Don't be shocked if the Indiana job opens up again this year

[ChicosBailBonds]

Sampson could get the hook...major violations coming to IU.  Depends who is "in charge" over there.  In the old days, this would be the death knell for Sampson.  Not 100% convinced it will be now, but it wouldn't be surprising either.

[Ahoya06]

Shall we begin the "Crean to..." talk now, or do we wait until after the season? 

[1990Warrior]

Its too bad that any punishment likely won't affect this years team unless there is some self-imposed punishment.

[AlumKCof93]

If the violations are as major as the reports are indicating, I think Sampson is gone. If you are IU, how can you justify standing behind Sampson who can now be seen as a chronic violator of NCAA rules and who doesn't graduate players when you got rid of Knight who was the exact opposite.
For the record, I'm glad they ridded themselves of Knight, but I never understood how they could have brought Sampson in. Now that they did, I think they need to drop him and find someone with integrity.  I think Crean only becomes an option for them if he wins in the NCAA tourney this year.

[Ahoya06]

I should have turned the "sarcasm font" on there, my bad. I don't think Crean will be in the running for that job, if it does in fact open up.

I for one don't think he's going anywhere anytime soon.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Actually, there will probably be an AD opening there as well. That guy was asking for these problems when he hired Sampson and most everybody said it at the time. Indiana faithful were outraged that they hired a guy with Sampson's track record in the first place.

Not sure Crean would take that job since he considers Sampson one of his buddies.

[Pakuni]

What would Indiana want with an attention whore who can't recruit, coach Xs and Os or motivate his players, and whose only discernible skill is drawing attention to himself while alienating everyone around him?

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

What would Indiana want with an attention whore who can't recruit, coach Xs and Os or motivate his players, and whose only discernible skill is drawing attention to himself while alienating everyone around him?

Wow! Sarcasm font color or not, when you use language that strong it sounds to me like part of you believes it. 

[RJax55]

Actually, there will probably be an AD opening there as well. That guy was asking for these problems when he hired Sampson and most everybody said it at the time. Indiana faithful were outraged that they hired a guy with Sampson's track record in the first place.

Not sure Crean would take that job since he considers Sampson one of his buddies.

Good point PRN, Crean does seems to be pretty good friends with Sampson ... I doubt he would replace him, especially under these circumstances.

Even though Indiana is thought by many to be a "destination job", I think IU could have some difficulty attracting a big name coach. IIRC, Sampson wasn't the first choice to replace Mike Davis  ... Also have to wonder what big name coach wants to walk into a situation where your team is currently under some type of NCAA penalty (post-season ban, loss of scholarships, etc.)

Even though the Big Ten is horrible this year, down the road I think the conference is in pretty good shape. Tubby Smith and John Bielein will turn their programs around. In addition, I think Illini will bounce back since Weber has some top recruits coming to Champaign in the next few years. Purdue is a rising program and I don't see Michigan State, Wisconsin or Ohio State struggling any time soon. If Sampson is fired, the next coach is going to have a real challenge putting IU in a position to once again contend in the Big Ten.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I don't think it's a matter of "if" he's fired. They have to fire him. Considering the great Indiana tradition, this is rock bottom -- a complete  disgrace.

I think he should be fired immediately (or at least suspended pending the completion of the investigation) and I wouldn't be surprised if he was.

I think it might be hard to grasp how big Hoosier basketball is in that state. It's everything to almost everybody.

The only thing Sampson could have done worse would be suggesting a switch from "Hoosiers" to "Bobcats" or something equally nonsensical.

[nomarchip510]

As an Indiana native and a huge IU fan who decided to go to MU instead, this is a huge deal in Bloomington. Sampson is a good coach, but he has been outcoached by better Big 10 coaches this year (see Bo Ryan). He's done a hell of a job recruiting (Eric Gordon, Devin Ebanks next year) but obviously that came with a price. With that said, I would be extremely surprised if they hired Crean...they want someone who can recruit in-state players better (Purdue is getting all of the good in-state players besides Gordon) and I just don't think Crean is as good of a recruiter as they would like him to be. The worst part about this scandal is whiny Illinois fans saying "I told you so". Life sucks when you're 11-14 I guess.

[Big Papi]

Actually, there will probably be an AD opening there as well. That guy was asking for these problems when he hired Sampson and most everybody said it at the time. Indiana faithful were outraged that they hired a guy with Sampson's track record in the first place.

Not sure Crean would take that job since he considers Sampson one of his buddies.

Oh that is a bunch of bull.  TC has a ton of so called friends in the coaching industry.  If he wants the job and it is offered to him he will take it regardless of who was coaching the team before him.  Its not like Sampson was treated unfairly.  Sampson cheated and deserves to get fired.  But you are right in that the AD will be gone as well.  

IU is a destination job and depending on the consequences TC might or might not be interested.  If we perform well in post season and the IU only loses one or two ships for a short period of time, TC could very well entertain the thought of taking the job if it is offered to him.  Good league, die hard following, great history, great talent in the area and easier to recruit at IU than MU.  Who wouldn't want to coach at IU if given the opportunity to step up to a potential elite program?  Of course that depends on the punishment.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

As an Indiana native and a huge IU fan who decided to go to MU instead, this is a huge deal in Bloomington. Sampson is a good coach, but he has been outcoached by better Big 10 coaches this year (see Bo Ryan). He's done a hell of a job recruiting (Eric Gordon, Devin Ebanks next year) but obviously that came with a price. With that said, I would be extremely surprised if they hired Crean...they want someone who can recruit in-state players better (Purdue is getting all of the good in-state players besides Gordon) and I just don't think Crean is as good of a recruiter as they would like him to be. The worst part about this scandal is whiny Illinois fans saying "I told you so". Life sucks when you're 11-14 I guess.

Something tells me that on the heels of a "major" recruiting violation, they're going to be more interested in the next coach's track record as it relates to obeying the law than they are comparing him to Sampson's recruiting haul.

Incidentally, that Drew kid is doing wonders at Baylor (a worse situation than Indiana) and he's from the Valpo bloodline. He might be a tad young to take on the IU job, however.

[Pardner]

Didn't TC say that the only Big 10 job he'd consider was MSU when Izzo leaves?  He doesn't like coaching against his best bud--which is also why he doesn't schedule MSU now.   

[ChicosBailBonds]

Of course, if Crean were to leave, we're positioned nicely with our AD currently in place to make the next hire.

[1990Warrior]

Here is the link to the violations:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3243793

[The Lens]

But Dodds and others have said we do have an AD...Chicos are you saying we don't?  I'm confused.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

They also claim Crean's best friend is not Izzo, it's Barry Alvarez. Or Tony LaRussa/Mike McCarthy, I can't remember.

[ecompt]

Are there any schools in the Big Ten who have not been named at one time or another in some kind of cheating, betting scandal, improper payments, etc.? It's a joke.

[4everwarriors]

Crean takes the job in a Mt. Pleasant minute if offered and the sheckles are right. That said, he'll be at MU next season. BTW, he keeps some pretty fancy company as friends.

[AlumKCof93]

Its Scott Drew's job if he wants it.  He's a perfect hire for them, despite his age and relative inexperience.

[The Lens]

Crean takes the job in a Mt. Pleasant minute if offered and the sheckles are right. That said, he'll be at MU next season. BTW, he keeps some pretty fancy company as friends.

More important to TC right now than money is terms.  He runs the whole shooting match.  He'll find he would get nowhere near the freedom at another school that he gets at MU.  This is not to imply he does anything unproper or underhanded.  I am the first to admit he is 100% above board but he still have absolute power.  He ain't giving that up.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Crean takes the job in a Mt. Pleasant minute if offered and the sheckles are right. That said, he'll be at MU next season. BTW, he keeps some pretty fancy company as friends.

There's a difference between "coaching friends" and "friends"....we all have friends in our respective industries or at work, doesn't necessarily mean they are the friends you bring over to meet the wife and kids, etc.


Personally, my opinion is Bennett from WSU, Drew from Baylor or Stallings from Vanderbilt would be the logical hires.

I can't see Sampson surviving this.  IU went out on a huge limb when they hired Sampson and told him point blank, no screwups.  He screwed up, he will be gone.

[ATWizJr]

Now I know why Bobby Knight is suddely available

[Dish]

I think it'll be fascinating to see what IU decides to do here and now. Sampson has to be done, but the question is do they do it now, or in May/June?

Gordon and White will be gone (undoubtedly now after todays allegations came out) after this season. IU has the type of team set up to do well in March.

Does IU say screw it, we'll take our penalty later, and go for it all this year?

Or do they fire Sampson now, do a self-imposed post season ban this year (hoping the NCAA sees this as a measure of attonement and to lessen the penalty later)?