Indystar blog on Izzo

Dr. Dunkenstein · 03-04-2008, 02:39 PM

3. Tom Izzo -- I've heard it from enough people now to believe that if Indiana came calling that Izzo would give the Hoosiers a long look. And here's my question: If you could get Izzo right now, wouldn't you do that in a heartbeat? He's a great x's and o's coach, he can recruit and he's a good face for the program. He would bring instant credibility back to Indiana University. My question is when push came to shove, though, could he pull the trigger and go from one Big Ten school to another? I find that hard to believe, but again I'm hearing it from enough people to think that he's interested at some level. And like I said, if Izzo is interested, I'd say go get him.

17. Tom Crean -- Another name that always comes up. I haven't heard it as much this time as I did after Davis resigned. Here's one for you though. If Izzo did come to IU, one would think the dominos would begin falling with Crean heading to Michigan State.

Hoosiers Insider | IndyStar.com

PortlandSpartan · 03-04-2008, 02:41 PM

Those morons are insane if they think Izzo would leave MSU for another B10 school. INSANE.

Dexter Morgan · 03-04-2008, 02:41 PM

Why not just go after God? They've got a better chance at Him than they do Izzo.

There sure are some ******ed people in Indiana.

J T · 03-04-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Dunkenstein

I find that hard to believe, but again I'm hearing it from enough people to think that he's interested at some level. And like I said, if Izzo is interested, I'd say go get him.

This is such a frickin' pipe dream. These Indiana fans need to stop dreaming.

Who ARE these "enough people" anyway?

Trevor Barnes · 03-04-2008, 02:51 PM

I for one would be crushed...crushed...if Izzo left for another Big Ten school. A Duke or the NBA, ok, but another school in our conference, that would hurt...a lot.

Servo · 03-04-2008, 02:53 PM

I'm sure he'd jump at that "opportunity"

Phil McCrackin · 03-04-2008, 02:53 PM

Enough people = Indy Star reporters and IU fans hoping that if they say it enough, it'll actually have a chance of happening.

Seriously. Izzo turned down the NBA twice, saying "I have a commitment to this program and that is to try to win another national championship". He declined to even talk to Kentucky when that job opened up.

Suddenly he'd rather take over a f-ed up Indiana program facing sanctions and post season bans than continue building something at MSU? No. Even putting my glass of green kool-aid down for a second, I just don't see this happening. I doubt he'd even talk to them about the possibility.

spartya19 · 03-04-2008, 02:55 PM

Does anybody have an email for that guy? IMO, I think he made that information up....that, or he is just taking what "Indiana" people want or think of their program...

Once, just once, I want to hear a writer back up his sources with actual people

Wizard Sleeve · 03-04-2008, 02:58 PM

Vince of 231 · 03-04-2008, 03:02 PM

It's like the list of names after Lloyd announced his retirement:
Pete Carroll, Bill Cowher, Bob Stoops, Kirk Ferentz, Gary Pinkel were many of the names mentioned with Les Miles. Greg Schiano was offered first or second (depending upon whether Miles was or wasn't), and rr wasn't brought up until you got well down the lists.

As was posted yesterday, the story "Izzo Good Fit for IU" should have been followed up with "IU not a good fit for Izzo".

TrueGreenSpartan · 03-04-2008, 03:04 PM

Every single comment basically says "if Izzo is interested, take him but their is no way he's interested so here is who I'd pick after him." I agree with one who asks who's talking about Izzo anyway. With his last two recruiting classes why would he want to leave now.

Also, if Crean took the job wouldn't he be most likely off the list of possible people to take over for Izzo when he retires?

Fletch · 03-04-2008, 03:05 PM

The same blog also said that Dr. James Naismith may be interested in the gig as well.

RoseBowl · 03-04-2008, 03:06 PM

Damn! Is their list long enough????? 25 names

Fletch · 03-04-2008, 03:08 PM

IU fans are just like fans anywhere else - they have an incredibly inflated and unrealistic self image. Just take a look at some of the names floated around by MSU fans during our recent football searches.

IU is going to end up with a mid major head coach. He might end up being a great fit, but his name ain't going to be Izzo, K, Donovan, or anyone else that is a household name.

pulling69 · 03-04-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoseBowl

Damn! Is their list long enough????? 25 names

And why shouldnt it be?? They are the great Indiana and every coach out there is jumping through fire and smashing through walls to get an interview. Phil Jackson just called us and said he is on the way.

mighty mouth · 03-04-2008, 03:12 PM

It is hard for me to picture Coach Izzo leaving for IU right now, for one basic reason. At MSU one of his best friends is the AD and he basically rules the kingdom. At IU the AD situation is still 'up in the air', sure they haven't fired the AD yet...but would anyone be shocked to see him quietly resign this summer? Throw in the fact that IU football is horrendous, thus not much of a recruiting boon....

I just don't see it. It's an attractive and legendary job...no doubt about that. But the politics around it have made it damaged goods right now.

msuferd · 03-04-2008, 03:12 PM

Just take Stallings from Vandy and be done with it. We all know that's who they'll end up with.

steve81 · 03-04-2008, 03:14 PM

"Why isn't Bo Ryan on the list?"

Sincerely,
All the Bo slurpers

J T · 03-04-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

I for one would be crushed...crushed...if Izzo left for another Big Ten school. A Duke or the NBA, ok, but another school in our conference, that would hurt...a lot.

It would NEVER happen. This whold idea should just be put to rest RIGHT NOW. I can't believe people are even pondering the idea.

Fletch · 03-04-2008, 03:16 PM

Is Indiana even considered a good gig any more? Certainly they are convinced they are elite, but on the national stage they've been more of an embarrassment than anything thanks to Bobby and Kelvin. Their facilities are mediocre at best and the coach has to deal with expectations from fans who still think this is the 70s or 80s and IU should be undefeated every season.

IMHO, IU wouldn't even be the best job in the Big 10 right now, much less one of the best in the country.

Fletch · 03-04-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve81

"Why isn't Bo Ryan on the list?"

Sincerely,
All the Bo slurpers

Because he's so loyal to Wisconsin that nobody would dare even mention his name, much less try to talk to him.

Sincerely,

Chitown Badger

MattR644 · 03-04-2008, 03:20 PM

Methinks you guys are taking that list a little too seriously. Seems like this guy just spit out the first 25 names that came to mind. I mean, Bobby Knight, Billy Donovan, and Rick Pitino are also on this list, I don't think these were all meant to be "serious" candidates.

Vince of 231 · 03-04-2008, 03:23 PM

Izzo would NEVER coach at a school that didn't have a football program.

DantonIzzo · 03-04-2008, 03:26 PM

I'd give that, oh, about a -20% chance of happening.

Vince of 231 · 03-04-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattR644

Methinks you guys are taking that list a little too seriously. Seems like this guy just spit out the first 25 names that came to mind. I mean, Bobby Knight, Billy Donovan, and Rick Pitino are also on this list, I don't think these were all meant to be "serious" candidates.

Knight is "available", Pitino is known to jump to other offers, and Donovan did leave--sort of--before returning to UF once already. No matter how unlikely, any one of those would make more sense to pursue than Izzo.