IU’s basketball culture is dead (and the case for why our next coach should be given 6+ seasons)

[Mopladysman]

9 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

I’m indifferent on IU basketball this point and just view resources directed toward it as a waste of funds that could go to Coach Cig. 

But it seems like we have people preaching patience with every hire, we see other guys come in and win immediately, and then our guy never gets it going. Iowa is in the elite 8 while our guy couldn’t get his team to win 1 of 2 against a crappy northwestern team to make the tournament. Maybe he’ll get it going in year 2. Maybe our donors can buy a good enough team. But everything we’ve seen from Devries in his 12 months has been incredibly meh. 

I’m with you man.  Tired of watching everyone else score.  

[Hornsby]

2 hours ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

I’m indifferent on IU basketball this point and just view resources directed toward it as a waste of funds that could go to Coach Cig. 

But it seems like we have people preaching patience with every hire, we see other guys come in and win immediately, and then our guy never gets it going. Iowa is in the elite 8 while our guy couldn’t get his team to win 1 of 2 against a crappy northwestern team to make the tournament. Maybe he’ll get it going in year 2. Maybe our donors can buy a good enough team. But everything we’ve seen from Devries in his 12 months has been incredibly meh. 

Maybe he can get it going in year two who knows but the examples of coach k are dumb that was pre nil. 

[Hornsby]

On 3/22/2026 at 8:04 PM, AZ Hoosier said:

Not to mention a legitimate shot at Dusty May.

One thing IU has always has been good at is being late to the game on coaching hires or making the wrong ones. Maybe dd works out who knows but Iowa so far makes google me I win look pretty solid. 

[pumpfake]

The immediate success of McCollum & May would seem to ramp up the pressure on DeVries.  Maybe a good thing - we'll see how he responds.

[Home Jersey]

7 minutes ago, pumpfake said:

The immediate success of McCollum & May would seem to ramp up the pressure of DeVries.  Maybe a good thing - we'll see how he responds.

Maybe it ramps up the noise externally. Internally at IU, I don't think that stuff adds pressure for him... I think he's running his own race, so to speak. Which is fine IMO as long as he's moving at an acceptable pace. 

[Kentuckysucks]

8 hours ago, Hornsby said:

One thing IU has always has been good at is being late to the game on coaching hires or making the wrong ones. Maybe dd works out who knows but Iowa so far makes google me I win look pretty solid. 

Its always this holier than thou we know more than the fans from our administration. Problem is that they never have.

[pumpfake]

1 hour ago, Home Jersey said:

Maybe it ramps up the noise externally. Internally at IU, I don't think that stuff adds pressure for him... I think he's running his own race, so to speak. Which is fine IMO as long as he's moving at an acceptable pace. 

True.  I'm pointing more toward fan and media reaction.  Clearly, success or lack thereof has never had an immediate affect on how IU acts internally.

[Lebowski]

I just went through 17 pages and only saw Pam Whitten mentioned once. I could be wrong because it was a quick glance and I didn't fully read every comment. But it's nuts not to recognize the value of leadership from the top. 

When she became the 19th president of IU on July 1, 2021 is when the budget, spotlight, and resources shifted to the true revenue maker in college sports. She understood this on day one. No other president in the history of the school ever made such a paradigm shift for the university. And it paid off. 

It didn't happen over night, if you recall IUFB shook the trees for a couple of years prior to Curt Cignetti. They, meaning the top brass (Whitten and Dolson), built the infrastructure, hired the right staff, moved to contemporary jobs, and, most importantly, raised the funds that were needed. Once that happened, they did the coaching search. It took roughly 4 years to get to the point where IUFB is today. 

I firmly believe had any IUFB coach gone 6-6 or 7-6 over the last two years he'd be in an incredibly hot seat right now. The vision isn't 6-6 and that started when Whitten got hired. The brand isn't 6-6. Having a shot at the CFP is the brand. Understand this.

Bloomington is now a place to be on Saturday's during the Fall. 50, 60 thousands come in and basically get a Little 5 every home game. This is the IU student experience today. The fans are showing up! This is her vision. 

Whitten and Dolson aren't done. IUBB will reap the benefits of her vision. Revenue. Revenue from IUFB will help this process. If DeVries doesn't produce to a standard, he'll be gone. That's the M.O. of this current administration, as it should be in my opinion. Coaching matters. You either have it or you don't. 

Is the IUBB culture dead? No. Does it need a jolt? Yes. But make no mistake, the top brass isn't treating IUBB like an intramural sport. Give it time and have faith. 
 

[68Hoosier]

30 minutes ago, Lebowski said:

I just went through 17 pages and only saw Pam Whitten mentioned once. I could be wrong because it was a quick glance and I didn't fully read every comment. But it's nuts not to recognize the value of leadership from the top. 

When she became the 19th president of IU on July 1, 2021 is when the budget, spotlight, and resources shifted to the true revenue maker in college sports. She understood this on day one. No other president in the history of the school ever made such a paradigm shift for the university. And it paid off. 

It didn't happen over night, if you recall IUFB shook the trees for a couple of years prior to Curt Cignetti. They, meaning the top brass (Whitten and Dolson), built the infrastructure, hired the right staff, moved to contemporary jobs, and, most importantly, raised the funds that were needed. Once that happened, they did the coaching search. It took roughly 4 years to get to the point where IUFB is today. 

I firmly believe had any IUFB coach gone 6-6 or 7-6 over the last two years he'd be in an incredibly hot seat right now. The vision isn't 6-6 and that started when Whitten got hired. The brand isn't 6-6. Having a shot at the CFP is the brand. Understand this.

Bloomington is now a place to be on Saturday's during the Fall. 50, 60 thousands come in and basically get a Little 5 every home game. This is the IU student experience today. The fans are showing up! This is her vision. 

Whitten and Dolson aren't done. IUBB will reap the benefits of her vision. Revenue. Revenue from IUFB will help this process. If DeVries doesn't produce to a standard, he'll be gone. That's the M.O. of this current administration, as it should be in my opinion. Coaching matters. You either have it or you don't. 

Is the IUBB culture dead? No. Does it need a jolt? Yes. But make no mistake, the top brass isn't treating IUBB like an intramural sport. Give it time and have faith. 
 

Man, I hope you are right.  It has been a long dry spell for a basketball hungry fanbase.  The good thing is that the football team has distracted them for a bit.  

[Lebowski]

1 hour ago, 68Hoosier said:

Man, I hope you are right.  It has been a long dry spell for a basketball hungry fanbase.  The good thing is that the football team has distracted them for a bit.  

I'm a football guy so you can imagine what kind of 'dry spell' I was put through before Pam Whitten. LOL! 

I have faith. She understands that athletics is part of the fabric of Indiana University. 

[str8baller]

3 hours ago, Lebowski said:

I just went through 17 pages and only saw Pam Whitten mentioned once. I could be wrong because it was a quick glance and I didn't fully read every comment. But it's nuts not to recognize the value of leadership from the top. 

When she became the 19th president of IU on July 1, 2021 is when the budget, spotlight, and resources shifted to the true revenue maker in college sports. She understood this on day one. No other president in the history of the school ever made such a paradigm shift for the university. And it paid off. 

It didn't happen over night, if you recall IUFB shook the trees for a couple of years prior to Curt Cignetti. They, meaning the top brass (Whitten and Dolson), built the infrastructure, hired the right staff, moved to contemporary jobs, and, most importantly, raised the funds that were needed. Once that happened, they did the coaching search. It took roughly 4 years to get to the point where IUFB is today. 

I firmly believe had any IUFB coach gone 6-6 or 7-6 over the last two years he'd be in an incredibly hot seat right now. The vision isn't 6-6 and that started when Whitten got hired. The brand isn't 6-6. Having a shot at the CFP is the brand. Understand this.

Bloomington is now a place to be on Saturday's during the Fall. 50, 60 thousands come in and basically get a Little 5 every home game. This is the IU student experience today. The fans are showing up! This is her vision. 

Whitten and Dolson aren't done. IUBB will reap the benefits of her vision. Revenue. Revenue from IUFB will help this process. If DeVries doesn't produce to a standard, he'll be gone. That's the M.O. of this current administration, as it should be in my opinion. Coaching matters. You either have it or you don't. 

Is the IUBB culture dead? No. Does it need a jolt? Yes. But make no mistake, the top brass isn't treating IUBB like an intramural sport. Give it time and have faith. 
 

The fact that Cig name-checks Whitten and Dolson in about every big interview is what gives me confidence. If THAT guy thinks they’re important and have the right stuff then who am I to disagree. My only hope is that the football natty gives them enough rope to tell the board and other basketball meddlers to back off so they can do what needs to be done.  
 

Cig is the younger generations Knight. Hopefully he gives the younger fans the confidence that we can also compete at the highest level in basketball. 

[Ryno6284]

20 hours ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Ben McCollum is taking Iowa to the Elite 8 in year 1 and we’re here debating how a coach needs years and years to build a foundation. 

Some of us wanted him...But he didn't want us!

[IUCrazy2]

On 3/27/2026 at 11:55 AM, Lebowski said:

I just went through 17 pages and only saw Pam Whitten mentioned once. I could be wrong because it was a quick glance and I didn't fully read every comment. But it's nuts not to recognize the value of leadership from the top. 

When she became the 19th president of IU on July 1, 2021 is when the budget, spotlight, and resources shifted to the true revenue maker in college sports. She understood this on day one. No other president in the history of the school ever made such a paradigm shift for the university. And it paid off. 

It didn't happen over night, if you recall IUFB shook the trees for a couple of years prior to Curt Cignetti. They, meaning the top brass (Whitten and Dolson), built the infrastructure, hired the right staff, moved to contemporary jobs, and, most importantly, raised the funds that were needed. Once that happened, they did the coaching search. It took roughly 4 years to get to the point where IUFB is today. 

I firmly believe had any IUFB coach gone 6-6 or 7-6 over the last two years he'd be in an incredibly hot seat right now. The vision isn't 6-6 and that started when Whitten got hired. The brand isn't 6-6. Having a shot at the CFP is the brand. Understand this.

Bloomington is now a place to be on Saturday's during the Fall. 50, 60 thousands come in and basically get a Little 5 every home game. This is the IU student experience today. The fans are showing up! This is her vision. 

Whitten and Dolson aren't done. IUBB will reap the benefits of her vision. Revenue. Revenue from IUFB will help this process. If DeVries doesn't produce to a standard, he'll be gone. That's the M.O. of this current administration, as it should be in my opinion. Coaching matters. You either have it or you don't. 

Is the IUBB culture dead? No. Does it need a jolt? Yes. But make no mistake, the top brass isn't treating IUBB like an intramural sport. Give it time and have faith. 
 

I hope you turn out to be prescient but my faith has been slowly wrung out of me since the night Knight walked out of Assembly Hall and told us all to go home and give the cops a break.  I am Doubting Thomas, show me the nail marks of consistent winning seasons and then maybe I will believe.

[Alford Bailey]

On 3/27/2026 at 11:55 AM, Lebowski said:

I just went through 17 pages and only saw Pam Whitten mentioned once. I could be wrong because it was a quick glance and I didn't fully read every comment. But it's nuts not to recognize the value of leadership from the top. 

When she became the 19th president of IU on July 1, 2021 is when the budget, spotlight, and resources shifted to the true revenue maker in college sports. She understood this on day one. No other president in the history of the school ever made such a paradigm shift for the university. And it paid off. 

It didn't happen over night, if you recall IUFB shook the trees for a couple of years prior to Curt Cignetti. They, meaning the top brass (Whitten and Dolson), built the infrastructure, hired the right staff, moved to contemporary jobs, and, most importantly, raised the funds that were needed. Once that happened, they did the coaching search. It took roughly 4 years to get to the point where IUFB is today. 

I firmly believe had any IUFB coach gone 6-6 or 7-6 over the last two years he'd be in an incredibly hot seat right now. The vision isn't 6-6 and that started when Whitten got hired. The brand isn't 6-6. Having a shot at the CFP is the brand. Understand this.

Bloomington is now a place to be on Saturday's during the Fall. 50, 60 thousands come in and basically get a Little 5 every home game. This is the IU student experience today. The fans are showing up! This is her vision. 

Whitten and Dolson aren't done. IUBB will reap the benefits of her vision. Revenue. Revenue from IUFB will help this process. If DeVries doesn't produce to a standard, he'll be gone. That's the M.O. of this current administration, as it should be in my opinion. Coaching matters. You either have it or you don't. 

Is the IUBB culture dead? No. Does it need a jolt? Yes. But make no mistake, the top brass isn't treating IUBB like an intramural sport. Give it time and have faith. 
 

Good post. I’m a Whitten fan. Met her at my daughters graduation.

[Lebowski]

4 hours ago, IUCrazy2 said:

I hope you turn out to be prescient but my faith has been slowly wrung out of me since the night Knight walked out of Assembly Hall and told us all to go home and give the cops a break.  I am Doubting Thomas, show me the nail marks of consistent winning seasons and then maybe I will believe.

Yeah, well, I'm a football guy so my misery of watching administration after administration after administration continue to focus on the wrong sport or no sport at all year after year has hardened me a bit. We'll be fine. Good things are happening for athletics at Indiana University.  

[SlammySammy]

I’m back just to say I told you so….we should have hired McCollum….thanks you for your attention to this matter. I bid you adieu until my next comment is needed.

[IUguy77]

59 minutes ago, SlammySammy said:

I’m back just to say I told you so….we should have hired McCollum….thanks you for your attention to this matter. I bid you adieu until my next comment is needed.

Yep same. Plenty of clown on here wanted to push back on McCollum. Now here we are stuck with Archie DeVries. The basketball program is pathetic. 

[str8baller]

1 hour ago, SlammySammy said:

I’m back just to say I told you so….we should have hired McCollum….thanks you for your attention to this matter. I bid you adieu until my next comment is needed.

 

5 minutes ago, IUguy77 said:

Yep same. Plenty of clown on here wanted to push back on McCollum. Now here we are stuck with Archie DeVries. The basketball program is pathetic. 

If you’re of that disposition it has to kill you that IU had credible shots at both May and McCollum. Kind of crazy to think about. 

[IUguy77]

Just now, str8baller said:

 

If you’re of that disposition it has to kill you that IU had credible shots at both May and McCollum. Kind of crazy to think about. 

 

Just now, str8baller said:

 

If you’re of that disposition it has to kill you that IU had credible shots at both May and McCollum. Kind of crazy to think about. 

It’s worse than that. IU could have had Brad Stevens too. Stevens had just went to his 2nd title game at end of Crean 3rd season. Had a grandslam 45 minutes up the road and could have fired Crean and hired him. But IU is more worried about image and all the BS than winning. Sat on their hands and stuck with Crean. Did same with Woodson and May. Then could have thrown a massive money offer at McCollum but chose the lesser Drake coach that no one else wanted instead. 

[BA47591]

I'm not so sure some of the names mentioned were interested. I thought this hire required a massive offer to a big name and was wildly disappointed with the hire. I have grown to respect the x/o and game management of DD.Lets see what we look like by the end of May. I'm optimistic right now. Historically speaking, I'm not sure we could be less competent than this same time last year. 

I think there is a chance that we can have an enjoyable team, winning team with high integrity guys. The problem with not going the big money proven route,  there may be 8 coaches better than ours in the conference, maybe not though.