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I really want to hear a story that we actually listened to Bennett's objections and came back hard w dominant solutions like:
1. name your asst coaches and their salaries ( reported problem at WSU )
2. private plane for away games ( another WSU problem )
3. long term 10 year deal
4. $5m legal fund in case NCAA comes knocking and we need to fight it
He had objections but did we just go away or did we say we will deal with them ?
1. Jamie Dixon
2. Sean Miller
3.Steve Lavin (might sound crazy, but proven winner and recruiter)
everyone already knows about Miller so here is a littlle on Dixon and Lavin
http://pittsburghpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-bas...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Lavin
The more you read about Dixon and Miller the better they sound, both Know how to build a program, Dixon is known more for hard nosed defense, while Lavin can recruit, look at the players he recruited at UCLA and you will see several NBA players. Either one could fit the Big Ten style of play. IU needs to push hard for these guys
I really think we need to land Dixon, Miller or Jay Wright. I'm not sure why more people aren't mentioning Wright.
I'm sorry, but Brownell, Grant, Monty...I'd get behind them, but they just don't get me excited. I think Grant needs a few more years or some time in a major conference at a lower program. Hell I'd rather go after Donovan.
There has to be someone we're not thinking of.
Think Like a Recruit, Greenspan. We need to end the coaching carousel here and this hire will not do that. Get out the checkbook and go hunt down Jamie Dixon and Jay Wright. And remember too, coaches have said NO, NO, YES before. Keep the lines of communication open with Bennett's reps.
I agree with Raymond in that we need to keep the lines of communication open with Bennett. I really don't think its over with him. At least I'm hoping its not. Bennett is such a stud and a class act.
“IU is not a fit for me,” Lavin said. “Here would not the place for me to achieve my balance, and that more than anything, having balance if I coach again, will be most important.”
He also is an indianapolis attorney and has worked with "Blue Ribbon" committee head Harry Gonso and explained him as someone who "doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground". Scary, isn't it?
One of the primary problems we are having is that:
(a) No one wanted to immediately follow Bob Knight, especially after how it went down, then
(b) No one wanted to pick up the pieces after Mike Davis' tenure, then
(c) No one wants to clean up the mess that Kelvin left.
People like Hutchens keep saying "IU is still a destination job. One of the most attractive coaching jobs in the country." (paraphrase)
Really? Because I totally don't see it. We have tradition, a rabid fan base, improving facilities, and we're in a great basketball state. Why aren't the prime-time coaches beating down our door? Why are the top up-and-coming coaches rebuffing our feelers?
Because they don't want to clean up our mess. Because they don't want to enter a situation in turmoil, especially one that is already a fishbowl to work in.
Montgomery only has 5-10 years left? Fine! Let him come in and get us back on track. Give him a chance to give the next coach something to build on. Seemed to work pretty damn well for Matta and Miller at Xavier, each building on the prior coach's success, among other programs.
My bottom line is that it is damn hard to bring in the best and the brightest when the situation looks like a bunch of broken eggs and shells lying around, rather than an omelet. 5-10 years can be a damn long time in college basketball--look how long the Davis years seemed. I'll take Montgomery in a heartbeat to right the ship, *then* we'll be a place that every hot young coach in the country will want to come and set up shop for 20-30 years.
Next?
Unless he has a son that can play like Michael J. Fox as a warewolf, let's avoid this guy.
I could have sworn CBS gave credit to Pelfrey for Fla recruiting. I watched 3 games Grant coached this year and despite having a strong team returning they underachieved...........................which is the LAST thinng I ever want to see again at IU
If we are going to reach into the Colonial then before that lets talk to Keno Davis first. He did alot with nothing this year.
I mentioned this a few weeks ago, but what I like about Dixon or Wright (recruiting wise) is that they have ties to NYC and the east coast. I don't buy the "must have Indiana or Big Ten recruiting ties" argument. I'd rather have someone with ties outside the area.
Whoever the Indiana coach is, is going to be able to recruit the state and mid-west. Hell it's Indiana. But, if that coach also has ties in NYC, Philly, DC/Baltimore then we are in real good shape.
I have to admit it was painful watching the Kansas game yesterday. If I remember correctly both Bradon Rush and Darrell Arthur chose between Kansas and IU, plus Sherron Collins is from Chicago. All I could think all game long is "what could have been".
Sorry for the long post, but we really need a recruiting closer with this hire...I thought that was going to be Bennett.
I think the IU reputation, coaching carrousel, pressure to right all our basketball wrongs was just to intimidating for Bennett. If that is true the best thing that could happen was his turn down.
We need a coach who believes enough in himself to know he can take IU to better things. Who is not afraid to match his abilities with the history of IU and add to it.
This will be a very interesting few days. It may well be that our next coach will be a lot like Sampson. He may be a well established coach with a good record whose name will make us fans say "who."
I just hope the next coach is as good a coach as Sampson, without the propensity for cheating.