| Coaching Carousel Bob Loblaw |
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Assuming the all-knowing NCAA is right and Kelvin Sampson lied to IU about his phoning
transgressions, IU is likely going to be in the market for a new coach pretty soon and I have a
feeling the media and the fans might begin speculating on who that lucky soul might be.
Though Sampson is still the coach for now, let’s assume he gets replaced. Looking into the
red crystal ball what do we see…
10 Possible Replacements at IU, in no particular order other than when the
author thought of them.
Dan Dakich
Former IU star shut down Michael Jordan in the NCAA tournament in 1984 and was a Bob
Knight guy. Currently an assistant, he would bridge the gap with the old-school fans and
today’s crowd. Has not won anything major as a head coach though, and none of today’s
recruits were alive when he played.
Steve Alford
The former Mr. Basketball and All American on IU’s last National Title team in 1987 (was it that
long ago? Wow I feel really old now.) An in-state legend, he has been on the short list both
times IU has hired a coach. He had some good years at Iowa, along with some bad ones, and
knows the Big Ten. Now at New Mexico, he may have left the Big Ten to get away from his
past and may not want to coach at IU anymore with what has gone on, who knows? Recruits
would need to hear about him from their parents and he would add alumni buzz to the
program.
Scott Skiles
Former Indiana High School star from Plymouth has been coaching in the NBA for years. Not a
lot of college experience but he has Indiana roots, though he played at Michigan State. Would
have an advantage recruiting the 5-star players, as he could help them prepare for the pro
show.
Lawrence Frank
Another IU guy, never played but was a team manager under Knight, now coaching the New
Jersey Nets. At some point his aging team has to be broken up and Frank will probably be
looking for a job. Also not an experienced college coach, but could help players who want to
make it at the next level and may be able to deal with star players. Might be able to get Vince
Carter to do a dunking clinic on campus?
Thad Matta
A Butler guy who has had success at Xavier and now Ohio State, and recruits Indiana well
(Oden, Conley, etc.). If IU had gotten on the Butler train a few years ago they could have
picked him up, but at this point there is no reason for him to leave Columbus.
Todd Lickliter
Former North Central Panther also a former Butler coach who had great success and can
recruit the state. Now at Iowa, it is unlikely he would bolt that job after one year.
Larry Bird
Won with Pacers as the coach, but has since helped run them into the ground as President.
He didn’t like being at IU when he enrolled there to play, don’t see him going there now.
Mike Davis
His UAB team nearly beat #1 Memphis Saturday and he never broke any NCAA rules while at
IU. Everything he does from here on out will be easier, as following Bob Knight in your first
head coaching job is as tough as it gets. But no one here wants him back and IU will win the
National Championship in FOOTBALL before he is rehired.
Isiah Thomas
The former Hoosier legend led IU to the 1981 National Title and was an NBA Hall of Famer in
Detroit. His skills on the court, along with his toughness and leadership, were some of the
best ever. That being said, he will go down in history as one of the worst, if not the worst,
NBA executives of all time. He bankrupted the CBA, broke the Raptors, led the Pacers down a
road of mediocrity, and now coaches one of the worst teams in the league in New York. While
the struggles this year cannot all be blamed on Thomas’s coaching, the fact that he built this
team himself, spending as much money as he did, he is to blame, and the fiasco that has
ensued is comedic if not pathetic. I doubt the Big Ten Network would even carry IU games in
Indiana if he were hired, as they would get more viewers for some infomercials. He does have
that infectious smile though…….
Bob Knight
Knight being rehired by IU would be the biggest sports story of the year. ESPN would love the
hours and days they could waste dissecting this move and debating it non-stop. Will it
happen? No. Knight will not give in to the school and the fiasco that would follow him would
not be worth it to IU, but think of the buzz he would bring back to the program he built.
Maybe they will name a section of the floor after him someday, or one of the red chairs could
have his name on it……
In the coming weeks we will see if Sampson is in fact let go or if IU decides to ride the
wave with him. A decision needs to be made, as his status will affect current and future
recruits and also which of the current players stay for next year. With Purdue on the rise, IU
needs to steady itself and keep a hold on in-state recruiting or risk sliding below the Boilers.
In any event, the list above is probably a sampling of the chaotic list we will all hear about if
and when the PHONE CALL is made relieving the Chief of his duties. My question is, is he
allowed to answer that call in his office and is it a three way call if he picks it up on speaker
and someone else walks by???
transgressions, IU is likely going to be in the market for a new coach pretty soon and I have a
feeling the media and the fans might begin speculating on who that lucky soul might be.
Though Sampson is still the coach for now, let’s assume he gets replaced. Looking into the
red crystal ball what do we see…
10 Possible Replacements at IU, in no particular order other than when the
author thought of them.
Dan Dakich
Former IU star shut down Michael Jordan in the NCAA tournament in 1984 and was a Bob
Knight guy. Currently an assistant, he would bridge the gap with the old-school fans and
today’s crowd. Has not won anything major as a head coach though, and none of today’s
recruits were alive when he played.
Steve Alford
The former Mr. Basketball and All American on IU’s last National Title team in 1987 (was it that
long ago? Wow I feel really old now.) An in-state legend, he has been on the short list both
times IU has hired a coach. He had some good years at Iowa, along with some bad ones, and
knows the Big Ten. Now at New Mexico, he may have left the Big Ten to get away from his
past and may not want to coach at IU anymore with what has gone on, who knows? Recruits
would need to hear about him from their parents and he would add alumni buzz to the
program.
Scott Skiles
Former Indiana High School star from Plymouth has been coaching in the NBA for years. Not a
lot of college experience but he has Indiana roots, though he played at Michigan State. Would
have an advantage recruiting the 5-star players, as he could help them prepare for the pro
show.
Lawrence Frank
Another IU guy, never played but was a team manager under Knight, now coaching the New
Jersey Nets. At some point his aging team has to be broken up and Frank will probably be
looking for a job. Also not an experienced college coach, but could help players who want to
make it at the next level and may be able to deal with star players. Might be able to get Vince
Carter to do a dunking clinic on campus?
Thad Matta
A Butler guy who has had success at Xavier and now Ohio State, and recruits Indiana well
(Oden, Conley, etc.). If IU had gotten on the Butler train a few years ago they could have
picked him up, but at this point there is no reason for him to leave Columbus.
Todd Lickliter
Former North Central Panther also a former Butler coach who had great success and can
recruit the state. Now at Iowa, it is unlikely he would bolt that job after one year.
Larry Bird
Won with Pacers as the coach, but has since helped run them into the ground as President.
He didn’t like being at IU when he enrolled there to play, don’t see him going there now.
Mike Davis
His UAB team nearly beat #1 Memphis Saturday and he never broke any NCAA rules while at
IU. Everything he does from here on out will be easier, as following Bob Knight in your first
head coaching job is as tough as it gets. But no one here wants him back and IU will win the
National Championship in FOOTBALL before he is rehired.
Isiah Thomas
The former Hoosier legend led IU to the 1981 National Title and was an NBA Hall of Famer in
Detroit. His skills on the court, along with his toughness and leadership, were some of the
best ever. That being said, he will go down in history as one of the worst, if not the worst,
NBA executives of all time. He bankrupted the CBA, broke the Raptors, led the Pacers down a
road of mediocrity, and now coaches one of the worst teams in the league in New York. While
the struggles this year cannot all be blamed on Thomas’s coaching, the fact that he built this
team himself, spending as much money as he did, he is to blame, and the fiasco that has
ensued is comedic if not pathetic. I doubt the Big Ten Network would even carry IU games in
Indiana if he were hired, as they would get more viewers for some infomercials. He does have
that infectious smile though…….
Bob Knight
Knight being rehired by IU would be the biggest sports story of the year. ESPN would love the
hours and days they could waste dissecting this move and debating it non-stop. Will it
happen? No. Knight will not give in to the school and the fiasco that would follow him would
not be worth it to IU, but think of the buzz he would bring back to the program he built.
Maybe they will name a section of the floor after him someday, or one of the red chairs could
have his name on it……
In the coming weeks we will see if Sampson is in fact let go or if IU decides to ride the
wave with him. A decision needs to be made, as his status will affect current and future
recruits and also which of the current players stay for next year. With Purdue on the rise, IU
needs to steady itself and keep a hold on in-state recruiting or risk sliding below the Boilers.
In any event, the list above is probably a sampling of the chaotic list we will all hear about if
and when the PHONE CALL is made relieving the Chief of his duties. My question is, is he
allowed to answer that call in his office and is it a three way call if he picks it up on speaker
and someone else walks by???