Indiana basketball coaching search hot board: March 14 - Inside the Hall

As Indiana awaits its postseason destiny on Choice Sunday, the seek for the thirty first coach in program historical past continues.

Whereas not so as of IU’s curiosity or the candidate’s curiosity within the place, right here’s our newest teaching sizzling board grouped by tiers.

Candidates are listed alphabetically inside every tier:

Learn all of our teaching search profiles right here: Dusty Could, Scott Drew, Mick Cronin, Greg McDermott, Buzz Williams, T.J. Otzelberger, Ben McCollum, Tommy Lloyd, Brad Brownell, Chris Beard, Will Wade, Chris Collins, Darian DeVries

Producing probably the most dialogue

Brad Brownell, Clemson

Brownell was on the new seat at Clemson for years, however he broke by means of and superior to the Elite Eight final season. He presently has the Tigers ranked within the high 20 of KenPom forward of right this moment’s ACC event semifinal towards Louisville.

Whereas his report isn’t elite, Clemson additionally falls wanting a premier job. The college is laser-focused on soccer and solely has fan help for basketball when the group is profitable. That wouldn’t be an issue in Bloomington. Brownell would have the sources essential to construct an elite roster every season.

Right here’s what Brownell, an Indiana native, needed to say concerning the IU job when requested earlier this week, in response to Greenville Information:

“I’m not going to speak about potential jobs. I’ve an ideal job, and I’m 100% centered on this group and what we’ve received forward of us. I’m attempting to do the whole lot I can to assist us proceed to win the following sport.”

On Thursday, Drake coach Ben McCollum was The Sizzling Title for #iubb job. My sources say Clemson’s Brad Brownell is #1 and McCollum is #2.

— rickbozich (@rickbozich) March 14, 2025

Chris Collins, Northwestern

Collins is aware of the Large Ten effectively, having spent the final 12 seasons in Evanston main Northwestern. Collins has taken the Wildcats to the NCAA event thrice, together with back-to-back appearances in 2023 and 2024.

Whereas not an attractive title, the argument for Collins can be recognizing his success with meager sources at Northwestern.

May he win at a a lot larger stage with IU’s monetary dedication to this system? It’s Dolson’s job to determine that out.

Ben McCollum, Drake

With Jeff Goodman reporting Thursday that he’s emerged as a high candidate for the place, McCollum has no scarcity of buzz proper now.

He gained 4 NCAA Division II championships at Northwest Missouri State earlier than accepting the Drake job within the spring of 2024.

With a 30-3 report, he’s had nice success in his first season on the Division I stage. The Bulldogs can be in subsequent week’s NCAA event because the champions of the Missouri Valley Convention. At simply 43 years previous, McCollum might be a long-term resolution in Bloomington.

Greg McDermott, Creighton

McDermott frequently takes the Blue Jays to the NCAA event and is among the high offensive coaches within the sport. He not too long ago signed a contract extension, however there are experiences that his buyout isn’t a significant impediment. Whether or not he would depart the safety of the Creighton job at 60 years previous is an unknown.

McDermott led Creighton to the Elite Eight in 2023 and completed within the high 12 of the KenPom rankings within the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

This season, Creighton is 23-9 and can once more be within the NCAA event subject.

Buzz Williams, Texas A&M

The 52-year-old Williams made a number of Candy Sixteens and an Elite Eight at Marquette and a Candy Sixteen at Virginia Tech. He’s in his sixth season at Texas A&M and has the Aggies at 22-10 general and within the high 20 of the KenPom scores.

As a Texas native, would Williams be open to leaving the state? Even when the reply is sure, it’s unclear if his candidacy would have broad enchantment to the IU fanbase. The Aggies are a below-average capturing group, grinding out video games with protection this season.

Obstacles to beat

Chris Beard, Ole Miss

As outspoken as many IU followers have been about their help for Beard, there’s been no indication that he’s significantly being thought of for the job.

When it comes to teaching credentials, Beard has no scarcity of them. He led Texas Tech to an look within the nationwide championship sport in 2019. Beard has the Rebels in line for a second straight NCAA event look this spring. His off-the-court historical past, nevertheless, is stopping him from critical consideration.

Mick Cronin, UCLA

A midwesterner now in Westwood main the Bruins, does Cronin wish to transfer again nearer to house? He’s already led UCLA to a Last 4 look in 2021 and back-to-back Candy Sixteen appearances in 2022 and 2023.

The 53-year-old prioritizes protection above all else, and whereas his fashion of play isn’t thrilling, he’s confirmed to have the ability to attain the NCAA event persistently. Cronin’s buyout, reportedly over $10 million, is likely to be a dealbreaker.

Will Wade, McNeese

Wade, 42, rehabilitated his profession after LSU fired him for NCAA rule infractions. An elite recruiter, Wade took McNeese State to an NCAA event within the 2024 season, his first with this system, and is again within the event once more this season.

Wade, nevertheless, nonetheless has a show-cause penalty that expires this summer time.