Who Will Be IU's Next Coach?

I mentioned Montgomery first time we had a thread about IU's new coach. How he's not been in the mix for open jobs is beyond me. He did an excellent job at Stanford, and his job at Golden St just proved that the NBA is a different game and that he is a college coach through and through. Good basketball mind.

The fact that IU would consider Miller's buyout too much either says that IU doesn't esteem Miller high enough, or that IU just doesn't have the "oomph" it once had. Like what you pointed out, the fact that there were several names on the list and Sampson came from mid-pack to get the job says that maybe IU couldn't get the guys they wanted. I think that's a shame if true. IU is a great school in a nice college town, and Indiana basketball is a basketball all its own.

 

Regarding Pearl's extension: he's already locked up (I believe) through 2012. I'd make it an ETERNAL contract :smilewinkgrin:

 

Andy Katz is reporting that Tony Bennett has turned down the opportunity to take the IU job and has told IU's AD as much. ESPN sources say Mike Montgomery is next on the list. There are conflicting reports as to whether or not an offer was extended. Some say IU did offer Bennett, some say they did not.

Lon Kruger has been mentioned as an outside candidate.

BTW, Bruce Pearl's buyout - today - is one million. I may have misquoted that earlier. I'd expect that to be higher when his new contract comes out (how do you know it's springtime in Knoxville? The Dogwoods bloom and Bruce Pearl gets a new contract!)

 

Crean is a ggod coach. I believe this was his last shot at a big time job. He wasn't able to parlay the Dwayne Wade-led run into a top tier job. I do not know how he'll do. Too much dust needs to settle. He'll definitely cash some good checks for a while if nothing else.

Sean Sutton stepped down at Okla St today. A storied program in a power conference is open. They could probably get folks that IU couldn't - maybe

 

Okla St has Bill Self and Gillespie (who has yet to sign a contract at Kentucky) answering questions about the opening there.

Incidentally, Pearl released a statement today http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3324626 saying he has no interest in any other job other than Tennessee. Word is he didn't want a statement out until Scotty Hopson finished with his visit and official committment, a huge one for the Vols as they beat UK, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Memphis. He is a McDonald's All American and broke records set by a fellow Mr. Kentucky basketball named Chris Lofton.

 

I dunno'.

But I do recall a couple of fellows who never signed a contract, namly Adolph Rupp, and 'Red' Auerbach. And the best that I can recall, neither of them left their organizations until Auerbach retired as coach, but stayed on as team president and GM, for many years after that, and 'Uncle Adolph' was forced out after 42 years 'on the pine', by UK's (then, since rescinded) mandatory retirement age of 70.

:tear: As a sad note, "Mr. Wildcat", Bill Keitley, the Equiptment Manager for UK basketball for 48 years died Monday evening from a previously undiagnosed malignant tumor on the spine, which apparently ruptured after a fall, getting off the bus for the REDS opening game, and which caused internal bleeding that could not be stopped. (He actually thought he was uninjured, and did not even want to go to the hospital, but was persuaded to go, just to be checked out.) He had been on the bench for 57% the games UK had played, in its entire history, and witnessed over 1100 wins. His was the first face UK players saw when they arrived at the gym, and was always the last one to leave, through six coaches, starting with Adolph Rupp. He was a great father figure to the players, as was Asst. Coach Harry Lancaster, for many years, before Lancaster was promoted to AD. He actually started the year before I started listening to UK basketball, so he had been there for every game I ever heard or saw, plus the many I did not attend, see or hear. That space on the bench, and his shoes will never be filled. The next one in that position, no matter how qualified and able, will merely be 'the person who got Mr. Keitley's job after he was gone'.

"Mr. Wildcat", William J. (Bill) Keitley was 81.

Ed

 

Keitley was a fixture in Lexington and will be missed. The Big Orange Nation sends its condolences.

As for the contracts, Rupp and Red were in different eras. Billy G didn't sign a contract at A&M. Days later, he bolted. I wonder if he has his eyes on somewhere else.

It's going to be interesting to see who Marquette lands. Tony Bennett is rumored to be on the list, as is Sean Miller, Kevin Stallings, Lon Kruger, Rick Majerus (unlikely) and Bruce Weber from Illinois. Why interesting? What if Marquette lands someone that IU could not?