General Coach Candidate News

[HoosierFan1994]

Family has been sick today so I've had "free" time today. I wanted to see what the "hot boards" looked like in 2017 and in 2021.

Archie's name was mentioned from the start. However, Billy Donovan was the prize during that search. I think Friday was the Albers "Donovan was in Bloomington" tweet. I know Alford at some point said it wasn't him. Next day is when they announced Archie Miller as coach. Search lasted 9 days. 

We all know who was the man in 2021. His press conference basically ended all speculation. Search went on for another week. Woodson's name kept appearing everywhere despite the Stevens, Beilein, Moser (lol), Matta, Holtmann talk. Search lasted 13 days. 

A couple of things that stand out: 

1) 2025 candidates are MUCH better than in 2017 and 2021. 

2) While they weren't the "favorite" Archie and Woodson's names did appear pretty much from early on in the process. It is very likely the name of our next coach has been discussed/mentioned. I do think there is a tight lip on this process (as there should be) but names get thrown around for a reason. 

3) Smoke really didn't pick up until the day they were hired. I think Archie was broke that morning by Woj. Woodson I think by Bozich. If I remember right there was a feeling or rumor announcement would be made that day. Very similar to Cig back in 2023. 

With IU (Likely) making the tournament, I would expect either an announcement or leak 24-48 hours after their season ends or when our new coach's season ends. Earliest I can see that being would be around March 22. I just don't see any leaks happening. Love the speculation and excitement, but let's not get carried away. Just think it'll be quiet for 3 weeks. Let's hope the team gives us a lot to be excited about. 

Last item: we've heard what Stevens (through Goodman), May, Cronin think about the IU job. Even Pearl has commented on IU before. Beard gave a Coach Knight shout-out recently. Why has nobody in the media asked Scott Drew? It's just interesting with the Texas insider thinking it's him. Cronin is still my prediction, but there are a lot of realistic reasons why I think it could be Drew. 

[lillurk]

FWIW the Pelicans re-signed Cody last summer essentially just to trade him with Dejounte Murray trade to make the trade work within the rules of the salary cap.

Then the Hawks sent him to the Rockets for the rights to a 29-year-old Frenchman who was the final pick of the 2017 draft who’s never come to the league and never will in an attempt to shed payroll.

The remaining two years on the three year contract he signed last summer are not guaranteed; I assume this is the end of the line in the league. My best guess — someone here may know personally — is he intended to retire last summer but was (of course!) agreeable to making an additional $3.5M to not play so the teams could make the trade work, and that his salary thru the deadline was the price of doing business for the Hawks.

[Magnanimous]

Random thought, if McCollum retired from coaching this season would he make the Basketball Hall of Fame (as a coach)? There are several D2 coaches who have been inducted, Herb Magee and Clarence Gaines, for example. McCollum’s D2 success surpasses both of theirs.

[Trish]

1 hour ago, Hoosierfanyuh said:

Rabby said there will be an updated hot board tomorrow for what it’s worth 

He knows nothing. 

[Gnet550]

1 hour ago, Chris007 said:

The house Cigs bought was never for sale. Also some think he might not live in Bloomington. It could also stay pending till the end of March 

Probably want to live in more of a booming metropolis like Ellettsville? Maybe Spencer? Perhaps keep to himself in Nashville? Lol

[Trish]

20 minutes ago, lillurk said:

FWIW the Pelicans re-signed Cody last summer essentially just to trade him with Dejounte Murray trade to make the trade work within the rules of the salary cap.

Then the Hawks sent him to the Rockets for the rights to a 29-year-old Frenchman who was the final pick of the 2017 draft who’s never come to the league and never will in an attempt to shed payroll.

The remaining two years on the three year contract he signed last summer are not guaranteed; I assume this is the end of the line in the league. My best guess — someone here may know personally — is he intended to retire last summer but was (of course!) agreeable to making an additional $3.5M to not play so the teams could make the trade work, and that his salary thru the deadline was the price of doing business for the Hawks.

Cody is officially retired. Look for him to get into coaching next season at the college level, keep an eye on a school in Bloomington. 

[HoosierFan1994]

3 minutes ago, Trish said:

He knows nothing. 

I really need to cancel my subscription. Nothing against Rabjohns, I just don't think since I've been a member (on and off since 2019ish) any news really has broke from him on there. 

[pappy1865]

2 hours ago, WoodywithaL said:

I’d rather have Jim Croce

Been trying for over 30 minutes to post the Captain America gif " I understood that reference." But alas, I'm not smart enough to add it.  Help BTB family! Getting old and letting technology pass me by sucks. 

[Hoosierfanyuh]

11 minutes ago, HoosierFan1994 said:

I really need to cancel my subscription. Nothing against Rabjohns, I just don't think since I've been a member (on and off since 2019ish) any news really has broke from him on there. 

Coaching search wise i agree, i will say for Recruiting having the subscription is worth it for me at least  

[hoosierbannerd]

3 minutes ago, pappy1865 said:

Been trying for over 30 minutes to post the Captain America gif " I understood that reference." But alas, I'm not smart enough to add it.  Help BTB family! Getting old and letting technology pass me by sucks. 

 

[Sandman]

14 minutes ago, pappy1865 said:

Help BTB family! Getting old and letting technology pass me by sucks

Need help? Call the..."Operator" /Croce

[JustWinBaby]

Good morning BTB, March 2nd came and went with no Fox Sports announcement. I move to officially ban @IsaacTor. 

I’m only half joking.

[rdevito29]

Busy weekend and don’t want to read through all the posts lol - did I miss anything (other than Isaac disappearing)?

[Alistair Smash]

I just saw this and hadn’t heard anything about it until this advertisement. Any chance this could be a factor in any Brad decisions?

 

[MrBBall]

42 minutes ago, Alistair Smash said:

I just saw this and hadn’t heard anything about it until this advertisement. Any chance this could be a factor in any Brad decisions?

 

Haha. I don’t think so but I’d love staying away from anything Bill Simmons related 

[Pagoda]

53 minutes ago, Alistair Smash said:

I just saw this and hadn’t heard anything about it until this advertisement. Any chance this could be a factor in any Brad decisions?

 

I kinda hope this flops.  People from Boston, Simmons especially, don’t seem to realize the rest of the country does not give a **** about Boston.

[Alistair Smash]

3 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

I hope this flops.  People from Boston, Simmons especially, don’t seem to realize the rest of the country does not give a **** about Boston.

I can get on board with the Simmons disdain. But I’m old enough that Larry Bird’s presence on the Celtics always gave Boston an Indiana connection. 

[Rellek]

https://x.com/bball_war3/status/1896535941835378966?s=46&t=sf-FmoEddSrASJmeTrJudw

[LamarCheeks]

18 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

I kinda hope this flops.  People from Boston, Simmons especially, don’t seem to realize the rest of the country does not give a **** about Boston.

I don't necessarily have anything against Boston -- mainly because I've never been there -- but I do think Bill Simmons is a smarmy, snarky, annoying little nitwit. 

[Motley's]

 

Hearing more names like this. Before it gets to unproven names like McCollum or McMillan, there’s a faction that sees a move to a Groce or Alford. 

John Groce, Akron Zips

John Groce has turned the Akron Zips into a powerhouse in the Mid-American Conference. The Zips have won two of the last three MAC tournaments and have gone 157-86 under Groce. Prior to coaching at Akron, he spent five years in the Big Ten with Illinois, where he went 95-75 and reached the NCAA Tournament once. He also won two MAC tournament titles as head coach of the Ohio Bobcats from 2008 to 2012. His tenure with the Bobcats was highlighted by a trip to the Sweet Sixteen in 2012. 

Groce’s ties to the state of Indiana could make him an enticing candidate. A native of Muncie, Indiana, he started his coaching career at Taylor University in the NAIA before serving as an assistant for the Butler Bulldogs.