What a mess at IU/Sampson suspended

[AlumKCof93]

The players at IU are threatening to quit the team if Sampson is fired.  What a terrible situation at a school where basketball is so treasured.  In a way, it serves IU right by hiring a coach with questionable ethics and a coach who didn't graduate anyone at Oklahoma.  But its still a shame.

Sources: Several Hoosiers threaten to quit if Sampson ousted 
Feb. 22, 2008
By Gary Parrish
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
     
 A Thursday night meeting between Indiana athletic director Rick Greenspan and the school's basketball team became heated when players threatened to quit if the AD follows through with a plan to remove Kelvin Sampson as the Hoosiers' coach, two sources have told CBSSports.com.

According to the sources, after Greenspan informed five selected players -- namely D.J. White, Eric Gordon, Kyle Taber, Lance Stemler and Adam Ahlfeld -- of his decision to replace Sampson he called a meeting with the entire team in an attempt to "prepare" them for Friday's official announcement that Sampson would either be suspended or terminated in time for the Hoosiers' weekend game at Northwestern. But before Greenspan finished his speech, the sources said an unidentified player stood up and insisted "if Sampson ain't coaching, we ain't playing" and that Greenspan responded with what he thought was a rhetorical question.

"Greenspan asked if he should just cancel the whole season," one source said. "And the player told him 'We don't care what you do. But if Sampson ain't coaching, we ain't playing.' And then they just walked out."

An Indiana television station shot video of the IU players leaving the meeting.

The players declined comment upon exiting.

According to the sources, Greenspan asked Sampson to resign Thursday night but Sampson -- who was alleged in a report released last week to have committed five major NCAA rules violations -- rejected the request. The sources said it now appears Sampson is daring the school to fire him and that such a move would almost certainly lead to a lawsuit because Sampson still insists he is not guilty of lying to NCAA investigators or IU administrators, and that if the school was going to fire him for impermissible phone calls it should've done that when it learned of the calls in October.

Either way, Indiana is expected to hold a news conference Friday.

[NavinRJohnson]

It is absolutely unconscionable that Greenspan is even allowed to be involved in any of the decision making on this when he is the guy who hired Sampson, aware of his past transgressions, and was ultimately responsible for making sure he stayed within the rules. I'm not sure he shouldn't have been the first one fired. But, that aside, if he doesn't call the players bluff on this, perhaps he should be committed as well as fired. Does anyone actually believe that any of these guys would actually quit, let alone Gordon or White who are auditioning for NBA careers?

[Detfan23]

There should be no way that the AD makes it out of this mess alive.  He should be termed right along with Sampson.  How do you take a chance on someone who has had a questionable past for so long?  This was the best option to replace Knight?

[muhoosier260]

thats a good call navin, no way do gordon or white holdout. not that i'm taking the players' threat seriously, but if they refuse to play b/c of this type of situation, couldn't IU revoke their scholarship or something? Anyone know what players agree to when they sign on the dotted line?

[mu03eng]

There are ways for the players to play but not play you dig what I'm sayin'?  So even calling their bluff isn't going to go down real well.  AD should have been fired right away, Sampson should be next and they should probably ban themselves from the post season....throw themselves on the sword so to speak.  However this is all predicated that Sampson is guilty of actually lying.

[ChicosBailBonds]

It is absolutely unconscionable that Greenspan is even allowed to be involved in any of the decision making on this when he is the guy who hired Sampson, aware of his past transgressions, and was ultimately responsible for making sure he stayed within the rules. I'm not sure he shouldn't have been the first one fired. But, that aside, if he doesn't call the players bluff on this, perhaps he should be committed as well as fired. Does anyone actually believe that any of these guys would actually quit, let alone Gordon or White who are auditioning for NBA careers?

As for the last question, yes I could see them doing that.  Gordon and White are going to the NBA regardless, they've proven their worth.

This is fun to watch....getting out the popcorn even if it does effect my alma mater

[AlumKCof93]

Samson suspended til end of season.  Here's the story.

  Indiana's Sampson suspended for season, likely to be fired 
   Feb. 22, 2008
By Gary Parrish
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Tell Gary your opinion!
   
 
 
 

       

Indiana officials have reached a decision to suspend Kelvin Sampson through the end of the season, multiple sources told CBSSports.com on Thursday and confirmed it again Friday afternoon.

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An official announcement is expected soon.

The IU players were initially briefed Thursday, first in a select group of five by athletic director Rick Greenspan and then later as a team. They were delivered the final, etched-in-stone decision at a Friday meeting and were said to be disappointed because they wanted Sampson to finish the season.

According to the sources, IU's plan is to suspend Sampson now and then formally terminate him at the end of the season. In other words, his career at Indiana is complete barring some unforeseen development -- all because of an NCAA report released last week that alleged he committed five major rules violations.

Among the charges was that Sampson lied to NCAA investigators and school administrators.

Sampson has publicly denied the allegation.

Sources have said it's possible he will file a lawsuit against IU.

 

[AlumKCof93]

IU seems to do the only thing they could do - suspend Sampson in hopes the NCAA softens any penalty as a result of this action.  While Sampson is suspended, they make sure they can cover their tracks to justify firing Sampson so he doesn't sue him.  While this is going on, they begin a search for a new AD to hire a new coach. Which brings me to this  . . .

Cottingham to Indiana?

[Nukem2]

Sorry AlumKC, but thats a low blow.  Uncalled for......lets show a little class here.

[AlumKCof93]

Nukem,

What's a low blow?  Of course I was kidding about Cottingham.  I don't see Crean leaving for IU and any notion of Cottingham leaving is absurd.

[jutaw22mu]

Cottingham to Indiana?

....only as part of a package with Crean   

[reinko]

Along wtih Cottingham and Crean, Mbakwe, Nick Williams, Ty Prince, and Lazar Hayward...

[reinko]

erp, meant Ty Taylor...DOH!