Indiana Hires Kelvin Sampson

[hoopsguy]

I talked with my Dad (another University of Illinois guy) about the possibility of Thomas as Hoosiers head coach before they hired Sampson. I figured with his track record with the CBA and the Knicks that he was the perfect candidate to destroy Indiana basketball.

Is Alford a realistic candidate at this point? I thought I had heard his name mentioned, but I'm not sure if that reflected a real candidate or another snarky message board comment. I would guess that his Iowa track record isn't doing him any favors in landing this job, but who knows where the 10-man panel goes when all of the "reach" candidates say no.

[Drake]

I don't think Alford is a realistic candidate -- not after his lack of success at Iowa. Which is not to say that I'd be disappointed in Alford if that's what it came down to, but I don't think he's the "home run" the program needs with this hire.

I will say this: Alford would likely be awesome for in-state recruitment.

[spleen1015]

Neither Thomas or Alford are possibilities at this point.

With Tony Bennett's saying no yesterday and the dude at Xavier's buyout being too big, Mike Montgomery is the only name being heard around here.

I think they should get that dude from Butler.

[Kodos]

Sounds like we are getting turned downed by multiple coaches.

[watravaler]

I think Scott Skiles would be an excellent NCAA coach who would demand respect. I'm not sure if he is cut out for the recruiting game, but I'd take a chance with him.

[hoopsguy]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Sounds like we are getting turned downed by multiple coaches.

Based on the announcement over the weekend that they would be revealing their coach prior to the Final Four, I'm guessing Indiana thought they would get Bennett.

Otherwise, they must have a fall-back candidate lined up for the gig in the event that they can't hit a home run in the first half of this week.

Montgomery makes a lot of sense, although I've heard he may be more interested in the California job given his West Coast background and recruiting connections. But isn't IU - even with a depleted roster and potential for some NCAA sanctions - a better gig than Cal? The guy who comes into this job has a chance to be the "Roy Williams/Kansas" hire. Or at least that is how I would sell it if I was IU.

Edit: and following Sampson/Dakich should be a heck of a lot easier than following Larry Brown.

[Racer]

Originally Posted by watravaler

I think Scott Skiles would be an excellent NCAA coach who would demand respect. I'm not sure if he is cut out for the recruiting game, but I'd take a chance with him.

word. I might be a bit biased though since he led my hometown to a state championship in the early 80's back when Indiana was one class.

[st.cronin]

Alford has a press conference in 45 minutes. The rumor here is that he has taken the job, but I think its just speculation.

[Butter]

Why in God's name would they hire Alford? He already failed miserably at Iowa.

[hoopsguy]

Originally Posted by Racer

word. I might be a bit biased though since he led my hometown to a state championship in the early 80's back when Indiana was one class.

I've gotten to see his coaching style quite a bit with the Bulls and I think the guy is a good teacher. I do not see him as a guy who would enjoy recruiting, but that can probably be addressed by putting together the right group of assistants. He is a tough coach - he holds people accountable - and that style presented some issues in the NBA but I think it would work well at college where the coach is king and the players are re-cycled over a four year span.

I've certainly heard worse names for Indiana than Skiles. Alford, for example ...

[Kodos]

Yep. Let's hope it isn't Alford.

[st.cronin]

Apparently, Alford has no buyout clause, meaning he can just walk away from New Mexico.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Albuquerque newspaper reporting that Alford has signed a three year contract extension.

The Journal has learned that Steve Alford has agreed to a three-year extension as University of New Mexico men's basketball coach. It will be announced at a news conference this afternoon at 3 p.m
Last summer, Alford signed a six-year deal with UNM worth around $1 million a year. The new deal will extend that contract through 2016, but a source says it will not include a raise.
Alford led the Lobos to a 24-9 record this past season and a third-place finish in the Mountain West Conference at 11-5. It was a dramatic turnaround from UNM's 15-17 record under former coach Ritchie McKay the previous season. The Lobos also tied for last in the MWC that season at 4-12.
News of the extension could help extinguish rumors about Alford being a possible candidate for the vacancy at Indiana, his alma mater.
However, the contract still won't include a buyout clause, which means Alford could leave the university for another school without penalty.
If Alford ever is fired at UNM, the school would have to pay him through the end of the 2015-2016 season.
The Journal will provide details of the extension as they are made available.

[dacman]

Translation: Alford used IU for leverage.

[Swaggs]

John Beilein always seems to be shopping himself around.

[hoopsguy]

Will the last Hoosier to leave please turn off the lights?

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...49/1004/SPORTS

Seriously, I'm a little surprised that Dakich has the authority to dismiss anyone from a team when he is on caretaker duty for the remainder of the week.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

John Beilein always seems to be shopping himself around.

Heh, that reminds me: has IU contacted Petrino or Rich Rod?

[Butter]

Please take Sean Miller from Xavier. Xavier needs someone to run their program into the ground. Please.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Albuquerque newspaper reporting that Alford has signed a three year contract extension.

The Journal has learned that Steve Alford has agreed to a three-year extension as University of New Mexico men's basketball coach. It will be announced at a news conference this afternoon at 3 p.m
Last summer, Alford signed a six-year deal with UNM worth around $1 million a year. The new deal will extend that contract through 2016, but a source says it will not include a raise.
Alford led the Lobos to a 24-9 record this past season and a third-place finish in the Mountain West Conference at 11-5. It was a dramatic turnaround from UNM's 15-17 record under former coach Ritchie McKay the previous season. The Lobos also tied for last in the MWC that season at 4-12.
News of the extension could help extinguish rumors about Alford being a possible candidate for the vacancy at Indiana, his alma mater.
However, the contract still won't include a buyout clause, which means Alford could leave the university for another school without penalty.
If Alford ever is fired at UNM, the school would have to pay him through the end of the 2015-2016 season.
The Journal will provide details of the extension as they are made available.

Whew. Disaster averted. For now.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

Will the last Hoosier to leave please turn off the lights?

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...49/1004/SPORTS

Seriously, I'm a little surprised that Dakich has the authority to dismiss anyone from a team when he is on caretaker duty for the remainder of the week.

Two thoughts come to mind. First, this is an adminstration call. Second Dakich is the backup plan if all else fails with the big name coach.

[Drake]

My understanding was that Basset & Ellis had stated publicly that they were going to go elsewhere anyway.

My impression is that if this is the level of dedication we're getting from the kids to the program, then it's no wonder they quit on Dakich once Sampson was terminated. (I know, I know, there are plenty of folks in Indiana who insist that this team didn't quit on Dakich, but I'm not one of them. With the exception of D.J. White, I didn't see an ounce of urgency from anyone on that team over the last month of the season. YMMV.)

Bottom line is that they can get as pissy as they want about how the Sampson situation was handled. The basketball program will go on without them, and no one will even remember they played here in five years. Players shouldn't ever be tempted to confuse their power/fame as players within the IU program with power/fame inherent in their ability to shoot a basketball.

[st.cronin]

FWIW, there are still rumors in the local media that Alford is under consideration, if not for the IU job, for some other job. Last year, the NM State coach signed an even bigger contract extension, with a big buyout less than a week before taking an NBA job.

I don't really understand why Alford (or anybody) would take the IU job, unless it had a tremendous golden parachute. It doesn't seem like a good situation there right now.

[Drake]

Oh, we're a good situation. All of our basketball coaches have droit de cuissage in their contracts.

[Klinglerware]

Originally Posted by Drake

Oh, we're a good situation. All of our basketball coaches have droit de cuissage in their contracts.

So what does this have to do with deflowering peasant virgins?

[Drake]

Like you'd turn down a job that let you deflower peasant virgins.

[spleen1015]

Brad Stevens FTW!

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by Drake

Like you'd turn down a job that let you deflower peasant virgins.

I admit, I probably wouldn't.

[hoopsguy]

Tom Crean to IU?

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3324439

[hoopsguy]

Must be all about the droit de cuissage ...

[BigDPW]

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

Tom Crean to IU?

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3324439

I am surprised by that. I think he is a great coach but why he would want to take this job at this time I don't know... Seems that he would only be a year or two away from another high profile job with less worry about possible sanctions...

[Swaggs]

I think that Crean is a home run hire. He was very well paid at Marquette (I want to say in the top 2-3 in a conference with Calhoun, Boeheim, Pitino, Huggins, etc.), so Indiana must be showing him some coin.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by BigDPW

Seems that he would only be a year or two away from another high profile job with less worry about possible sanctions...

Crean was in the mix for some big jobs a couple years ago, when Self moved from Illinois to Kansas. I think Crean was actually rumored to get both those jobs at different points, plus maybe another one which I have forgotten. Definitely a kick in the nuts for Marquette fans.

[RedKingGold]

As a Big East fan, I'm saddened by the move (although as a Villanova fan, I should be stoked).

However, can't deny that this is a very good hire by Indiana. I was really surprised that Indiana didn't make him target #1 considering he was in their back yard.

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Crean was in the mix for some big jobs a couple years ago, when Self moved from Illinois to Kansas. I think Crean was actually rumored to get both those jobs at different points, plus maybe another one which I have forgotten. Definitely a kick in the nuts for Marquette fans.

I think many wanted to see Crean have success without Dwayne Wade before he got serious candidacy for big jobs.

[Kodos]

Sounds like a good hire and a guy who has ethics. I approve.

[Drake]

I have to admit that I was completely shocked by this hire. I really thought the university was aiming lower once Tony Bennett was revealed as the top candidate. Crean certainly feels like a home run.

I'm also stunned by the Blue Ribbon Committee (or whatever the fuck they were calling themselves) doing such a good job of keeping the candidate list under wraps. I mean, Crean's name wasn't even out there in the rumor mill.

[Izulde]

Wow, that's got to be a nut-crusher for the Marquette fans I know.

[Drake]

Never underestimate the power of droit de cuissage.

[kingnebwsu]

hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3324439

Scroll down about a quarter of the way...

"If the talks with Crean had fallen through, Indiana was prepared to look at Wright State coach Brad Brownell."

Big sigh of relief from Wright State nation here in Dayton, Ohio. Hopefully we get to keep Coach Brownell for at least one more year. He's an amazing coach who will leading a top-tier program someday soon.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Drake

Oh, we're a good situation. All of our basketball coaches have droit de cuissage in their contracts.

I don't know how we got off on this topic but I guess I learned something new today thanks once again to Wikipedia.

SI

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Interesting. Mizzou's Mike Anderson is among the candidates being considered for the Marquette job. I don't think he'll leave at this point given that he's got a 7 player class of athletes coming in that finally fit his fult-tilt system, but it's certainly an interesting suggestion.

[rjolley]

Crean's a great signing for IU. Hopefully, he can keep Ebanks and Holloway committed and talk Gordon into staying another year, which I think he needs to do.

[korme]

Originally Posted by kingnebwsu

hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3324439

Scroll down about a quarter of the way...

"If the talks with Crean had fallen through, Indiana was prepared to look at Wright State coach Brad Brownell."

Big sigh of relief from Wright State nation here in Dayton, Ohio. Hopefully we get to keep Coach Brownell for at least one more year. He's an amazing coach who will leading a top-tier program someday soon.

Word. Brownell definitely stepped up to the plate this year for a very ho-hum team.

As for Crean, watching him many years in the C-USA I think Indiana got one hell of a coach and Marquette may never relive the success they have had under Crean. Were they ever relevant before he got there?

[hoopsguy]

Well, Al McGuire did win a national championship coaching for Marquette in the 70s ...

[kurtism]

Any chance someone has the power to change this thread title? That's an era of IU basketball I'd like as forgotten as possible...

[korme]

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

Well, Al McGuire did win a national championship coaching for Marquette in the 70s ...

Cool, didn't know that. Then again, Loyola-Chicago, LaSalle, and Holy Cross also have national championships, so I don't know if that will hold any weight in recruiting these days for them.

[cartman]

And the Kelvin Sampson era can finally be put behind Indiana. They have 3 years probation, but no further sanctions other than the self-imposed ones. Sampson is on probation until 2013. For the first three years, if he is hired by an NCAA school, he is not allowed to recruit, and the final two he is limited to half the allotted phone time.

My question is, did they do a three-way call to inform Sampson?

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[hoopsguy]

Just wondering if people think that the punishment fits the crime in this case.

[molson]

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

Just wondering if people think that the punishment fits the crime in this case.

Penalties for these things always seem light to me.

I understand the sentiment that you want to be easier on the players and school for the actions of a departed coach, but it a case like this where a school sells it's soul for a known cheat, they should pay the price.

[MrBug708]

And yet Reggie Bush's family lived in a house no questions asked...