Curry Hicks Sage hinted at Stevens backing out on Sunday night

[Ctf9 399]

I’m starting a new thread because (understandably) a lot of posters just want to look forward. But I think this info is useful for contextualizing what @Chris007 and @BehindTheBench and @GP711 were passing along.

On Monday night, March 17, a full day before the DeVries news leaked, Curry Hicks Sage on his influential national podcast said that IU seemed out on McCollum and that it was between DeVries and “someone really ******* big.” Curry also said he meant someone like Stevens, even if he didn’t know who exactly it was.

This podcast has the best info of anyone—even better than Trilly. I think it’s easy to connect the dots here and say that our insiders had heard for weeks that Stevens was in serious talks and that he ultimately declined this weekend. Dolson didn’t want to get caught flat footed again so he had also been working for weeks on backups, including DeVries. Once Stevens was out, Dolson pivoted.

There’s obviously a game of telephone between the donors here, which may explain why @BehindTheBench heard that Stevens said yes while @Chris007 heard only that Stevens had not said no. 

Also, I still have a lot of questions, mostly involving why exactly Stevens said no a second time. My sense was always that Chris was pretty optimistic based on his info—the Center Grove house, for instance—but that he tried to keep his optimism in check so as not to repeat the heartbreak of the last search. He and most of the other insiders were clearly trying to be level headed, and I appreciate them doing that. 

I understand why some other posters still feel misled about Stevens, but the Curry Hicks Sage podcast suggests this was all real. Again, I have no idea why Stevens said no. I am curious to hear any other details people want to share—not just on Stevens but also on whether McCollum was actually Dolson’s choice over DeVries, as Chris hinted. I can’t be the only who hopes that @JerryYeagley23 shares more intel at some point too.

I’m excited for the new coach, but I’m also curious if we can get any closure on our shared month of insanity. And I wanted to point to the podcast that backed up our insiders.  

 

[Chris007 60,503]

5 minutes ago, Ctf9 said:

I’m starting a new thread because (understandably) a lot of posters just want to look forward. But I think this info is useful for contextualizing what @Chris007 and @BehindTheBench and @GP711 were passing along.

On Monday night, March 17, a full day before the DeVries news leaked, Curry Hicks Sage on his influential national podcast said that IU seemed out on McCollum and that it was between DeVries and “someone really ******* big.” Curry also said he meant someone like Stevens, even if he didn’t know who exactly it was.

This podcast has the best info of anyone—even better than Trilly. I think it’s easy to connect the dots here and say that our insiders had heard for weeks that Stevens was in serious talks and that he ultimately declined this weekend. Dolson didn’t want to get caught flat footed again so he had also been working for weeks on backups, including DeVries. Once Stevens was out, Dolson pivoted.

There’s obviously a game of telephone between the donors here, which may explain why @BehindTheBench heard that Stevens said yes while @Chris007 heard only that Stevens had not said no. 

Also, I still have a lot of questions, mostly involving why exactly Stevens said no a second time. My sense was always that Chris was pretty optimistic based on his info—the Center Grove house, for instance—but that he tried to keep his optimism in check so as not to repeat the heartbreak of the last search. He and most of the other insiders were clearly trying to be level headed, and I appreciate them doing that. 

I understand why some other posters still feel misled about Stevens, but the Curry Hicks Sage podcast suggests this was all real. Again, I have no idea why Stevens said no. I am curious to hear any other details people want to share—not just on Stevens but also on whether McCollum was actually Dolson’s choice over DeVries, as Chris hinted. I can’t be the only who hopes that @JerryYeagley23 shares more intel at some point too.

I’m excited for the new coach, but I’m also curious if we can get any closure on our shared month of insanity. And I wanted to point to the podcast that backed up our insiders.  

 

Word got spread to a lot of people that he said yes. RTZ, BTB, Toni, AP, GP, Mrbball and myself all heard that. Then a little birdie told me Sunday night that he actually said no and Dolson was crushed for a little bit but thankfully he had been working on a backup plan since January with McCollum and DeVries. I would say a lot of people on here already know this. I’ve been asked by at least 25 people today for the full story. I can send it to you if you would like. Just to be clear I love the hire and IMO Dolson handled this perfectly.

[Ctf9 399]

Just now, Chris007 said:

Word got spread to a lot of people that he said yes.

Sure I’d love to see it. I’ve never sent anyone a DM because I try to respect everyone’s time and sanity, lol. But I’m definitely curious what happened and if we have hints on why he said no. 

Thanks for replying. You and the others made the last few weeks very fun. And I agree—I’m more a McCollum guy than a DeVries guy, but I think this hire will make us very good next year. I see the vision. 

[Chris007 60,503]

1 minute ago, Ctf9 said:

Sure I’d love to see it. I’ve never sent anyone a DM because I try to respect everyone’s time and sanity, lol. But I’m definitely curious what happened and if we have hints on why he said no. 

Thanks for replying. You and the others made the last few weeks very fun. And I agree—I’m more a McCollum guy than a DeVries guy, but I think this hire will make us very good next year. I see the vision. 

It will be tomorrow morning but I’ll get it to you. I’m not sure if Jerry will be able to share everything or not but it would blow your mind. 

[iu eyedoc 4,244]

4 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

Word got spread to a lot of people that he said yes. RTZ, BTB, Toni, AP, GP, Mrbball and myself all heard that. Then a little birdie told me Sunday night that he actually said no and Dolson was crushed for a little bit but thankfully he had been working on a backup plan since January with McCollum and DeVries. I would say a lot of people on here already know this. I’ve been asked by at least 25 people today for the full story. I can send it to you if you would like. Just to be clear I love the hire and IMO Dolson handled this perfectly.

Let's hope Stevens regrets his second last second about face for a good 15 years this time.

[Chris007 60,503]

2 minutes ago, iu eyedoc said:

Let's hope Stevens regrets his second last second about face for a good 15 years this time.

Agreed. I’m a couple months younger than DRock and I hope we retire together 

[RoadRage 2,949]

I'm sure I am in the minority, but if Stevens didn't really want the job I am really glad he said no! Glad we got a coach that wants to be here, I think we may have hit a homerun!

[TheWatShot 15,338]

If he really did back out again, it just further confirms my conspiratorial belief that IU basketball is a staged reality TV show where we can't ever become elite again because it would end the show. 

[Ctf9 399]

3 minutes ago, RoadRage said:

I'm sure I am in the minority, but if Stevens didn't really want the job I am really glad he said no! Glad we got a coach that wants to be here, I think we may have hit a homerun!

That’s why I’m curious why he said no! But if he was just waffling about college vs the NBA or something I totally agree.

[Mopladysman 1,307]

26 minutes ago, Ctf9 said:

I’m starting a new thread because (understandably) a lot of posters just want to look forward. But I think this info is useful for contextualizing what @Chris007 and @BehindTheBench and @GP711 were passing along.

On Monday night, March 17, a full day before the DeVries news leaked, Curry Hicks Sage on his influential national podcast said that IU seemed out on McCollum and that it was between DeVries and “someone really ******* big.” Curry also said he meant someone like Stevens, even if he didn’t know who exactly it was.

This podcast has the best info of anyone—even better than Trilly. I think it’s easy to connect the dots here and say that our insiders had heard for weeks that Stevens was in serious talks and that he ultimately declined this weekend. Dolson didn’t want to get caught flat footed again so he had also been working for weeks on backups, including DeVries. Once Stevens was out, Dolson pivoted.

There’s obviously a game of telephone between the donors here, which may explain why @BehindTheBench heard that Stevens said yes while @Chris007 heard only that Stevens had not said no. 

Also, I still have a lot of questions, mostly involving why exactly Stevens said no a second time. My sense was always that Chris was pretty optimistic based on his info—the Center Grove house, for instance—but that he tried to keep his optimism in check so as not to repeat the heartbreak of the last search. He and most of the other insiders were clearly trying to be level headed, and I appreciate them doing that. 

I understand why some other posters still feel misled about Stevens, but the Curry Hicks Sage podcast suggests this was all real. Again, I have no idea why Stevens said no. I am curious to hear any other details people want to share—not just on Stevens but also on whether McCollum was actually Dolson’s choice over DeVries, as Chris hinted. I can’t be the only who hopes that @JerryYeagley23 shares more intel at some point too.

I’m excited for the new coach, but I’m also curious if we can get any closure on our shared month of insanity. And I wanted to point to the podcast that backed up our insiders.  

 

Let me get this straight.  Because hicks said he heard there was a big candidate in the mix Sunday night that means to you that the rest of this has to be true?  

[IvanRenkosillegitimatechild 501]

12 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

It will be tomorrow morning but I’ll get it to you. I’m not sure if Jerry will be able to share everything or not but it would blow your mind. 

Do you mind sending it to me tomorrow morning or afternoon as well? Thanks for everything you bring to the board and it’s ridiculous how people are treating you.

[Ctf9 399]

1 minute ago, Mopladysman said:

Let me get this straight.  Because hicks said he heard there was a big candidate in the mix Sunday night that means to you that the rest of this has to be true?  

Not necessarily but I have no reason to think Chris or the other insiders were lying. And the Hicks context is a national clue that aligns with what they said.

Also the fact that Hicks knew DeVries before almost anyone else suggests the other part of his report is true—there really was a big candidate who was in until the last minute.

It’s hard for me to imagine Stevens backing out again but that’s where the telephone stuff comes into play. Or maybe Dolson didn’t need anyone to give a final yes or no until the season ended. Who knows? We will never know everything. 

[Golfman25 6,509]

It sounds to me like Stevens was always a “maybe,” as in as long as Scott had time he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.  I doubt there was a firm yes and definitely doubt anything was signed.   I think Scott knew nothing with college guys could be locked down until tournament time, depending on who is in and who is out.  So he could keep the stevens option open for a while.  Until then he would do his homework and get ready.  The closer we got to tournament time, the more likely stevens was not going to change his mind.  So he starts formally working DeVries, et. al. a few weeks ago.   The big unexpected event was both IU and WVU getting snubbed from the tournament.  That opened the floodgates and allowed Scott to finish up this week.  
 

As Dolson wasn’t very chatty I think people close to him held on to the Stevens dream which turned into he was signed, sealed, and delivered.  Or Dolson went on an epic troll.  :)

[Pagoda 3,925]

It would be pretty interesting if the story ever comes out on DeVries vs McCollum and how it ended up being CDD.

As for Brad, I like him and knew their family a bit growing up.  If he declined Sunday that is a pretty late in the game “no.”  Surprising his feedback wasn’t quicker or Scott didn’t set an earlier deadline — like how much time do you need Brad?  I’m not disputing facts or anything, this is just a reaction I had when I heard it.  Things worked out fine with CDD so that’s good.

Anyways, IUBB is never short on drama.  Add it all to the already extensive IUBB lore.

[Chris007 60,503]

2 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

It would be pretty interesting if the story ever comes out on DeVries vs McCollum and how it ended up being Darin.

As for Brad, I like him and knew their family a bit growing up.  If he declined Sunday that is a pretty late in the game “no.”  Surprising his feedback wasn’t quicker or Scott didn’t set an earlier deadline — like how much time do you need Brad?  I’m not disputing facts or anything, this is just a reaction I had when I heard it.

Anyways, IUBB is never short on drama.  Add it all to the already extensive IUBB lore.

Devries said yes after McCollum said let me think about it.

[Hoosierfan1901 8,117]

Guess I have donate my “If it ain’t Brad, it ain’t Rad” shirts, waste of money. Spent about a month working on them.

”it’s D-rockin time” shirts will be the new ones.

[Mopladysman 1,307]

6 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

Devries said yes after McCollum said let me think about it.

It’s weird he would say that since he was already a back pocket yes.  

[Chris007 60,503]

7 minutes ago, Mopladysman said:

It’s weird he would say that since he was already a back pocket yes.  

I’ve said many times I’ve been wrong before but that was what I was told at the time. I appreciate you pointing it out. Is my wife paying you to follow me around?

[Magnanimous 5,336]

19 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

Devries said yes after McCollum said let me think about it.

 

[AZ Hoosier 10,493]

38 minutes ago, Hoosierfan1901 said:

Guess I have donate my “If it ain’t Brad, it ain’t Rad” shirts, waste of money. Spent about a month working on them.

”it’s D-rockin time” shirts will be the new ones.

I'm sure the kids in Tanzania will love the tees...