Latest rumor on Sampson

[Irishbearcat]

An Indiana message board posted that Sampson was fired, and that Dakich is the interim HC. Also, IU is reportedly interested in Scott Skiles.

Take it FWIW.

[jplog]

If they don't make a run at Sean Miller their crazy.

[Irishbearcat]

I would agree, but I'm not so sure that Indiana is an upgrade from X. Xavier is 10 in the nation, and Indiana is about to get slapped with sanctions. It would have to come with a WHOLE lotta green.

[shaunsimpson]

What a difference 2 years makes. XU was calling for his head two years ago (actualy as late as after the UC game last year) and now they will be fired up if he leaves again.

[London 'Cat]

What a difference 2 years makes. XU was calling for his head two years ago (actualy as late as after the UC game last year) and now they will be fired up if he leaves again.

He's a good coach, no doubt. And he could be a great fit at IU. He'd better think about it long and hard considering what sanctions may be coming from the NCAA. As UC fans, we should hope he oes leave since he has that program firing on all cylinders right now.

[BearcatCJR23]

I would agree, but I'm not so sure that Indiana is an upgrade from X. Xavier is 10 in the nation, and Indiana is about to get slapped with sanctions. It would have to come with a WHOLE lotta green.


Irishbearcat i usually agree with most that you say, but I couldn't disagree more with you on your comment. IU is an upgrade over X all the way around. Better history, better facilities, better conference, national tv exposure, and probably twice the money atleast (same reasons Matta left for OSU). I know many will disagree, but this will probably be the highest ranked and one of the best seasons Xavier will have for while. Being in the A10 will continue to hinder them from BIG TIME recruits, especially since they get no exposure (2 out of top 3 games so far were untelevised, even by foxsportsnet - IU and UD; Tenn televised). I know IU has sanctions coming, but that is still a much better job than Xavier. Xavier is the coaches launching pad of D1 basketball.

[SLMadiCat]

I keep reading on this forum that IU will have sanctions. Has this been stated elsewhere? I'm not disagreeing, just haven't read it anywhere yet. IMO, IU (as in the administration) was unaware of what was going on, and I doubt they could have prevented Sampson from doing this. Therefore, IMO, IU should not be penalized, but Sampson should be either banned or suspended from coaching. I feel like coaches who commit the crime get off too easy in these situations.

[Irishbearcat]

They are accused of 5 major violations, including lying to the NCAA....one figures that they don't like that too much. Especially with him Sampson having a troubled past.

As far as Indiana being a better gig...on many levels it is, some very obvious. However:

-More coaches are staying at 'lesser' schools because of job security, and lesser expectations help.
-Sanctions might bring restrictions on scholarships, recruiting, tv, or tourney play....making it harder to bring in players to help the coach succeed.
-People may remember you came in during a difficult situation, but that grace period doesn't last long.......just ask Billy G.
-Xavier (like Memphis) should always be able to make the tourney, and they seem to be able to recruit enough decent talent to make runs.

Aside from the money, that's a pretty darn good situation to be in...at least in the short term. Indiana will be back, but I'm not sure I'd want to be the next coach there, similar to following a legend.

[BearcatCJR23]

Very valid and good points irishbearcat...i think that is why i am confused when some people on this forum tout Sean Miller like he's a great coach. Like you said, all they have to do is recruit subpar talent and they should easily make the tourney due to weak conference. IMO he has underachieved (until this year) with some decently talented teams in a weak weak conference. I wouldn't classify him as a terrible coach, but he is not very good (atleast yet).

[Irishbearcat]

Not going to disagree with what you said. He's done a good job at bringing in some people...but I'm not a big fan of his offense, nor do I like the softness on D (although I think we're spoiled here).
It will be interesting to see who takes the IU job, and how long Miller is at X. Although we could say the same for BK.

[shaunsimpson]

I am going to guess that if everything pans out they will get a "lack of instatutional control". They hired a guy who was under NCAA probation so I doubt the NCAA will lay off the school. I don't feel bad for IU they knew what they were getting and they decided to dance with the devil.

[jlr1523]

XU is a good program in a mid major confrence. It is probably the biggest name in the conference. If they were in another confrence they wouldnt be where they are. Still good but not a top 10 team. Maybe not even ranked. Maybe in the SEC but certainly not in the BE, Big 10, 12, Pac 10, or ACC. Theres no way.

[mlb]

XU is a good program in a mid major confrence. It is probably the biggest name in the conference. If they were in another confrence they wouldnt be where they are. Still good but not a top 10 team. Maybe not even ranked. Maybe in the SEC but certainly not in the BE, Big 10, 12, Pac 10, or ACC. Theres no way.

Among younger fans, Xavier probably is the biggest name. Among older fans I would guess that any number of those teams would be just as big if not bigger names in terms of basketball. Dayton was a powerhouse in the 50's and 60's...

[jkwuc89]

I don't care how you slice it or spin it, Indiana is a big step up from Eggs-avier. There really is no comparison when you compare the history of the two programs.

[jlr1523]

I don't care how you slice it or spin it, Indiana is a big step up from Eggs-avier. There really is no comparison when you compare the history of the two programs.

Very true.

[Irishbearcat]

Indiana is almost a powerhouse job, Xavier is a wannabe. But coaches are becoming more interested at turning down high profile jobs of late, especially if the future is cloudy there.
Be interesting to see what happens.

[Lobot]

Indiana is almost a powerhouse job, Xavier is a wannabe. But coaches are becoming more interested at turning down high profile jobs of late, especially if the future is cloudy there.
Be interesting to see what happens.

Don't know about that. Thad Matta left Xavier and walked into a program on probation and look where it got him. Sean Miller's going to be on someone's short list at the end of the year. I wouldn't expect him to stick around even if IU is on probation. You don't get a second chance at a job like IU.

[Irishbearcat]

Hey, he's on my list of possible candidates....so I would agree he's a possiblility. All I'm saying, is that it is not a no-brainer like some of you are making it out to be. The grass is not always greener.

[ralph1950]

Fox sports is today reporting that this has happened, Sampson has been fired and Dan Dakish will be the interim coach. To be announced on Friday 2-22.

[MikeInClifton]

I'm not usually big on off topic topics, but this is gonna get real nasty -

Several Hoosiers ball players threaten to quit if Sampson ousted (http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10659277?source=fbkapp)

"if Sampson ain't coaching, we ain't playing"

"[AD] Greenspan asked Sampson to resign Thursday night but Sampson -- who was alleged in a report released last week to have committed five major NCAA rules violations -- rejected the request. The sources said it now appears Sampson is daring the school to fire him and that such a move would almost certainly lead to a lawsuit. . . "

[jkwuc89]

Indiana has nobody to blame but themselves for this mess. As someone else has said, they chose to dance with the devil and now, they are paying the price.

[Irishbearcat]

This situation has trainwreck written all over it.

[jplog]

I hope this will lead to the recruitment reopening of some valuable IU commitments.

[jeffto]

Do you mean someone playing in Cincinnati?

[capcbk]

Reminds me a lot of Jim O'Brien @ tOSU...

Coach screws up...School fires coach...school suffers NCAA penalties...coach takes school to court...Coach wins lawsuit...school pays big bucks in more ways than one(meaning legal and court costs as well as paying ex-coach his money!

IU is getting what they ask for...everyone knew Sampson's history. Apparently IU thought that a leopard can change it's spots. Everyone else knew better. Tough luck IU...you reap what you sew!!!!!

[Irishbearcat]

I'm a big proponent of sanctions following coaches. Serious sanctions, not just probation. That would give schools pause before they hire two-time losers like Sampson and Harrick, and possibily make coaches pause before committing infractions.

[gjward]

Mike DeCourcy's article regarding the future of Indiana Baketball refers to the recent history of Cincinnati and how Mick Cronin is turning things around rather quickly:

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?slug=crimsonandsourcreamindia&prov=tsn&type=lgns

[Lobot]

I'm a big proponent of sanctions following coaches. Serious sanctions, not just probation. That would give schools pause before they hire two-time losers like Sampson and Harrick, and possibily make coaches pause before committing infractions.

Harrick actually managed to be a 3 strikes candidate between UCLA, RI and UGA.

The worst of the bunch in my opinion was Dave Bliss at Baylor. You pay for a guy's tuition yourself and then cover it up as a drug killing when one of your other players shoots him and leaves him in a field. That's hard to beat.

[Irishbearcat]

Baylor seems to have bounced back from that.