Hoosierdave

One thing that sucks to think about is that for us to objectively have as many coaching candidates as possible, we would basically need Ohio St and Michigan to finish strong to complicate things for them and hopefully force them to keep Howard and Diebler. Which essentially means we would have to hope IU can finish in the bottom 4, or more specifically, the bottom 2.

Sorry to hear that but very relatable. My girlfriend wanted to surprise me for my birthday by getting me tickets to the last home game. The last game I went to at AH was in 2016 (vs Maryland when we won the B10 regular season) my senior year. I’ve been dying to return (I live on the east coast). She knows how passionate of a fan I am and I’ve told her on numerous occasions how special the Hoosier hysteria is when this team is good. Following the Purdue blowout at home, she felt the need to ruin the surprise because of how upset I was. Glad she ruined it because I told her I didn’t want to spend my birthday weekend having her pay for tickets, flights, hotels etc when this team stinks and Bloomington would be depressing following an inevitable loss. I think that says a lot when someone like myself who hasn’t been back to AH since 2016 didn’t jump at the opportunity when someone is covering all the expenses.

I get the hesitation but not sure why Pearl should be disqualified because he’s older. Jim Larranaga-> Took Miami to a F4 last year and an E8 the previous. He’s 74. Leonard Hamilton-> He’s now 75. 4 years ago had FSU top 2 in the conference and went to a S16. Year before that (Covid year) team was first in conference and had a 26-5 record. Year before that, Sweet 16. Year before that, E8. Doing all of that in his late 60’s/early 70’s. Brian Dutcher-> National Championship game last year. 3 straight tournament appearances. Covid year they were best team in conference. 64 years old. Coach K-> Retired mid 70’s. Roy Williams-> Retired early 70’s. Bill Self (61), Cal (65), Izzo (69), Barnes (69), Pitino (71). These guys are some of the best in the game currently. Only see their names brought up in retirement if they are having bad seasons, which are rare. Still not convinced? Here’s a study done arguing that the older coaches are more successful than younger coaches in the tournament. Some interesting notes from it: “The average age of head coaches in the Sweet Sixteen since 2010 is 52.9 years old. That average increases to 54.1 years old in the Elite Eight and 55.6 years old in the Final Four. While the average age of championship game coaches stays fairly flat at 55.3, the average age of championship winners since 2010 jumps to 57.8 years old.” https://www.medicareadvantage.com/resources/average-age-of-winning-ncaa-coaches We also just hired a FB coach who is 62, which seems to bother no one…why? Because we want to win and feel he was the best pick to accomplish that. Apply the same standard.

I would probably prefer Pearl because of the optics but Beard is younger so it would help with longevity/stability. Beard is probably the best/most realistic chance we have because of Pearl’s buyout. I don’t see any other coach risking the comfort of their current gig to come here unless we provide a massive pay increase (Drew, Muss, Few, Oats, etc.) With Beard’s controversy, as the sayings go, “Time heals all wounds” and “winning cures all”. He had this to say about Bob Knight when he passed away: "Besides my father, no one's had more impact on my life than Bob Knight””… [Pat and Bob Knight] took a chance on me as a junior college coach in 2000. They not only gave me an opportunity, but empowered me and gave me the confidence to know that I can coach and win at this level. He means the world. His commitment to academics, is instilled in his college basketball. No one really talks about that anymore with the [NIL], the pressure for coaches and players to win, and the microscope of social media. But it's college athletics. It's still about college and getting guys degrees. Coach had basically a 100 percent or 98.9 [graduation rate], which is unparalleled over a 40-plus year career at three different institutions - Army, Indiana, and Texas Tech. I'm so proud to be associated with Coach Knight..I hope in some way he enjoys watching our teams play here at Ole Miss. We'll honor him in every way we can." Quotes like that give me faith he would be on his absolute best behavior and not do anything stupid to jeopardize the relationship he has with the Knight family and the program he built. Also gives me faith he would work his ass off for Knight.

Agreed, as the saying goes, “beggars can’t be choosers.” If he’s the best Coach available, you take him and worry about the longevity later. 1-2 good seasons can completely change a program.

Some journalist needs to clap back real fast and ask him how they did just fine without X last year then…

When you hire someone that has never coached or recruited in college basketball and the wheels fall off by year 3.

I hate DD but this was hilarious

In Woody’s defense, it is Wednesday, aka “hump day”. He’s been rather transparent he can’t get us over “the hump” so it shouldn’t comes as a surprise.

Are we surprised? Woody said himself a couple days ago this team “plays well in spurts.”

Dolson has to fire Woody tonight if he loses in front of Chris Tucker. Sorry, those are the rules 😂

Just waiting for Reneau, Mac, and Liam to dip for me to be put out of my misery and stop watching until a new coach comes in. Mediocre Mike Woodson running the program into the ground. Which shouldn’t come as a shock at all when you hire someone who has literally never coached college basketball in his 60+ years on earth.

Literally wtf else does Dolson have to see to make him retire?!

I can see it now, we’ll add those 7-8 guys and they won’t mesh and our coach will say “these guys just need more time together”. Then Dolson tosses him an extra million and an extension.

Watching us try and score is like tossing a ball to someone and throwing them into a mosh pit lmao.

Might as well ask the refs every game if we can start 10 points behind. It happens within 10 minutes anyway

Another game our coaching staff gets to see first hand what guards and perimeter play do in college basketball. Maybe by year 4 they’ll get a clue!

Dream big (but execute little) 24!

It pains me to say but I’m starting to change my opinion around (originally) supporting this team until the end of the season in hopes it can show the new coach how loyal we are and the home court advantage we have. Pretty clear Woodson will be stubborn and make this as difficult of a firing/retirement as possible moving forward, so not expecting a move made in the offseason. I fear the only way to force action from Dolson and friends is to speed up the timeline by selling away game tickets, leaving assembly hall empty, not attending neutral site games, and emailing Dolson requesting their NIL donations be returned. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Hang the banner

Sounds like Sean Miller is a done deal to Ohio St.

Thanks, (temporary) music to my ears. One day at a time though haha! Any concern Queen not coming here means Liam is reconsidering? Or more just the hometown hero/staff relationship was the deciding factor.

Sorry, he’s not likely to transfer (as of now)? If so, you think he would actually play the 5 or another year of bully ball?