Indiana Basketball HC search. There are lots of names bouncing around, but who is really a viable candidate?

[Jim Coyle]

There are a lot of names being thrown around for the soon to be vacant head coaching position for Indiana basketball. How many are viable and how many are just wish list? How many will seriously consider making the move and who will just use it to get a pay bump? There is no question in my mind that Dusty May will get first crack at the job. He checks the boxes, you know what you're getting, and it is financially doable. I think Scott Drew is a viable candidate this time and the numbers work. Chris Beard checks a lot of boxes and the money works, but there is an elephant in the middle of this one. No matter, I believe it is Dusty May's to turn down and


https://indiana.rivals.com/news/indiana-basketball-coaching-hot-board-version-1-0

 

[dbmhoosier]

You and Bozich both agreed last week that the hire must be an alpha. Dusty May is the farthest thing from an alpha male you will ever find.

After Brad, Beard and Wade are the only sure things and I doubt either gets considered. Sad because Beard is an absolute perfect fit. Good chance we’re back here again in 4 years unfortunately.

 

[Jim Coyle]

You and Bozich both agreed last week that the hire must be an alpha. Dusty May is the farthest thing from an alpha male you will ever find.

After Brad, Beard and Wade are the only sure things and I doubt either gets considered. Sad because Beard is an absolute perfect fit. Good chance we’re back here again in 4 years unfortunately.

Indiana needs a winner, period. I am not sure Dusty is not an Alpha. Just because we do not see him going crazy on the sidelines. Most only see him during games. I don't think you can be successful at coaching Alpha males if you don't have some Alpha in you or you are one hell of a psychiatrist. I think Beard would be a great get, but I just do not see Indiana going there because of the DV. Maybe if they get turned down by a couple of their top choices? Stevens makes $11.2 million right now as President of the Boston Celtics, one of the most heralded pro franchises in all of sports, and I do not see him walking away from the NBA to take a job for less money and more stress. Personally, I do not see Will "strong-ass offer" Wade as even a remote possibility.

 

[bsmitty08]

You and Bozich both agreed last week that the hire must be an alpha. Dusty May is the farthest thing from an alpha male you will ever find.

After Brad, Beard and Wade are the only sure things and I doubt either gets considered. Sad because Beard is an absolute perfect fit. Good chance we’re back here again in 4 years unfortunately.

May would be a good hire and a safe hire.

 

[bsmitty08]

There are a lot of names being thrown around for the soon to be vacant head coaching position for Indiana basketball. How many are viable and how many are just wish list? How many will seriously consider making the move and who will just use it to get a pay bump? There is no question in my mind that Dusty May will get first crack at the job. He checks the boxes, you know what you're getting, and it is financially doable. I think Scott Drew is a viable candidate this time and the numbers work. Chris Beard checks a lot of boxes and the money works, but there is an elephant in the middle of this one. No matter, I believe it is Dusty May's to turn down and


https://indiana.rivals.com/news/indiana-basketball-coaching-hot-board-version-1-0

Few, May, Beard, Pearl would all be really good hires

 

[Jim Coyle]

Few, May, Beard, Pearl would all be really good hires

Few is not leaving Gonzaga and that micro conference they play in. Even though he will be 65 Pearl would probably have Indiana where Auburn is now quickly. Here's the harry but. As of April 1, 2024, his buyout was $14,635,417. Beard's numbers are very doable. I just do not see Indiana going that route. I believe things are hinging on whether or not Dusty May turns it down.

 

[bsmitty08]

Few is not leaving Gonzaga and that micro conference they play in. Even though he will be 65 Pearl would probably have Indiana where Auburn is now quickly. Here's the harry but. As of April 1, 2024, his buyout was $14,635,417. Beard's numbers are very doable. I just do not see Indiana going that route. I believe things are hinging on whether or not Dusty May turns it down.

Few will find it harder and harder to win with portal and NIL. If May is only option, I would be concerned

 

[Chicago-bound Hoosier]

Good Intel, I didn’t know Brad made that much. That ship sailed a decade ago. We have to move on from him. It’s just a dream we can’t let go of, but need to.

 

[BobbyKnightsGhost]

Indiana needs a winner, period. I am not sure Dusty is not an Alpha. Just because we do not see him going crazy on the sidelines. Most only see him during games. I don't think you can be successful at coaching Alpha males if you don't have some Alpha in you or you are one hell of a psychiatrist. I think Beard would be a great get, but I just do not see Indiana going there because of the DV. Maybe if they get turned down by a couple of their top choices? Stevens makes $11.2 million right now as President of the Boston Celtics, one of the most heralded pro franchises in all of sports, and I do not see him walking away from the NBA to take a job for less money and more stress. Personally, I do not see Will "strong-ass offer" Wade as even a remote possibility.

I hope you’ll do a serious, neutral, fair write up of Beard as a candidate just to test the waters and get the conversation out there so we can actually see what it looks like if he’s a top possibility or gets the job.
Highest ceiling and highest floor of anyone. There is a chance he makes a mistake. Fallout? IU fires him and asks Brad again or can ask a more proven Dusty. Nobody is talking poorly about Texas or TT for hiring him. Nobody is writing articles about Michigan for Harbaugh’s cheating, about Gonzaga for Fews DUIs. They are writing articles about IU being a joke for 23 years, about how irrelevant we are, how we shouldn’t have fired Sampson, shouldn’t have fired Bobby Knight.
Nobody is celebrating us for being squeaky clean.

Hiring a person for a job isn’t a grandiose statement of your approval of their moral history.

He can be hired and we can still as a society condemn domestic abuse.

Beard is the fastest safest bet to success and one of the few names that will scare the rest of thr CBB landscape. Roll the dice with him and it’s not a question of success or four year of losing. Worst case scenario we’re competing every year at the highest level and then we do the next coaching search from a position of winning instead of a 23 year out of control dumpster fire (but it’s a morally superior dumpster fire!). I’d bet it’s likely after a decade of winning without any issues.

 

[IndyMitchell]

There are a lot of names being thrown around for the soon to be vacant head coaching position for Indiana basketball. How many are viable and how many are just wish list? How many will seriously consider making the move and who will just use it to get a pay bump? There is no question in my mind that Dusty May will get first crack at the job. He checks the boxes, you know what you're getting, and it is financially doable. I think Scott Drew is a viable candidate this time and the numbers work. Chris Beard checks a lot of boxes and the money works, but there is an elephant in the middle of this one. No matter, I believe it is Dusty May's to turn down and


https://indiana.rivals.com/news/indiana-basketball-coaching-hot-board-version-1-0

I think the best actual coaching fit is Chris Beard and I don't know that it is that close. What he has done and how much of a difference he has made to the teams that he coaches is amazing. He also uses more of Coach Knight's principles than any other guy in college basketball.

I get that no one wants IU to be represented by someone that abused his ex-fiance. Obviously only he and his ex-fiance know how it all went down, how is all started, and what happened when it escalated. It does state he was trying to ignore her, then she pursued him, breaks his glasses, etc, and she even states that he was only acting in self-defense.

Anyway, his teams' motion offense and tough defense are SO MUCH fun to watch. He has guys playing way over their heads and with such confidence. I'd love to IU fans to be lucky enough to have those types of teams again. I am almost to the point of forgetting what IU basketball use to stand for... high basketball IQ, toughness, out smarting opponents even when over matched, and maximizing the team's potential.

I get the Brad Stevens call but if he isn't sure about returning to the college BB grind, then Beard is the best option.

 

[ANOTHERBANNERYEAR]

Hopefully Dolson stays with coaches whose winning % is above 650. Below that, then you’re talking about quite a few very decent coaches, but not great.
I think most would agree IU needs someone to keep us in the hunt for the big prize every year…and I don’t mean just getting into it.

 

[kkott]

I think the best actual coaching fit is Chris Beard and I don't know that it is that close. What he has done and how much of a difference he has made to the teams that he coaches is amazing. He also uses more of Coach Knight's principles than any other guy in college basketball.

I get that no one wants IU to be represented by someone that abused his ex-fiance. Obviously only he and his ex-fiance know how it all went down, how is all started, and what happened when it escalated. It does state he was trying to ignore her, then she pursued him, breaks his glasses, etc, and she even states that he was only acting in self-defense.

Anyway, his teams' motion offense and tough defense are SO MUCH fun to watch. He has guys playing way over their heads and with such confidence. I'd love to IU fans to be lucky enough to have those types of teams again. I am almost to the point of forgetting what IU basketball use to stand for... high basketball IQ, toughness, out smarting opponents even when over matched, and maximizing the team's potential.

I get the Brad Stevens call but if he isn't sure about returning to the college BB grind, then Beard is the best option.

Is Trew is ex-fiance? I thought they were still together, although I guess those aren't mutually exclusive. Absolutely Beard should be researched and considered if his past and explanations pass muster. From what's been rumored here, I think he should have also quit drinking as that sounds like it's been an issue for him also. If he hasn't stopped, then he doesn't think it's a problem, and that's a problem.

 

[IndyMitchell]

Is Trew is ex-fiance? I thought they were still together, although I guess those aren't mutually exclusive. Absolutely Beard should be researched and considered if his past and explanations pass muster. From what's been rumored here, I think he should have also quit drinking as that sounds like it's been an issue for him also. If he hasn't stopped, then he doesn't think it's a problem, and that's a problem.

I ready something saying they weren't together anymore but obviously I don't know their business. Yeah, drinking too much isn't good for a head coach.

 

[ndhuntington]

I want Beard but Dusty would be right there in my top 5. Dusty left the door open to leave Michigan but seems like a loyal guy and might not leave Michigan after one year. It's time to fear the beard shirts.

 

[IUgradman]

It will probably be Dusty.

 

[ndhuntington]

 

[capovito]

May would be a good hire and a safe hire.

Why is everyone so all in on May. When I see him I think of Crean's Marquette team. Still UNPROVEN over longer period of time. IU need to get over themselves and hire Beard.

 

[capovito]

I hope you’ll do a serious, neutral, fair write up of Beard as a candidate just to test the waters and get the conversation out there so we can actually see what it looks like if he’s a top possibility or gets the job.
Highest ceiling and highest floor of anyone. There is a chance he makes a mistake. Fallout? IU fires him and asks Brad again or can ask a more proven Dusty. Nobody is talking poorly about Texas or TT for hiring him. Nobody is writing articles about Michigan for Harbaugh’s cheating, about Gonzaga for Fews DUIs. They are writing articles about IU being a joke for 23 years, about how irrelevant we are, how we shouldn’t have fired Sampson, shouldn’t have fired Bobby Knight.
Nobody is celebrating us for being squeaky clean.

Hiring a person for a job isn’t a grandiose statement of your approval of their moral history.

He can be hired and we can still as a society condemn domestic abuse.

Beard is the fastest safest bet to success and one of the few names that will scare the rest of thr CBB landscape. Roll the dice with him and it’s not a question of success or four year of losing. Worst case scenario we’re competing every year at the highest level and then we do the next coaching search from a position of winning instead of a 23 year out of control dumpster fire (but it’s a morally superior dumpster fire!). I’d bet it’s likely after a decade of winning without any issues.

Spot on. Please hire Beard - he is unequivocally the best and most realistic candidate out there. Also, economically more feasible. We will regret not hiring him....

 

[bsmitty08]

Spot on. Please hire Beard - he is unequivocally the best and most realistic candidate out there. Also, economically more feasible. We will regret not hiring him....

Rumor is that he wants the job

 

[bum4iu2]

Hard to believe there are people on here that don’t want Beard because of so called baggage that he has been cleared of. Those same people most likely defended and praised Coach Knight through all of his antics. By the way I’m a Coach Knight fan.

 

[ulrey]

Why is everyone so all in on May. When I see him I think of Crean's Marquette team. Still UNPROVEN over longer period of time. IU need to get over themselves and hire Beard.

Agreed. If didn’t have IU ties would we want him?

 

[IUHoopster]

Define viable? Viable as in available or viable in the fact that the IU administration will accept them and their reputation?

May - leave after 1 year? It’s a bad look, especially if he’s on the market later. Doubtful he will leave Michigan

Drew - not liked by his coaching fraternity.Would he fit in at IU? Don’t see them wanting another problem coach.

Beard & Pearl - that’s a lot of baggage for each. Can’t see IU calling either as the implied message it sends about the university’s ethics

Viable is probably a mid major coach or a Power 5 coach who is slightly above average.

 

[UncleMark]

From what's been rumored here, I think he should have also quit drinking as that sounds like it's been an issue for him also. If he hasn't stopped, then he doesn't think it's a problem, and that's a problem.

He could just promise to quit if he gets the job. That's worked recently in other lines of work.

 

[Hoosierific]

Good Intel, I didn’t know Brad made that much. That ship sailed a decade ago. We have to move on from him. It’s just a dream we can’t let go of, but need to.

Really tired of Stephen's being mentioned as a candidate. I believe his reputation has been inflated like an urban legend kind of thing. I dint think he would even do well at IU. I would prefer Beard, May, or Oates.

 

[zeke4ahs]

Hard to believe there are people on here that don’t want Beard because of so called baggage that he has been cleared of. Those same people most likely defended and praised Coach Knight through all of his antics. By the way I’m a Coach Knight fan.

So called baggage. Lol

 

[EvansvilleHoosier88]

I hope you’ll do a serious, neutral, fair write up of Beard as a candidate just to test the waters and get the conversation out there so we can actually see what it looks like if he’s a top possibility or gets the job.
Highest ceiling and highest floor of anyone. There is a chance he makes a mistake. Fallout? IU fires him and asks Brad again or can ask a more proven Dusty. Nobody is talking poorly about Texas or TT for hiring him. Nobody is writing articles about Michigan for Harbaugh’s cheating, about Gonzaga for Fews DUIs. They are writing articles about IU being a joke for 23 years, about how irrelevant we are, how we shouldn’t have fired Sampson, shouldn’t have fired Bobby Knight.
Nobody is celebrating us for being squeaky clean.

Hiring a person for a job isn’t a grandiose statement of your approval of their moral history.

He can be hired and we can still as a society condemn domestic abuse.

Beard is the fastest safest bet to success and one of the few names that will scare the rest of thr CBB landscape. Roll the dice with him and it’s not a question of success or four year of losing. Worst case scenario we’re competing every year at the highest level and then we do the next coaching search from a position of winning instead of a 23 year out of control dumpster fire (but it’s a morally superior dumpster fire!). I’d bet it’s likely after a decade of winning without any issues.

I like Beard, but his track record is not as dominant as many portray it to be. Great coach, but half his seasons he hasn’t reached 20 wins. Including the two season immediately following his final 4 run. Again, he is inarguably a good coach, but I don’t think he “strikes fear in the basketball landscape.”

 

[jmp7819]

👍👍👍👍

 

[IUgradman]

Stevens would be an Earth shattering hire, the biggest in the sport in years if not decades. It would instantly elevate IU basketball into the top of the national discourse.

 

[Chicago-bound Hoosier]

Really tired of Stephen's being mentioned as a candidate. I believe his reputation has been inflated like an urban legend kind of thing. I dint think he would even do well at IU. I would prefer Beard, May, or Oates.

I suspect this go-round will be the last time his name is mentioned as a potential future coach at IU. And even now, it’s silly.

 

[IndyAuthor]

Why is everyone so all in on May. When I see him I think of Crean's Marquette team. Still UNPROVEN over longer period of time. IU need to get over themselves and hire Beard.

In Crean's 4 years after going to the Final 4, his conference record was:
8-8
7-9
10-6
10-6

In Beard's 4 years after going to the Final 4, his conference record was:
9-9
9-8
10-8
7-11

May's 2 seasons after going to the Final 4, his conference record is:
14-4
10-2

 

[yeard]

Hard to believe there are people on here that don’t want Beard because of so called baggage that he has been cleared of. Those same people most likely defended and praised Coach Knight through all of his antics. By the way I’m a Coach Knight fan.

There is a difference between knight's antics and domestic abuse. I can tolerate a lot of things but domestic abuse isn't one of them. Like I said in another post I believe in second chances, and he is getting that second chance. I have spent the better part of 45 years watching every single game, reading every single post, blog, article and listening to podcasts but this past year I've lost interest and if they hire Beard I do not expect to find it.

 

[IndyMitchell]

I like Beard, but his track record is not as dominant as many portray it to be. Great coach, but half his seasons he hasn’t reached 20 wins. Including the two season immediately following his final 4 run. Again, he is inarguably a good coach, but I don’t think he “strikes fear in the basketball landscape.”

If you research the Big12 during those two sub 20 win years, they were absolutely loaded. Texas Tech was still in the top 25 even without being dominate those two seasons.

 

[Tegray1]

Mick Cronin checks the boxes. FF appearance and Midwest guy. UCLA is a financial mess. We need someone who won't BS the fans. Crean and Woodson lost credibility. Archie was a terrible offensive coach.

 

[IndyMitchell]

In Crean's 4 years after going to the Final 4, his conference record was:
8-8
7-9
10-6
10-6

In Beard's 4 years after going to the Final 4, his conference record was:
9-9
9-8
10-8
7-11

May's 2 seasons after going to the Final 4, his conference record is:
14-4
10-2

Beard’s 7-11 was at Ole Miss and a complete rebuilt.

 

[BradStevens]

You and Bozich both agreed last week that the hire must be an alpha. Dusty May is the farthest thing from an alpha male you will ever find.

After Brad, Beard and Wade are the only sure things and I doubt either gets considered. Sad because Beard is an absolute perfect fit. Good chance we’re back here again in 4 years unfortunately.

You think Brad Stevens is an alpha male???

I'm flattered and all, but I'm not seeing it.

 

[GThomas]

That's odd. Mine says "Fear the Brad."

 

[BradStevens]

Agreed. If didn’t have IU ties would we want him?

To be fair, Michigan did.

 

[Jim Coyle]

I hope you’ll do a serious, neutral, fair write up of Beard as a candidate just to test the waters and get the conversation out there so we can actually see what it looks like if he’s a top possibility or gets the job.
Highest ceiling and highest floor of anyone. There is a chance he makes a mistake. Fallout? IU fires him and asks Brad again or can ask a more proven Dusty. Nobody is talking poorly about Texas or TT for hiring him. Nobody is writing articles about Michigan for Harbaugh’s cheating, about Gonzaga for Fews DUIs. They are writing articles about IU being a joke for 23 years, about how irrelevant we are, how we shouldn’t have fired Sampson, shouldn’t have fired Bobby Knight.
Nobody is celebrating us for being squeaky clean.

Hiring a person for a job isn’t a grandiose statement of your approval of their moral history.

He can be hired and we can still as a society condemn domestic abuse.

Beard is the fastest safest bet to success and one of the few names that will scare the rest of thr CBB landscape. Roll the dice with him and it’s not a question of success or four year of losing. Worst case scenario we’re competing every year at the highest level and then we do the next coaching search from a position of winning instead of a 23 year out of control dumpster fire (but it’s a morally superior dumpster fire!). I’d bet it’s likely after a decade of winning without any issues.

I have no issue with Chris Beard. Nothing I or anyone in the media says or does will have any impact on whether or not Chris Beard has a shot here. That decision might already be made, one way or another. I continue to say that I think Chris Beard would be a great fit I just do not think a university, especially one with a female president, and an on-going lawsuit with former players, will look too favorably on that incident he had that was just 2 years ago. I think it is Dusty May's job if he wants it. Scott Drew might be ready for a change and a challenge. Both of those hires get the kind of coach needed without dealing with that outside noise that will follow Chris Beard, fair or not.

Big money donors have wives and there are female big money donors. Those are some people that might be heard. There is a lot that goes into making a major hire like this and there needs to be a lot to make sure they get the hire right. Timing has a lot to do with it, but Indiana should be in good position to land a difference maker this time.

 

[ams66]

He checks the "I'm an asshole" box as well, just like Arch and Woody.

Never thought of Archie as an asshole. More like extremely introverted.

 

[GThomas]

I have no issue with Chris Beard. Nothing I or anyone in the media says or does will have any impact on whether or not Chris Beard has a shot here. That decision might already be made, one way or another. I continue to say that I think Chris Beard would be a great fit I just do not think a university, especially one with a female president, and an on-going lawsuit with former players, will look too favorably on that incident he had that was just 2 years ago. I think it is Dusty May's job if he wants it. Scott Drew might be ready for a change and a challenge. Both of those hires get the kind of coach needed without dealing with that outside noise that will follow Chris Beard, fair or not.

Big money donors have wives and there are female big money donors. Those are some people that might be heard. There is a lot that goes into making a major hire like this and there needs to be a lot to make sure they get the hire right. Timing has a lot to do with it, but Indiana should be in good position to land a difference maker this time.

I hadn't considered the female president angle. Definitely food for thought.