Drake Bulldogs

[MTBRider22]

I think recruiting is certainly a concern. I think what IU's resources will do for the next coach is similar to what it did for all our previous coaches...it'll get anyone and everyone's attention. And like all our previous coaches, it'll allow them to land elite level players. RMK, Davis, Sampson, Crean, Archie, and Woodson were all able to land their fair share of elite talent. Obviously, their ability to win with them was varied, and has progressively diminished throughout the years.

The keys will be... 1)How engaged and active is the new coaching staff with ALL the various recruiting pools (Elite HS, portal kids, foreign kids, JUCO maybe with the new rules, etc...) 2)Will the new program's style of play be appealing to the masses? Or will it be very specific in the types of players it attracts? And if its the latter, how good is the staff at landing the very best and most talented players that are fits?

One thing I think everyone needs to keep in mind regarding how would he do recruiting and with roster construction is remember that chances are whoever will be the next head coach is probably going to have a "GM" to help out. You would have to think with the large NIL/Rev sharing that will be in place, the top dogs are all going to have this position. This should be a huge help to whomever is next and in particular if they haven't been at the high D1 level.

I have no idea who the next coach will be, but can say that the coaching friends I have keep harping on how good this guy is. He's already somewhat of a legend in coaching circles....which is kind of evident by the article.

 

[mohoosier]

That's EXACTLY what I said when his name was first mentioned on here. Then I started learning about this guy and watching Drake games. McCollum stands above other mid-major coaches, including Archie ... and I don't think it's that close.

All that said, I get the concerns ... and they're valid. But, imo, this would actually be a low-risk hire--high floor, high ceiling. I don't know if IU is interested in BM, and I don't know if BM is interested in IU ... but I hope the answer is "yes" on both counts.

I admit, on the surface it wouldn't be a sexy hire. But you know what IS damn sexy? Consistent winning.

Again GT, no matter which way you cut it, less than a full year at the non-P4 D1 level, is still what it is. And worse, it’s still what it’s not. We’ve done this before, why do it again when we don’t have to?

McCollum right now is nowhere near Arch was when we hired him. Could he be better? Sure. Would he be? We don’t know. And that has to stop with these hires. We are not an up and coming program so why hire an up and coming coach?? And, please don’t mention Cig right here because the two positions couldn’t be more opposite.

 

[hozo4ultimate]

No to McCollum watch the pod

View embedded media

Watched it (I'll never get that time back). I don't think McCollum is the next coach, but nothing in that pod makes me think he shouldn't be.

 

[CG Paul]

Again GT, no matter which way you cut it, less than a full year at the non-P4 D1 level, is still what it is. And worse, it’s still what it’s not. We’ve done this before, why do it again when we don’t have to?

McCollum right now is nowhere near Arch was when we hired him. Could he be better? Sure. Would he be? We don’t know. And that has to stop with these hires. We are not an up and coming program so why hire an up and coming coach?? And, please don’t mention Cig right here because the two positions couldn’t be more opposite.

I respect your opinions. We disagree on this topic.

McCollum has been a HC for sixteen seasons, Archie had six years in when IU hired him. Most all felt Archie was a good/great hire at the time.

You’re right about Cig and the positions being different but there are some similarities between the two. One being that they both started their head coaching careers at lower levels, made mistakes, and then worked their way through them. You don’t necessarily get that opportunity in the upper levels. There’s more similarities but I’ll stop there.

Of the things that intrigues me most about him is that he knows what characteristics he’s looking for in a player when he’s recruiting them and abides by them.

His managing style is another. Having the whole team believing and executing the game plan as designed and them wanting to play that way. Adjusting his offense/defense based on the players strengths.

To me, those are the qualities you hope to have in your coach. He’s been successful at it for many years.

 

[bailey777]

Again GT, no matter which way you cut it, less than a full year at the non-P4 D1 level, is still what it is. And worse, it’s still what it’s not. We’ve done this before, why do it again when we don’t have to?

McCollum right now is nowhere near Arch was when we hired him. Could he be better? Sure. Would he be? We don’t know. And that has to stop with these hires. We are not an up and coming program so why hire an up and coming coach?? And, please don’t mention Cig right here because the two positions couldn’t be more opposite.

That is pretty much where I am at but I kept reading posts where people have convinced themselves he is not archie 2.0 and would kill it here. I mean who knows but why take the risk one year at division one is just not enough time to evaluate someone I dont care what they did at D2 its a totally different world at high level D1. I think the whole cig hire has convinced some Dolson is some sort of genius who can do it all over again with an up and comer in basketball.

 

[CG Paul]

That is pretty much where I am at but I kept reading posts where people have convinced themselves he is not archie 2.0 and would kill it here. I mean who knows but why take the risk one year at division one is just not enough time to evaluate someone I dont care what they did at D2 its a totally different world at high level D1. I think the whole cig hire has convinced some Dolson is some sort of genius who can do it all over again with an up and comer in basketball.

Certainly D2 is different than D1, but you don’t care what he’s done there? It’s completely relevant. If he was mediocre there he would never be considered. He’s had the best run (5 years I think) of any coach, at any level, men’s or women’s, EVER. Over a .900 winning percentage! He’s definitely more than an up and comer.

Other successful D1, Power Four, coaches laud his abilities and consult him for his basketball acumen.

And the Cig thing again. One thing similar about them is they both have a process they believe in and have proven to be highly successful executing it over a significant amount of time.

I understand the hesitancy of the thought of hiring a coach with one year in D1. That’s why everyone gets vetted. I hope IU is vetting him and liking what they’re seeing.

Time will tell.

 

[frikkenfrakken]

That is pretty much where I am at but I kept reading posts where people have convinced themselves he is not archie 2.0 and would kill it here. I mean who knows but why take the risk one year at division one is just not enough time to evaluate someone I dont care what they did at D2 its a totally different world at high level D1. I think the whole cig hire has convinced some Dolson is some sort of genius who can do it all over again with an up and comer in basketball.

It's really not a whole different world. It's not like we're trying to get him to coach the LaCrosse team.

Get out a tape measure if you need to check and see if the rim is the same height at Assembly Hall as it is in Des Moines.

Why take the risk? Because they are all risks. Beard might punch an old lady. Stevens might say no. Buzz Williams might have a coronary. But McCollum's ceiling is insane. Maybe he won't get there at IU, but if he does, he would be the greatest coach in our history. Wooden-level dominance, which is realistic now that everything Sam Gilbert did is probably legal now.

You take the risk because his upside is unknowable. He's a free lottery ticket. Sure, you might not win, but you check the numbers anyway, given how life altering the results could be.

If he can't get traction, oh well. Try again in 3-5 years.

 

[kmathum]

It's really not a whole different world. It's not like we're trying to get him to coach the LaCrosse team.

Get out a tape measure if you need to check and see if the rim is the same height at Assembly Hall as it is in Des Moines.

Why take the risk? Because they are all risks. Beard might punch an old lady. Stevens might say no. Buzz Williams might have a coronary. But McCollum's ceiling is insane. Maybe he won't get there at IU, but if he does, he would be the greatest coach in our history. Wooden-level dominance, which is realistic now that everything Sam Gilbert did is probably legal now.

You take the risk because his upside is unknowable. He's a free lottery ticket. Sure, you might not win, but you check the numbers anyway, given how life altering the results could be.

If he can't get traction, oh well. Try again in 3-5 years.

He da MAN!!!

 

[kkott]

It's really not a whole different world. It's not like we're trying to get him to coach the LaCrosse team.

Get out a tape measure if you need to check and see if the rim is the same height at Assembly Hall as it is in Des Moines.

Why take the risk? Because they are all risks. Beard might punch an old lady. Stevens might say no. Buzz Williams might have a coronary. But McCollum's ceiling is insane. Maybe he won't get there at IU, but if he does, he would be the greatest coach in our history. Wooden-level dominance, which is realistic now that everything Sam Gilbert did is probably legal now.

You take the risk because his upside is unknowable. He's a free lottery ticket. Sure, you might not win, but you check the numbers anyway, given how life altering the results could be.

If he can't get traction, oh well. Try again in 3-5 years.

I'd say "free lottery ticket" is not a good example. You know how often lottery tickets hit, right? I've said all along, our best bet at another program-changing elite coach is the mid-major path, or I guess a top assistant ala Tommy Lloyd. The new approach seems to be GMs to assist, and that sounds great, but I don't know that it's proven successful anywhere as of yet. McCollum is definitely of interest and hope SD is reaching out and vetting him.

 

[ndhuntington]

Watched it (I'll never get that time back). I don't think McCollum is the next coach, but nothing in that pod makes me think he shouldn't be.

 

[ndhuntington]

I think he's often one of the more realistic, level headed IU related Pod casters. And I think his concerns with McCollum are valid. But I would question how much of McCollum's games he's actually watched? Maybe he has? I've had a lot of these same concerns in the last few months about how "slow" they play. Now I've watched a half a dozen of their games, and watched some clips of various NWMS teams, and while the numbers are the numbers... they certainly don't come across as "slow" when you watch them. And further with the metrics numbers they have...they have one of the best defenses I've seen in college basketball in a while...and they're ranked 47 in KenPom net D effic. That's good...but not a lot different than the 80 they are on offense. And I think they're one of the best defensive teams in the nation.

And even further on the numbers... his schedule is obviously impacting his metrics numbers. And while the Valley has a couple other decent teams this year, namely Bradley... they don't have a team like ISU, or Northern Iowa from a few years ago, or Wichita State back in the day, to help them boost everyone's numbers.

Also...he's doing all these things that are attracting attention to him, with a lot of D2 kids. That brings another viable concern in to play with McCollum (can he recruit B10 level talent?)...but you HAVE to include that in to the analysis.

Finally...its pretty obvious he's out on McCollum, and has been for a fair bit. I think he's looking for reasons to knock McCollum down. And to piggy back one of his own main points. None of us KNOW which candidates are best for IU. None of us KNOW if McCollum would keep winning at the high major level. This fella doesn't know any more than any of us do on those things.

What I see is an exciting possibility. What I've read is that very successful, young coaches, like Grant McCasland, think he's brilliant.

Nothing the Podcast said did anything to convince me that McCollum isn't the best candidate. But like I've said a bazillion times, there are many others that would probably be great too.

Watch this one..

 

[TDHoosier]

Again GT, no matter which way you cut it, less than a full year at the non-P4 D1 level, is still what it is. And worse, it’s still what it’s not. We’ve done this before, why do it again when we don’t have to?

McCollum right now is nowhere near Arch was when we hired him. Could he be better? Sure. Would he be? We don’t know. And that has to stop with these hires. We are not an up and coming program so why hire an up and coming coach?? And, please don’t mention Cig right here because the two positions couldn’t be more opposite.

I totally agree BM has coached 33 D1 games and 90% against quad 3 or worse teams. The unknown is huge and why is IU in a spot where they have to go that route? Poor administration being the biggest reason, also if rumors of staff interfering with a hire due to differences being another. I definitely have rose colored glasses on when it comes to IU, too bad all great coaches do not. lol

 

[frikkenfrakken]

Watch this one..

View embedded media

I can't. They suck. They think they are funny. They are not.

 

[kmathum]

I can't. They suck. They think they are funny. They are not.

Anybody can have a podcast

 

[IUNorth]

I totally agree BM has coached 33 D1 games and 90% against quad 3 or worse teams. The unknown is huge and why is IU in a spot where they have to go that route? Poor administration being the biggest reason, also if rumors of staff interfering with a hire due to differences being another. I definitely have rose colored glasses on when it comes to IU, too bad all great coaches do not. lol

I’ve seen them. They don’t KNOW any more than any of us do.

 

[ANOTHERBANNERYEAR]

Again GT, no matter which way you cut it, less than a full year at the non-P4 D1 level, is still what it is. And worse, it’s still what it’s not. We’ve done this before, why do it again when we don’t have to?

McCollum right now is nowhere near Arch was when we hired him. Could he be better? Sure. Would he be? We don’t know. And that has to stop with these hires. We are not an up and coming program so why hire an up and coming coach?? And, please don’t mention Cig right here because the two positions couldn’t be more opposite.

I know it doesn’t matter who any of us think are possible candidates, but persuade me to think about your top 3 possible candidates.

 

[mushroomgod_1]

That is pretty much where I am at but I kept reading posts where people have convinced themselves he is not archie 2.0 and would kill it here. I mean who knows but why take the risk one year at division one is just not enough time to evaluate someone I dont care what they did at D2 its a totally different world at high level D1. I think the whole cig hire has convinced some Dolson is some sort of genius who can do it all over again with an up and comer in basketball.

One thing about Cig and McCollum....they're both the smartest guy in the room. Nobody ever described Archie that way.

 

[mohoosier]

A lot of people doubted a young coach from army 50 years ago.

Haha funny 😎

 

[mohoosier]

I know it doesn’t matter who any of us think are possible candidates, but persuade me to think about your top 3 possible candidates.

A coach who has been successful over a relatively long period at the P4 level. It’s not that difficult. There’s plenty of them out there. Davis wasn’t that, Crean wasn’t that, Archie wasn’t that and Woody wasn’t that.

 

[bailey777]

Certainly D2 is different than D1, but you don’t care what he’s done there? It’s completely relevant. If he was mediocre there he would never be considered. He’s had the best run (5 years I think) of any coach, at any level, men’s or women’s, EVER. Over a .900 winning percentage! He’s definitely more than an up and comer.

Other successful D1, Power Four, coaches laud his abilities and consult him for his basketball acumen.

And the Cig thing again. One thing similar about them is they both have a process they believe in and have proven to be highly successful executing it over a significant amount of time.

I understand the hesitancy of the thought of hiring a coach with one year in D1. That’s why everyone gets vetted. I hope IU is vetting him and liking what they’re seeing.

Time will tell.

My point is after 25 years of not relevant I do not think it is wise to take a risk on a guy with one year of D1 experience regardless of what he did in D2. I don't want to keep doing this every single four years. Dolson will sink or swim with this hire so he better make it a good one because I dont think the program can ever recover from another bad hire at this point.

And for anyone who uses bob knight or cig as an example for everyone of them they are five times as many who failed.

 

[Al Bino]

A coach who has been successful over a relatively long period at the P4 level. It’s not that difficult. There’s plenty of them out there. Davis wasn’t that, Crean wasn’t that, Archie wasn’t that and Woody wasn’t that.

Who? According to articles, Stevens = No, TJ = No, Drew = No, and so it goes, no, no, no.
The landscape of college sports has changed and all it takes is for one booster to infuse large $$$ and Ball State can become a force.
Guys are staying put at schools in the past were stepping stones to bigger jobs.

 

[ams66]

A coach who has been successful over a relatively long period at the P4 level. It’s not that difficult. There’s plenty of them out there. Davis wasn’t that, Crean wasn’t that, Archie wasn’t that and Woody wasn’t that.

The problem may be that there is a small number, maybe one (with baggage), or maybe none that are interested in the job.

 

[JBT Assoc]

I think BM is the real deal, but no, today's semifinal game wasn't a total outlier as far as style; the Bulldogs have won quite a few low-scoring games this season ... and they often make full use of the shot clock.

That said, I've watched several Drake games, and the 1st half wasn't indicative of how good they are/can be. Anyhow, it's certainly not pretty basketball ... but it's winning basketball.

I’ve watched parts of 3 recent Drake games.
Looks to me like they put the ball in Stirtz’s hands, and let him do his thing.
If I’m seeing coaching brilliance I’m missing it (highly possible).

 

[Harry Hondo]

Again GT, no matter which way you cut it, less than a full year at the non-P4 D1 level, is still what it is. And worse, it’s still what it’s not. We’ve done this before, why do it again when we don’t have to?

McCollum right now is nowhere near Arch was when we hired him. Could he be better? Sure. Would he be? We don’t know. And that has to stop with these hires. We are not an up and coming program so why hire an up and coming coach?? And, please don’t mention Cig right here because the two positions couldn’t be more opposite.

Frankly, your comparison is all wrong. Archie was a terrible coach for IU, regardless of his Dayton record, mainly because his personality was completely wrong for him to take over a program where you’re in the spotlight. If McCallum is outgoing and will embrace being in the fishbowl, then he’s ten times more qualified than Archie ever was.

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

One thing about Cig and McCollum....they're both the smartest guy in the room. Nobody ever described Archie that way.

They described him as the “shortest guy in the room.”

 

[IndyMitchell]

Frankly, your comparison is all wrong. Archie was a terrible coach for IU, regardless of his Dayton record, mainly because his personality was completely wrong for him to take over a program where you’re in the spotlight. If McCallum is outgoing and will embrace being in the fishbowl, then he’s ten times more qualified than Archie ever was.

I remember multiple buddies that thought we pullled off something special when he was announced. Luckily we were able to make a switch after only 4 years…

 

[UncleMark]

Frankly, your comparison is all wrong. Archie was a terrible coach for IU, regardless of his Dayton record, mainly because his personality was completely wrong for him to take over a program where you’re in the spotlight. If McCallum is outgoing and will embrace being in the fishbowl, then he’s ten times more qualified than Archie ever was.

People keep bringing up the personality thing, but for the life of me I can't understand what that has to do with him putting a shitty basketball team on the floor.

 

[abraxis]

How would those guys know?

Also, doubt basketball is different. The qualities that make a highly successful coach are probably 90% the same across all sports.

Coaching requires power of persuasion. A magnetic personality is a bonus in sales. We’re all salesmen, including coaches. It helps to recognize changing schemes, the tertiary nuances of a counterattack anticipated. Knight was a brilliant tactician, a man of military discipline honed on the hardwood at Army. Knight checked all the right boxes except the one “obnoxious personality”. I apologize for this diversion down Memory Ln.
Sorry.

 

[GThomas]

Folks, you realize what's happening, right? One person throws out a tweet, and 1,000 different "publications" run with it ... so it looks like "a thing."

You think some source inside Dolson's office is telling people, "Scott's striking out with everyone. He's on Plan Z right now"? GTFO. And those "Indiana is now focused on _________" bullshit is, well, bullshit.

SD might have secured Plan A a month ago. We. Don't. Know.

 

[mohoosier]

Frankly, your comparison is all wrong. Archie was a terrible coach for IU, regardless of his Dayton record, mainly because his personality was completely wrong for him to take over a program where you’re in the spotlight. If McCallum is outgoing and will embrace being in the fishbowl, then he’s ten times more qualified than Archie ever was.

Why is this so hard for you guys to see what Arch was WHEN WE HIRED HIM?? He was 10x the basketball coach McCollum is right now.

What is McCollum going to be at the P4 level?? You don’t have an answer for this, because why?

Then, you bring up his personality. So, how do you know what he’s going to be like when he’s over a Blue Blood program? Oh, you don’t have an answer for this one either, do you?

So, Arch had more tangibles than McCollum does right now. So, see the comparison and why this is not a good choice?

 

[OpenWheels]

Arch had more than four NCAA championships?!

And still didn't win at Indiana. Pssssh, guess we have lost the mojo.

 

[Krafty97grad]

Why is this so hard for you guys to see what Arch was WHEN WE HIRED HIM?? He was 10x the basketball coach McCollum is right now.

What is McCollum going to be at the P4 level?? You don’t have an answer for this, because why?

Then, you bring up his personality. So, how do you know what he’s going to be like when he’s over a Blue Blood program? Oh, you don’t have an answer for this one either, do you?

So, Arch had more tangibles than McCollum does right now. So, see the comparison and why this is not a good choice?

Think Marshall not Archie

 

[GThomas]

Let me offer a quick analogy...

Some people want IU to sign a proven free agent who's ceiling is relatively known. Others want to draft the college AA with a crazy upside who could be a franchise player.

 

[ANOTHERBANNERYEAR]

A coach who has been successful over a relatively long period at the P4 level. It’s not that difficult. There’s plenty of them out there. Davis wasn’t that, Crean wasn’t that, Archie wasn’t that and Woody wasn’t that.

Still waiting for an actual coaching thought from you…but I’m glad you had to remind us who wasn’t.

 

[ANOTHERBANNERYEAR]

Why is this so hard for you guys to see what Arch was WHEN WE HIRED HIM?? He was 10x the basketball coach McCollum is right now.

What is McCollum going to be at the P4 level?? You don’t have an answer for this, because why?

Then, you bring up his personality. So, how do you know what he’s going to be like when he’s over a Blue Blood program? Oh, you don’t have an answer for this one either, do you?

So, Arch had more tangibles than McCollum does right now. So, see the comparison and why this is not a good choice?

A coach who has been successful over a relatively long period at the P4 level. It’s not that difficult. There’s plenty of them out there. Davis wasn’t that, Crean wasn’t that, Archie wasn’t that and Woody wasn’t that.

I love playing fu_k, fu_k games too mo.
What’s next?

 

[OpenWheels]

Let me offer a quick analogy...

Some people want IU to sign a proven free agent who's ceiling is relatively known. Others want to draft the college AA with a crazy upside who could be a franchise player.

Draft Kobe! (Not Kwame Brown)