They “Retired” Coach Woodson Thread

[AKHoosier]

8 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

He's been offered a raise. I think he is going to test the NBA waters, field offers from others but I think he ends up back here

Do players need to officially enter the portal to field offers from other teams?

Or is there enough back channel talk going on that makes that unnecessary?

[RoncalliHoosier]

16 hours ago, LamarCheeks said:

Unfortunately, if this is true -- it will just lead to forced, fake interactions from Woody. If he decides to comply. 

You'd think he would want to be supportive of the women's team -- and other programs as well. Not something he's forced to do. That's what being in a college atmosphere is all about. 

Seems yet another reason he's just a horrible fit for the college ranks. 

Absolutely. This is more evidence of Woodson's ego and sense of his own self-importance. He cannot be bothered to do a solid for anyone who cannot return the gesture. The term my kids use is "a legend in his own mind".

[OKHOOSIER]

1 minute ago, RoncalliHoosier said:

But did Archie trigger Buckner because he was Archie or because he got the job that Buckner thought was promised to Woodson? That's the real problem with this kind of corruption. Buckner can get triggered or enraged or butt-hurt or whatever you want to call it, but it's because his buddy got overlooked in favor of the flavor of the month.

Buckner has no leg to stand on with regard to who the men's basketball coach at Indiana is. It's true what Woodson got to the tournament his first two years. It's also true that he flamed out in the tournament pretty epically. It's also true that Woodson got to the tournament his first two years with teams that were largely built by Archie. Give Woodson credit for JHS and for Malik in year two, but he also brought us Gunn and Banks, and brought in the head case Xavier Johnson for his first season.

We saw what Woodson's team roster looked like this year (guard shortage and an unused scholarship) and we've got a clear picture of his 2024-25 roster with zero recruits.

I guess the whole “no one bigger than the program ever again” stuff was BS lol. We are being hamstrung by two dudes who were major parts of making that guy “bigger than the program.”

[ap2345]

3 minutes ago, RoncalliHoosier said:

But did Archie trigger Buckner because he was Archie or because he got the job that Buckner thought was promised to Woodson? That's the real problem with this kind of corruption. Buckner can get triggered or enraged or butt-hurt or whatever you want to call it, but it's because his buddy got overlooked in favor of the flavor of the month.

Buckner has no leg to stand on with regard to who the men's basketball coach at Indiana is. It's true what Woodson got to the tournament his first two years. It's also true that he flamed out in the tournament pretty epically. It's also true that Woodson got to the tournament his first two years with teams that were largely built by Archie. Give Woodson credit for JHS and for Malik in year two, but he also brought us Gunn and Banks, and brought in the head case Xavier Johnson for his first season.

We saw what Woodson's team roster looked like this year (guard shortage and an unused scholarship) and we've got a clear picture of his 2024-25 roster with zero recruits.

Buckner pushed for the Archie hire. He was heavily involved in that hire. I believe he's triggered because it didn't work out.

[Uspshoosier]

6 minutes ago, AKHoosier said:

Do players need to officially enter the portal to field offers from other teams?

Or is there enough back channel talk going on that makes that unnecessary?

Players definitely need to enter before other  teams can contact however back channeling is happening throughout the season 

[Golfman25]

It's not making the tournament in and of itself that is defined as success.  It's the first step to success.  If you come here saying you're competing for championships -- well you have to get in it to win it.  

So my expectations are pretty clear.  Depending on how bad it is when you start, first, get the program on a solid footing where your recruiting well in the state and region.  Then expand nationally to the big dogs.  Make the tournament every year.  Some years your out the first day.  Others you make the Sweet 16 or better.  But you have to make it.  And as you improve your program, the more often the Sweet 16 runs should be.  Then take that next step to the Elite 8 and after that I think "luck" play a big part.  This alone should put you in the Big10 picture.  

Where Crean failed was being consistent enough to make the tournament every year.  Had he been more consistent, he would have had more chances to the sweeet 16 and beyond.  

[RoncalliHoosier]

2 hours ago, Chris007 said:

In all seriousness, there will be a conversation about this season with Dolson & Woodson. Woodson will have to explain what the plan is for next season. Dolson will then have to decide if he believes that plan or not. 

Do you really think that Woodson would sit through that? He told a reporter "I'm not going to sit here and answer that question from you or the fans". I suspect he won't answer many "probing" questions from Dolson, either. He will stonewall, while wearing his teflon suit, and have Quinn on speed dial to get him out of any difficult conversations.

[str8baller]

2 hours ago, Uspshoosier said:

IU will have to make a decision next year.   You can’t have a coach with 2 years remaining on a contract going into a recruiting cycle without an extension or plan to move on.  

That was the old logic, when you had to be recruiting several years out. I do wonder if by some miracle Woody goes to the portal successful enough next year to get a tourney berth that he doesn’t get another year.  
 

I agree it could be a program killer, but I can see him convincing some people that his style of swooping up a last minute recruit or two plus raiding the portal is a viable strategy…at least for one additional year. 

[Chris007]

10 minutes ago, AKHoosier said:

Do players need to officially enter the portal to field offers from other teams?

Or is there enough back channel talk going on that makes that unnecessary?

I think they are getting offers in their DM's and every other way. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

7 minutes ago, AKHoosier said:

Do players need to officially enter the portal to field offers from other teams?

Or is there enough back channel talk going on that makes that unnecessary?

In the strictest sense players aren't supposed to be contacted until they enter the portal but in the real world, all kinds of back channel contact goes on.  In part, the back channel talk may dictate if a player wants to portal or not.  If the early contacts are meh, he may decide he's actually better off to stay where he's at.

[str8baller]

13 minutes ago, Demo said:

Agree, because we’ve all seen that the decision-makers last time out made IU affiliation a trump card because you couldn’t land on Woody any other way. And that makes May singular.

I don’t think former star player and former manager carries the same weight with the alumni class who are being consulted. 

[RoncalliHoosier]

2 hours ago, IUrocker said:

That’s what I’m worried about is Woodson saying everything Dolson wants to hear just to try to stick around but then when the season starts come to find he was full of it and doesn’t give a crap. 

I don't need to wait for any season to start to know that Woodson is "full of it and doesn't give a crap". I got that right now, in spades.

[Chris007]

3 minutes ago, RoncalliHoosier said:

Do you really think that Woodson would sit through that? He told a reporter "I'm not going to sit here and answer that question from you or the fans". I suspect he won't answer many "probing" questions from Dolson, either. He will stonewall, while wearing his teflon suit, and have Quinn on speed dial to get him out of any difficult conversations.

It's easier to say that to the media than it is your boss. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

1 minute ago, RoncalliHoosier said:

I don't need to wait for any season to start to know that Woodson is "full of it and doesn't give a crap". I got that right now, in spades.

For a new kid on the block, you're OK.

[str8baller]

18 minutes ago, JF87 said:

Would we move on from Woodson if Reneau and MgBako leave, even though they were offered top dollar by IU NIL?  Would losing Ware, Reneau, MgBako, and McNeeley be enough for Dolson to pull the plug?  

Waiting that long gets you a Holtman/Alford redemption tour type hire.  
 

I’d be mildly pleased with that for a few days only because I predicted that’s how dumb IU is that they’d likely do something like that. But once the gloating wears off…the pain sets in. Lol

[OKHOOSIER]

1 minute ago, Golfman25 said:

It's not making the tournament in and of itself that is defined as success.  It's the first step to success.  If you come here saying you're competing for championships -- well you have to get in it to win it.  

So my expectations are pretty clear.  Depending on how bad it is when you start, first, get the program on a solid footing where your recruiting well in the state and region.  Then expand nationally to the big dogs.  Make the tournament every year.  Some years your out the first day.  Others you make the Sweet 16 or better.  But you have to make it.  And as you improve your program, the more often the Sweet 16 runs should be.  Then take that next step to the Elite 8 and after that I think "luck" play a big part.  This alone should put you in the Big10 picture.  

Where Crean failed was being consistent enough to make the tournament every year.  Had he been more consistent, he would have had more chances to the sweeet 16 and beyond.  

My reasons have always been mostly future related. Had we had a season in the tournament or near the bubble, and looked competent against good teams, with a win or two AND had a full recruiting class this wouldn’t be a conversation. The Auburn game was the first I had been able to attend since 2017. Within about 4 minutes it was clear we were playing a different game. There were signs too with the program. Anecdotal, but the first thing we (IU folks) noticed was that the area set aside for band was empty. Auburn? Full. The seats for our band opposite Auburns literally sat empty. It was embarrassing. Auburn people around us were really surprised and a little offended in a joking way (IU too good to bring the band). We heard the fight song once, over the speakers, during pregame. And we outnumbered them probably 3-1. Woody has completely squandered the goodwill and momentum TJD and JHS left him with. 

[spe317]

6 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

It's easier to say that to the media than it is your boss. 

It would be fascinating to learn their dynamic. Do you think it’s a superior/subordinate relationship? Does CMW view him as a boss or an equal or even an obstacle? Does CMW report directly to QB in his mind? 

[OKHOOSIER]

7 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

In the strictest sense players aren't supposed to be contacted until they enter the portal but in the real world, all kinds of back channel contact goes on.  In part, the back channel talk may dictate if a player wants to portal or not.  If the early contacts are meh, he may decide he's actually better off to stay where he's at.

Yea I’ve taken the tampering to be the new “bag men” of this CBB iteration. I think it could be as simple as a HC taking a second in the hand shake line to let a player know he likes his game, all the way to shoe company reps making overtures. It’s the new dirty recruiting since paying in and of itself isn’t illegal. 

[pumpfake]

2 hours ago, Chris007 said:

It was more Woodson day then senior day

That was my biggest take away.  I remember other coaches speaking for a modest amount of time, but the focus was on players and managers.  On Sunday Woodson sounded like he was giving some kind of acceptance speech.

[Kentuckysucks]

3 minutes ago, spe317 said:

It would be fascinating to learn their dynamic. Do you think it’s a superior/subordinate relationship? Does CMW view him as a boss or an equal or even an obstacle? Does CMW report directly to QB in his mind? 

Mike Woodson reports only to Mike Woodson.