Mike’s Replacement
The longer IU goes into the tournament, the more people are going to talk about the next coach at Indiana. People seem to think that Alford is the guy, if he wants the job. While I’d support him if he were hired, I really don’t want him to be the next coach. Here are a few reasons…
1.) The fans of both Missouri State (formerly Southwest Missouri State), and Iowa have wanted him to leave before he has actually left. Apparently, he’s not very “fan-friendly.” While Knight was not very “media-friendly,” he was still pretty nice to the Hoosier faithful. After the current coach’s inability to stop complaining about the fans, I think they’d want to make sure they hire someone who bends over backwards for the fans.
2.) Alford’s record at Iowa is not much better than Davis’s has been.
3.) He has allowed criminals to continue to play for his team like nothing has happened. Not the most respectable response to an accusation. Sounds a lot more like Nebraska or Florida State or Miami football programs than a top-tier basketball program in a basketball-crazy state.
4.) 1-3 in the NCAA tournament over 7 years.
While this shouldn’t be a deciding factor, there could be a revolt on the team if he’s hired. Like I said, it’s not really a reason not to hire someone – listening to the players might have been what got the IU administration into trouble in the first place when they hired Davis.
So – who do I think they should hire? Let’s start off with who I don’t think will be wearing the Cream and Crimson next year…
1.) Bruce Pearl would have been an obvious selection…last year. The Hoosiers missed their chance and I doubt the Tennessee administration would let him get away very easily.
2.) Thad Matta. Again, too late to woo him. If Ohio State had been put on some serious probation for violations before his tenure, then I could see him bolting for Bloomington. Instead, he would be absolutely insane to give up his position with the remarkable class of freshmen coming in next year.
3.) Isiah Thomas. Uh – what did he do to the CBA or the Knicks? Has he ever coached college? I think this would be a disaster.
4.) Jim Crews. If he had continued to be successful, I would have pegged him right away. He seems to be more satisfied somewhere that’s not high-profile. Indiana is definitely high-profile.
5.) Bob Knight. If anyone really thinks this is a possibility, they’re living in some type of dream world. Besides, what has The General done at Texas Tech?
OK, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, here are some people who are outside of the usual suspects that IU might want to consider (and you know they read MattDanTodd Land religiously!)…
1.) Pat Summitt. Winningest coach in college basketball. She could bring some discipline to the team. Definitely outside the circle of “good ol’ boys.”
2.) Marty Simmons. Has ties to IU. Has made his program a force in Division II. Might be too big of a jump, though.
3.) Tubby Smith. Many UK fans want him out. Want to make the rivalry with the Wildcats even more heated? Get Tubby to join.
4.) Billy Donnovan. How long is he really going to stay at Florida? True, the weather would be tough to compete with. But he’s at a place where his program will always play second-fiddle.
5.) Steve Lavin. He was successful for a time at UCLA. They say spending time as a commentator helps you gain an even better grasp of the game (at least in college football). Maybe it’s time to call him back to the ranks of college coaches.
6.) Billy Packer. OK, I’m kidding. He’s just an idiot.
Those are my thoughts. If I think of more candidates, I’ll post them here.
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SHAH! SHAH! PTHUT(that was a spitting sound)
How dare you even THINK of a UK coach coming over to IU. I’d have to seriously re-think my loyalties if that happens…
I don’t think I’m really serious about the Tubby Smith statement, but it would be fun to watch the Kentucky fans get all worked up about it.
It would be tough to get IU fans to unite around him, that’s for sure.
Totally agree with your list of those who won’t be in Bloomington next year. Go ahead and add Alford to that list as well. News around here is that the IU administration is not interested… at all.
Interesting list of other candidates… add Brad Brownell to your list of those ‘outside of the usual suspects that IU might want to consider’… He has Indiana connections (the state, that is). He played with Calbert Cheaney in high school. He also is indirectly a part of the large basketball family headed by one, Robert Montgomery Knight. He played college ball for a former Knight assistant, Royce Waltman at DePauw University (Waltman is now coaching at Indiana State). Brownell also was a graduate assistant coach for another former Knight player/assistant coach, Jim Crews in Evansville. Currently, Brownell is the head coach for UNC-Wilmington. The Seahawks have made an NCAA tournament appearance 2 out of 4 years with Brownell at the helm. Yes, he may be a little ‘green’, but so too was Coach Knight when he arrived in Bloomington.
It ain’t gonna happen, but wouldn’t it be cool if it did?
Could he be a potential candidate for the UE position? I haven’t even begun to post about that on here yet. I probably will next week, though.
If Dakich doesn’t get the job (and I doubt he does…I’m not sure if I want him to at this point), Brownell is my pick. I’ll start throwing around my weight and see what I can do. 😉
Good call. Man, you’re on top of it (two years early)!