General Coach Candidate News

[pappy1865 2,276]

Michelle Trachtenberg and Gene Hackman... who will be the third?

Michelle caught me off guard!

Sent from my SM-G986U using BtownBanners mobile app

[JPCIVOP 692]

27 minutes ago, OKHOOSIER said:

Hey, some common ground! I really do not see how you can put TJO ahead of SD if Drew is an option. Few I would maybe get since the Zags schedule pretty aggressively in the non-con which he always seems to do well, and he has a couple final fours.  

Think the argument for Otzelberger is that the coaching environment has changed over the last three years. Otz teams have been elite on defense, and have improved on offense during that period. Think there is also reasonable concern about Drew on defense (even excluding rebuild years, half his teams have finished outside the top-75 in defensive efficiency). 

Think Drew has the higher floor and would be a good hire. Otz is more of a gamble, but certainly a higher defensive floor.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 11,743]

What happened with TJ O at Nevada? Why is he so sought after when he had two poop seasons like that? 

[raorIU 401]

20 minutes ago, iu-dl said:

Where is KathywithaC and her infinite wisdom? Are we cross-checking her predictions/knowledge with what's transpiring?

Kathy has a well defined process for posting. There are checkpoints and proscribed milestones. The process ensures all stakeholders have input on the content placed here, this ensures message content is not visceral or inspiring a visceral reaction. The posting process takes time, be patient, the season is still ongoing.

[Muskie plays the four 726]

6 minutes ago, IU Prof said:

We haven't had a J.R. Holmes rumor yet, have we?

Jerry Hoover pretty sure he would bring a shooter with him. 

[HoosierSadaseci 2,993]

31 minutes ago, ap2345 said:

Scott said "non college coach in that meeting"

Did the meeting actually take place though?  Thought there was some debate whether it happened or not...

[RaceToTheTop 31,026]

Twist:  the 'non college coach' in the meeting was Woodson.

[JPCIVOP 692]

2 minutes ago, Certified Sunshine Pumper said:

He's 20-11 in the NCAAT..... honestly, we deserve basketball purgatory for dismissing him, which you aren't necessarily, but.... idk. This is wild to me. 

Trying to respect everyone else's opinion, but.... holy smokes guys.  

Definitely can't dismiss him. A couple friends have ties to Baylor, and I told them at the time that I thought their title run was - start to finish - one of my favorites since beginning to watch college basketball. They were never really in danger that whole run. The record is impressive that way.

There are dry spells - there's only one other run to the Sweet Sixteen in the past decade. The Crean years have scarred me toward wanting to have a more reliable defensive team, and so I can foresee periodic frustration if IU went that route.

[Pagoda 4,427]

26 minutes ago, iu-dl said:

Where is KathywithaC and her infinite wisdom? Are we cross-checking her predictions/knowledge with what's transpiring?

She seemed to primarily be a Woody and Quinn defender.  Now that those two are on their way out she has no narrative to push on this board, therefore we don’t see her anymore.

[RaceToTheTop 31,026]

What if the real KathywithaC was the general consensus of fun we had in the process of the meeting?

[OGIUAndy 1,067]

3 minutes ago, HoosierSadaseci said:

Did the meeting actually take place though?  Thought there was some debate whether it happened or not...

@ap2345 has said multiple times it happened. 

[Chris007 62,388]

7 minutes ago, Muskie plays the four said:

Jerry Hoover pretty sure he would bring a shooter with him. 

That name still makes me mad. He made us run for being late to a meeting at Freshman basketball camp

[Doctor Jones 71]

1 hour ago, iu eyedoc said:

I believe it was RTZ that said earlier the scheduling has nothing to do with the new coach.

 

But...  What about the fact that Brad's last game coached in college was a loss to Marquette in the 2013 NCAA tournament and that his first game back could be against them?  I know I'm reaching but dare to dream.

[MaynardaHoosier 69]

I am guessing this has already been done, but it was fun nonetheless.  I asked the two ultimate insiders to list coaches and the percent chance that they will coach at IU next season:

 

ChatGPT

Here’s a speculative percentage breakdown of the potential candidates for the Indiana men’s basketball head coaching job based on current reports and analysis:

• Brad Brownell (Clemson) – 25%

  • A strong candidate with ties to the Midwest, and his name has surfaced in multiple reports.

• Mick Cronin (UCLA) – 20%

  • Has had success at Cincinnati and UCLA, but prying him away from Los Angeles could be tough.

• Scott Drew (Baylor) – 15%

  • An Indiana native with a national title to his name, but might be content at Baylor.

• T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State) – 10%

  • A rising coach with proven success, but not the biggest name Indiana fans may want.

• Chris Beard (Ole Miss) – 10%

  • A great coach, but off-court controversies may make Indiana hesitant.

• Dusty May (Michigan) – 10%

  • An Indiana alum and solid coach, but just signed a long-term contract with Michigan.

• Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics) – 5%

  • The dream hire for IU fans, but he has repeatedly expressed satisfaction in the NBA.

These percentages are just estimates based on current speculation and could shift as the search process develops.

 

Grok:

Predicting the percentage chances of various coaches becoming Indiana University’s next men’s basketball coach for the 2025-26 season involves weighing their current situations, ties to IU, track records, and the buzz around their names as of February 27, 2025. Since Mike Woodson’s departure was announced earlier this month, with him stepping down at season’s end, the coaching search is in full swing. I’ll base this on available info—like Stevens’ firm rejection, other candidates’ profiles, and sentiment from forums like Btown Banners—while factoring in realistic hurdles like buyouts and personal motivations. Here’s my take, with percentages reflecting likelihood as of now, though this could shift as the search evolves.

Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations): 2%

Stevens is IU’s white whale—Zionsville native, Butler legend with two national title game runs, and an NBA champ as an exec in 2024. Fans on Btown Banners and X have obsessed over him, but he’s shot it down hard. On February 14, he told The Field of 68, “I’m not coaching at Indiana next year,” and doubled down on loving his Celtics gig. He’s 48, not coaching since 2021, and has no obvious reason to leave a cushy NBA role for the college grind. IU will call—Scott Dolson has to—but it’s a long shot unless he’s hiding a sudden itch to return home.

Dusty May (Michigan Head Coach): 25%

May’s an Indiana guy—Bloomington roots, student manager under Bob Knight—and he’s killing it at Michigan in his first year after a Final Four with FAU in 2023. At 48, he’s young, adaptable, and plays a fun style IU fans would eat up. He’s said he’s not thinking about IU beyond family chatter, but the ties are real, and Michigan’s contract extension (reportedly through 2030) isn’t a dealbreaker with IU’s NIL cash. The intra-Big Ten jump and timing (one year in) lower the odds, but he’s a top-tier fit if he’s open to it.

Mick Cronin (UCLA Head Coach): 20%

Cronin’s a Midwest grinder—born in Cincinnati, 13 years there, Final Four with UCLA in 2021. At 53, he’s got a proven record (14 NCAA Tournaments in 21 seasons) and could handle IU’s pressure. UCLA’s debt and cross-country travel might tempt him back to the Big Ten, but his buyout’s steep—over $10 million, per reports. Peegs.com insiders list him high, and his defense-first style fits IU’s tradition. He’s a strong contender if IU ponies up.

Chris Beard (Ole Miss Head Coach): 15%

Beard’s a hot name—took Texas Tech to the 2019 title game, has Ole Miss ranked this year. At 51, he’s a rebuilder with edge, though his 2023 Texas firing (domestic violence charge, later dismissed) adds baggage. X posts and Btown chatter mention him, and Rick Pitino even endorsed him for IU. His buyout’s manageable, and IU’s resources could lure him, but the off-field stuff might spook Dolson. Still, he’s in the mix.

Scott Drew (Baylor Head Coach): 12%

Drew’s 54, won a national title with Baylor in 2021, and turned that program around over 20 years. He’s beloved in Waco, rejected Kentucky and Louisville last spring, and seems entrenched. IU’s a bigger brand, and he’s got the chops, but pulling him out of Texas feels like a stretch unless he’s craving a new challenge. Inside the Hall pegs him as a long shot who’d need to be courted hard.

Greg McDermott (Creighton Head Coach): 10%

McDermott, 60, has Creighton humming—Elite Eight in 2023, consistent NCAA bids, top-tier offense. His buyout’s reportedly not crazy despite a recent extension, and at 15 years in Omaha, he might want a fresh shot at a blue blood. IU’s a step up, but he’s older and comfy where he’s at, so it’s not a slam dunk.

T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State Head Coach): 8%

At 47, Otzelberger’s a riser—Sweet 16 last year, Iowa State ranked top 10 now. He flipped a 2-22 team into a contender fast, which IU needs. His extension through 2032 is a hurdle, and he’s got no Indiana ties, but his analytics-driven style fits the modern game. A dark horse with upside if he’s restless.

Buzz Williams (Texas A&M Head Coach): 7%

Williams, 52, has Texas A&M rolling—two straight NCAA trips, SEC contender. He’s rebuilt Marquette and Virginia Tech too, showing he can handle big jobs. A Texas native, he might not jump, but IU’s prestige could tempt him. Less buzz than others, but a sleeper pick.

These add up to less than 100% because plenty of names—like Jay Wright (retired), Nate Oats (huge buyout), or wild cards like Ben McCollum (Drake)—are either unlikely or too speculative to pin down yet. Stevens is the fan favorite, but May and Cronin feel like the real frontrunners based on fit and chatter. Beard’s a wildcard with baggage, Drew’s a tough pull, and the rest are viable but less hyped. IU’s got cash and history to flex—what do you think of these odds, or is there someone else you’re eyeing?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JSHoosier 22,210]

1 minute ago, Doctor Jones said:

But...  What about the fact that Brad's last game coached in college was a loss to Marquette in the 2013 NCAA tournament and that his first game back could be against them?  I know I'm reaching but dare to dream.

I'd say your tinfoil hat is a little too tight there.

[JPCIVOP 692]

7 minutes ago, Certified Sunshine Pumper said:

What happened with TJ O at Nevada? Why is he so sought after when he had two poop seasons like that? 

This is a completely fair question. Summit League to MWC is a big jump, am sure he took some lumps. The jump to the Big 12 is another jump. He made that one pretty seamlessly, and has gotten ISU to be very good. 

 

[IUGRAD06 924]

Mark Otz off the list.  Apparently signing an extension with Iowa State on Trilly.  

[Pagoda 4,427]

1 minute ago, IUGRAD06 said:

Mark Otz off the list.  Apparently signing an extension with Iowa State on Trilly.  

Third year in a row he signed an extension.  Sheesh.

[monskisprodigy 2,297]

1 minute ago, IUGRAD06 said:

Mark Otz off the list.  Apparently signing an extension with Iowa State on Trilly.  

He signed an extension in December through 2032.

Lifetime contract?!?!

[IUGRAD06 924]

Just now, monskisprodigy said:

He signed an extension in December through 2032.

Lifetime contract?!?!

People are going to use this for more money.  Everyone here would.