things AND then share that information with this forum. Keep it coming.  

But boy do I have stories about Kelvin Sampson LOL.

[Kentuckysucks]

3 minutes ago, Hoosier Guy said:

I can’t believe Hubert Davis was extended.  He’s living off of a choke in the national championship game lol.

 

[68Hoosier]

2 minutes ago, DSUMMITT said:

Smarter people then me (long list) consider BS a basketball prodigy. A brilliant guy who could have done anything but loved basketball - as far as I know he walked away from a very lucrative career future at Lily to volunteer at Butler. I'm sure most of that is exaggerated over the years but I do think everything he's touched has turned gold (at the least gotten much better).

His name comes up with every big job for a reason - the unicorn that got away from college basketball. Go look at UNC, Texas, Kansas, UK, etc... forum whenever there is a rumor of a new coach - he's almost everyone's first call even though they know he's a -1% chance.

He's clean cut, charismatic, brilliant, and can handle the pressure. And yes, I'd leave my wife for him if I thought it'd get him here (joking of course, I mean unless...)  

Here is what I can see him bringing day one.  His name and the connections to the NBA.  Student Athletes will like this so I think he will be able to bring in the players.  I think he knows the X's and O's so to me those two things are 75% of the battle.  I am sure he can get the staff to help run the program.  So, I am talking myself back into him as the best option.  It's Brad ******* Stevens after all.

[Chris007]

13 minutes ago, JPCIVOP said:

When you make a title game from the Horizon league in back to back years, you get benefit of the doubt. Taking your question seriously; I don't know what people would say comparing him as a tactician to Rick Pitino. But if Stevens coached at IU he would immediately be the best or second best coach in the country. 

He made 3 Eastern Conference Finals, and would have made the NBA Finals on that second trip, if not for losing Hayward and Kyrie Irving. Took LeBron to 7 games without his two best players. 

Open to pushback. Think there is no one IU could get who would be as good of a coach.

 

I would also say that the NIL era fits him even better. 

[Demo]

11 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

You’ve said this before, but I think there’s a fairly long list of guys who could do pretty well here in the current NIL atmosphere. Mike Woodson basically ignored a large percentage of his job responsibilities, largely gave up recruiting outside of the portal, was a very mediocre in-game coach, and the bottom still didn’t completely fall out underneath him. We don’t need a star, I don’t think. With the millions of dollars our donors are willing to spend, we need competence and work ethic.  

Yup, part of what the made the Woody thing so infuriating is the resources being so good. For all the Brownell derision, that guy would do fine here. Unquestionably an upgrade. But, man, if you get the right guy he is set up to be a God.

[68Hoosier]

4 minutes ago, rex_in_specs said:

Just wanted to share:

 

 

 

I am an IU Grad

 

I have lived in Bloomington for 30+ years post College

 

I work for IU

 

My spouse worked for IU Athletics

 

I am an IU Basketball Season Ticket Holder (and Football and IUWBB too)

 

I have even worked with DSUMMITT

 

We have a very very close friend that works in the Athletics Department with ties to Varsity Club

 

We met them out last weekend and of course I asked if they had any inside information on the coaching search ………

 

They have heard nothing. Absolutely nothing.

 

This is my way of saying that I really appreciate those that do hear things AND then share that information with this forum. Keep it coming.  

 

But boy do I have stories about Kelvin Sampson LOL.

 

I like stories, so feel free to share them.