New Coach Preferred Characteristics

[Stuhoo]

We have a very long, involved thread to discuss coaching candidates. This thread is NOT for that. This thread is to discuss the PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS you are looking for in the next coach.

Please do NOT list the goals of a new coach (ie-“wins a lot” “can win on the road” etc).

Also, not really looking for a resume checklist.

For me?

- Young-ish or at least not old.

-Been through significant adversity.

-Been associated with a Power 5 program (doesn’t have to be with one now).

-Detail oriented.

-Obsessively hard working.

-As thrilled to meet a ten year old at a camp as they are when meeting a big money donor.

-Speaks in cold reality instead of platitudes.

-Good guy/personable

-Fierce.

-Recruits to his style, but can adapt in-game.

[Brass Cannon]

Has won a conference tourney is definitely one of mine.  Not sure on the rest 

[Muskie plays the four]

Youngish and just runs good stuff on both sides of the ball and go.  Must wear a suit when coaching. Recruits the tri- state well. Personable can work the crowd/media. Basketball junkie who doesn't miss many aau/high school  events. Cool on the sidelines but won't get punked.lol

 

 

[Stuhoo]

Just now, Muskie plays the four said:

Youngish and just runs good stuff on both sides of the ball and go. 

Gotta be more than that. That describes a ton of high school coaches.

[HoosierHoopster]

Youngish 

Winner - track record showing coaching acumen and growth - MODERN game

Personally accountable- takes personal responsibility, not a blamer

Values, puts real work into recruiting, development, and building local HS / AAU ties

Spotlight ready - personable and/or shows readiness, ability to handle the spotlight 

Energy! Enthusiasm for coaching and the game

[TheWatShot]

Young enough to have a long shelf-life, but not so young that he has to "learn on the job." 

Top 25 offensive and defensive Kenpom efficiency most years. 

Embraces a tough schedule, instead of using it as an excuse. Wants us in high profile games whenever possible. 

Doesn't say things like "it's hard to win on the road in the Big Ten." 

Is awake at 2 a.m. scheming and strategizing how he's going to make any aspect of the program better.

Seen so often on the high school circuit that people start remarking how he's everywhere. 

Thanks and appreciates the fans for their support, apologizes when the team has a bad game and promises he and the team will do better. 

[Parakeet Jones]

* Track record of high finishes in conference standings 

* Someone who has a plan and is process oriented like Cignetti. 
 

* Good communicator with the team, recruits, media, and fans. Inspire some confidence in us when we hear you speak. 
 

* Adaptability. Starting pg is hurt?  Adapt. Other coach throws a zone at you?  Adapt. 
 

*. Recruit skills and fit, not the number of stars. 
 

*. Strike the right balance between HS and portal recruiting. 
  

* Be able to assemble a quality staff. 
 

*. Embrace everything that come with being the IU coach and enjoy it not just endure it. Look happy to have this opportunity. 

[Muskie plays the four]

5 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Gotta be more than that. That describes a ton of high school coaches.

I edited it a bit stu. Lol

[Home Jersey]

Ideally on the younger side 

Obsessive about basketball and continuously improving / learning his craft as a coach

Has a clear philosophy and system on both sides of the ball that he recruits to. Actually evaluate prospects no matter the star ranking. 

Have strong ties to the regional basketball community and respect in national circles 

Able to be the face of the program: do well at camps with kids and students, donors, admin/faculty and staff, etc. Treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO vibe. I’m okay with being an uber curmudgeon if you’re a good guy underneath it all.

Long track record of success as a HC

Clean track record off the court

Great organization skills - process oriented with a way of doing things he can plug in and tweak as needed

Know how to be a good leader including how to deal with different kids personalities and press their buttons in the right way to get the best results. Be involved in their lives off the court

Experienced enough to deal with IU’s fanbase, reporters and admin. Know what battles to pick and how and when to go about them. 

Be an energizer bunny for our brand. Make IUBB fun again. 

[HoosierHoopster]

Or

Lazy

Self-entitled 

Blame-game oriented

One, outdated system running

Egocentric, bizarre fan-hating and incompetent 

oh snap, we’re all set!

[IUFAN1976]

Win at all cost!!!

[Stuhoo]

15 minutes ago, IUFAN1976 said:

Win at all cost!!!

That is not a personal characteristic. That is a goal.

Please stay on topic.

[wirenuts]

High ability to be adaptable and not handcuffed by one individual system on offense or defense. 

Pure basketball junkie/grinder

Youth would be a plus, would rather the new coach be close to retirement already

Teacher and leader of young men, holding them accountable but not blaming them for every little issue

Doesn't have to win the press conference, but intelligent enough to be able to stand in front of a reporter and give a better answer than "i wish I knew"

Has a good working knowledge of proper roster building and identifying needs that fits the type of team they want. 

Humble enough to be able to lean on his assistants for answers occasionally

In short, everything that Woodson isn't and everything cignetti appears to be but hopefully close to 20 years younger

 

[IU5355]

After watching the King and Armond Hill sleep for several years I would prefer a coach with fire and a non stop motor. 

Edited February 18, 2025 by IU5355

[DLG3]

-Not older than 50 years. 
-Coaches a modern style of basketball. It’s fine if the team gets out in transition frequently, but elite with sets, BLOB, situational basketball. 
-Less coach speak, more substance with fans that largely know the game and are tired of being treated like imbeciles. 
-Has energy and can coach it. 
-Calm coaching demeanor, but willing to “take over the room” (or gym) when warranted

-Adaptability 

-Has a personal history of having to earn his own way. Graduating from a blue-collar high school like say, Eastern Greene, doesn’t hurt ;)

[Golfman25]

Simple.  Coach Cig clone.  :) 

 

 

My own preferences:

Understands building a program and a culture is a process.  Executes that process to perfection. Winning is a result of that process

Never satisfied.  Enjoy the "win" for 24 hours max, then back to business.  

Self-evaluation and isn't afraid to adjust.  Doesn't get locked into his scheme, but will adjust based on the talent available.   

Can assemble a group of misfit toys and get them to play well -- multiplication instead of addition.  

Can motivate his players, because 18-21 year olds need motivation.  

Is no nonsense, but isn't an a-hole.  

[JF87]

Has an offense that uses off ball screening and movement

Flexible on defense, willing to play man or zone depending on the situation

Hates losing and will work his rear off to make sure he doesn't

Establish a culture of hard work, development, and discipline

Understands the analytics of college basketball and runs a system based on that understanding 

Emphasizes proper shot selection 

Recruits to his system and not worry about star ratings

Recruits players that want to be at IU and win a Big ten title and not just looking for the most NIL

Builds program with high school players and uses the portal to fill gaps

Outgoing personality and represents the university positively

 

 

[IU Prof]

Frequently refers to himself in the third person.

[theriverpilot]

This will sound cliche and 10,000 foot viewish, but someone that is a student of the game. Never satisfied and relentless scout.

Adaptable coaching style both in season, between seasons, and in game.  A coach that can check his ego when things obviously aren’t working. I’ve seen way too many coaches that think other coaches need to adjust to THEM. This will not always be the case.

Familiar with navigating NIL but still recruits high school kids to his system.

A players coach. Gone are the days of a strict disciplinarian. A coach that can relate and motivate players.

An ultra competitive edge but with not an abrasive personality like a Hurley. 

[NashvilleHoosier]

Loves Breaking Bad.