End Of An Era: Mike Woodson Reportedly Stepping Down At Indiana
FINALLY! Every report is saying that it is Woodson's plan to step down as the head coach of Indiana, and retire most likely at the end of the season. This is Woodson's choice just like it is your stubborn senile grandpa's choice to move into an assisted living facility after a bad fall. The world has passed him by, he can't be trusted, and in the biggest moments he shits the bed (Woodson, not your grandpa).
Woody was a legend in his playing days at Indiana, and when he got hired, he was able to keep TJD around, so I don't want to dance to hard on his grave. BUT, by all accounts Woodson's ego and treatment of people off the court led to his exit (not just dog shit coaching.) So, I'm not dancing on Woody's grave, I'm just kind of enjoying an awkward sway on it like you do at a concert for a band you don't really know.
Who should the next coach of the Hoosiers be? In an ideal world, Indiana never fired Sampson for fake NCAA rules that no longer exist. BUT, it happened. Luckily we have the guy who went and got Cignetti making this coaching decision - Scott Dolson, AND since Dolson brought in Cignetti, hopefully he'll have a little more say in who the next head basketball coach is, and the decision won't be left up to a bunch of Woodson's friends. But who would I like to see as the coach?
Every Hoosier fan's dream is obviously Brad Stevens. Every year I say, "that's impossible." Only to convince myself after a lengthy twitter scroll and checking a couple of message boards that Brad wants to come home to fill the vacancy at his dream job. The expectations would be astronomically high, but Stevens is succesful anywhere he goes - why not come home and be a legend.
The only other candidate that I would want is a controversial option in Chris Beard. I'm not completely sold on Chris Beard becoming the head coach based off his legal drama, but I don't know all the details, and he was proven innocent in the court of law. On the hardwood court, he is an incredible coach who understands winning. Ignoring all the bullshit and focusing on basketball, I wouldn't hate seeing him coaching on the sidelines at Assembly Hall.
The last candidate that I guess I'd be fine with, but I don't really want is Dusty May. He has ties to IU and it's a great story to see him come back, but I think there are better coaches out there. He took a team to the Final 4, but Mike Davis also took a team to a National Title with less lucky breaks. Dusty got Michigan back on track in his first season coaching, but I feel like a powerhouse like Michigan should be good every year (like Indiana) and it's more a testament to what a bad coach Howard was that Michigan fell off. BUT, if there was some way Indiana could buy out May and bring him home, sure ... I guess there are worse options.
Indiana fans get a bad wrap for having unreal expectations and turning on their coach, which I think is unfair. Hoosier fans simply want to see good basketball and make the tournament. The product that's been on the court has been terrible for awhile now. A lot of talent, but horrible coaching. Recruiting good players is only part of it *cough* Tom Crean *cough* A coach who knows X's and O's would go a long way. Yes, the goal is a national title, but if Indiana can get a good product out of players who are getting better every year, the rational fans will be happy.