MILLER TO INDIANA?

[stewiex]

As much as I'd like to believe that Sean would stay, I refuse to fall into that mindset that Matta led us into once before. I think if IU or Pitt come calling the temptations they bring are too great for anyone to resist (like doubling his salary right off the bat). It is NOT easier to win a championship here than at IU (just based on IU having numerous titles and we have none), that's just not clear thinking. It's far easier to recruit into Assembly Hall than the Cintas Center. As far as Mark Few goes, he may have turned down so many jobs over the years that other coaches, such as Miller, may seem more attractive now.

[MarionHall4ever]

Guys -- chill out. There is not yet an opening at I.U., and there probably won't be one until at least June. The folks in power at I.U. saw what happened to Ohio State in the Courts in the Jim O'Brien matter. As one practices law for a living, I have to believe they don't want to act prematurely and have the same thing happen to them.

As I said yesterday on a different post, if I.U. does decide to replace Sampson, they almost have to do so with a "major name". We might think that Sean is the next Pitino, Calipari or the guy at Florida (whose name escapes me), but I really don't think he's perceived that way nationally quite yet. I also said that you shouldn't be surprised if the name of one Robert Montgomery Knight is mentioned. Well, surprise, his name is now out there. That's a "major name" for you -- actually, that is THE ultimate "major name" for this particular posssible job opening.

In the meantime, we've got a GREAT season going here. Let's not lose sight of that.

[tacitus]

If Miller ended up at IU, I would like to see Matta go be his assistant.

I bet Matta is kicking himself in the nads right about now. If he had waited a few years, he could have had his dream job. But he had to jump on the first opportunity! Its a shame we didn't beat them last year. I hope we make the final four this year... so Matta regrets his decision all the more.

Hopefully Miller is smarter. I'm sure he would prefer Pitt over IU. I would prefer him to turn gray at X... but we can't possibly know what is going through his mind. So lets not talk about it until IU makes an offer and/or Miller makes some sort of statement. If he pulls a beaknose... we'll let him have it (whisper: in cyberspace).

[broadripple]

Other names IU will be interested in.

Bruce Pearl: There's alot of sentiment for him here in Indy. As mentioned he coached with great success at USI in evansville. He is probably a little to shifty for IU, but they will most likely contact him. He can't be any worse than Sampson.

Thad Matta: IU was his Dream Job before going to OSU. I would imagine that IU would have to at the very least contact him. He would be the biggest splash ever as far as IU fans go.

Scott Drew: This is another candidate that lots of IU fans would likely get behind. He has had a very clean track record. Has the ties to Indiana through coaching at Valpo under his father Homer.

Scott Skiles: His name came up last time there was an opening @ IU, but of course he was with the Bulls. Would he want to coach college? He's a hard nosed disciplinarian, which is easier to get away with when dealing with college kids, but that doesn't mean he'd want to have to go out and recruit.

Keno Davis: I would find him to be an interesting and strong candidate having great success at Drake. His father Dr. Tom Davis coached in and was well respected in the Big Ten @ Iowa. He's sure to be mentioned alot if Drake can make a run in the tourney.

Others that I've heard on the radio include: Gregory, Miller, Lickliter, Bobby Knight (laughable...he wouldn't stop to take a dump in Bloomington), Randy Wittman.

The thing is... I don't know that IU is smart enought to go after Miller.

[True_Blue]

How about Thad Matta to IU...

I thought he always really wanted to go back to the state of Indiana as the head coach of IU, or Purdue...

[Mr. Neutral]

Skiles was asked about a college job just recently, and he said that he's an NBA-only coach.

Of course, as we've seen, things can change.

[stewiex]

Marion, you must be out of your mind if you think IU would consider Knight for Sampson's job or visa versa. They parted on very bad terms and I've seen nothing to suggest that's not the way it remains.

[xu drew]

broadripple - what about bennett up at washington st? i've seen that name as a potential replacement in a few different places

[MarionHall4ever]

Marion, you must be out of your mind if you think IU would consider Knight for Sampson's job or visa versa. They parted on very bad terms and I've seen nothing to suggest that's not the way it remains.

Stewiex,

I can't fault you for questioning my mental state. That's actually probably a fair comment.

No question that Knight and the IU Administration (especially Mr. Brand) parted on bad terms. Mr. Brand moved on to the NCAA, however, and it's my understanding that his successor as IU President has also moved on. While I'm sure that there are still faculty members at IU who would oppose Knight's return, he didn't give a rat's ass for their opinions when he was there before and he would not do so if he returned. Don't think for a moment, however, that his supporters at IU and throughout the State of Indiana do not far outnumber his detractors.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I really do think that he resigned his positiion at Texas Tech so he could give the job to his Son. I don't think that his resignation had anything to do with what is brewing at I.U. I think it really was coincidental timing. When he resigned, however, he made it pretty clear that this was not necessarily retirement for him, so the door is open.

No way does Knight go crawling back to Indiana. And I sincerely doubt that he will come out say that he is even interested in the job if it opens up. But, if the powers at IU were to make the first move and appeal to his massive ego and make it seem like they are begging him to come back, I really don't think he could resist. It would be vindication. He would get to return on his terms.

Consider the psychological backdrop. He wouldn't be returning as the Prodigal Son. He'd be returning as the avenging angel. For all his other problems, Knight is a "black" and "white" guy when it comes to rules. There are no "gray" areas with him. If your program is in trouble with the NCAA for recruiting rules violations, he is the safest pick in the world. He brings along all sorts of other baggage, but you'll never have to worry about him running afoul of the NCAA recruiting rules.

And don't think for a moment that he wouldn't just love to be able to make Myles Brand look bad in the process. Brand, the guy who booted him out of IU, now might possibly be putting IU on probation (or worse) because one of Knight's successors broke rules that Knight would have never broken. You don't think that Knight would relish the opportunity to come in and clean up a mess that Brand inadvertently created when he kicked out Knight?!?

One of the most fascinating books that I have ever read was "A Season on the Brink" by John Feinstein. If you haven't read it, I'd heartily recommend it. Feinstein spent an entire year with Knight during Steve Alford's junior season. The insights Feinstein provides into Knight's mind are the basis for the thoughts that I express here.

I'm not saying that he's a lock for the job if it opens, but I really do believe that he would return. As to whether IU wants him, well, that's another story.

[broadripple]

I was listening to our local host interview Dan Wetzel from yahoo.com sports and the first guy he mentioned as a possible replacement should sampson be fired was Miller. I can't explain it...gut feeling maybe, but I just feel like IU would want a bigger splash with regards to the IU fans. Miller has only come up once from the many who are calling in with their pick and the local host didn't even acknowledge it. Fans voicing a choice and the administration making a choice are two different things, but I just feel like there are other coaches out there that would make more sense for Indiana.

Bennett at WSU is probably worthy of some mention as a possible candidate, but I think he might be pidgeon-holed as a west coast guy (even with his father having coached at wisconsin). You never know though.