Indiana weighs its options without Sampson
If the speculation is correct, Kelvin Sampson can forget about taking D.J. White and Eric Gordon to the Final Four. He’ll be lucky if he gets to face in-state rival Purdue.
Indiana University has seven days to decide Sampson’s future. A three-person committee will weigh the NCAA allegations of five major violations, and then recommend to the University by Friday what action it should take. Then again, it may be sooner.
“I think the president is looking for a quick yet thoughtful resolution to the situation,” Larry MacIntyre, IU’s director of university communications, told the Indianapolis Star. "The process could take seven days or less. It just can’t take eight.”
The school had until May 8 to issue a written response to the NCAA allegations. Instead, they’re going to use three people to review the material and won’t interview anyone new. It’ll be led by athletic director Rick Greenspan, who hired Sampson.
In short, it’s all just to give the appearance that the school is giving Sampson due process. An appearance, mind you. Because it’s obvious officials have made up their mind – Sampson’s out.
After all, if it normally takes a school about 90 days to review an NCAA allegation, how is Indiana doing so in just 7 days? The decision’s likely been made already, and this is to save the University if Sampson decides to sue for breach of contract. Anything that violates Sampson’s deal could cost the school at least $2.5 million.
(This editorial from the Star endorses the school’s decision for “due process.” I wish Bob Kravitz could’ve been in the room when they discussed that one. He would either suspend Sampson or simply cut to the chase and fire him. Think that could’ve gotten heated?)
So what will Indiana do after Sampson?
First, a talented group of players must finish out the season. The Hoosiers are in the hunt for the Big Ten title, but without wins against Michigan State and Purdue, they’ll be hard pressed to claim the regular-season crown. Still, provided the school doesn’t impose a postseason ban – which isn’t on the radar – they’ll have a chance to prove themselves in March.
As for a new coach, Indiana doesn’t have many options right now. They’ll almost certainly turn to an interim coach for the rest of the season and have a full-blown search after the season. Big names will likely surface – Steve Alford, for starters – but the smart money would be on a younger coach without any ties to the Knight era so the school can have a clean break. Baylor’s Scott Drew (a Valpo grad), Wright State’s Brad Brownell or Southern Illinois’ Chris Lowery would be good places to start.
Why not just hire Bob Knight? Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News lists several reasons why that’d be a bad idea. Also, Knight may not even want the job.
One thing’s for sure: The next Indiana coach won’t bring any baggage with him.
