Buzz Williams? Bruce Pearl? Scott Drew?
With Indiana being one of the more high profile jobs in the sport, there’s plenty of folks around college basketball media who are floating possible candidates to lead the program into the future.
Some of these are realistic, guys I wouldn’t be surprised to see get a call from Indiana. Others are guys who might not necessarily fit. It’s a bit of a mixed bag.
Indianapolis Star
- Buzz Williams (Texas A&M) – via Gregg Doyel
Doyel touts WIlliams’ record at multiple jobs and overall integrity as a coach with a nod to Texas A&M’s win over Purdue in Indianapolis this past nonconference season.
ESPN – Jeff Borzello
- TOP TARGETS: Scott Drew (Baylor), Bruce Pearl (Auburn), T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State), Dusty May (Michigan), Chris Beard (Ole Miss), Nate Oats (Alabama), Todd Golden (Florida), Dennis Gates (Missouri), Mick Cronin (UCLA), Tommy Lloyd (Arizona), Shaka Smart (Marquette), Billy Donovan (Chicago Bulls)
It must be noted this list was presented as guys that should probably get a call but are in all likelihood unobtainable. Brad Stevens had an entire section above these guys.
- REALISTIC TARGETS: Buzz Williams (Texas A&M), Grant McCasland (Texas Tech), Greg McDermott (Creighton)
Well, there’s Buzz Williams again. McCasland is going to be listed a few times but I think Tech is probably underrated as far as resources go and he’s hardly ever left the state of Texas so it’s hard to see that happening. McDermott was linked to Ohio State last offseason but remained in Omaha.
- SLEEPERS: Will Wade (McNeese), Josh Schertz (Saint Louis), Mark Byington (Vanderbilt)
This group speaks for itself, I think.
The Athletic – Brendan Marks
- Dusty May (Michigan), Grant McCasland (Texas Tech), Ben McCollum (Drake), Greg McDermott (Creighton). TJ Otzelberger (Iowa State), Bruce Pearl (Auburn)
This list is in alphabetical order. Marks notes that May is unlikely to accept the job and says the same of Pearl, noting the latter’s lack of deeper history with the program (Pearl coached in Indiana, won a division-II national championship at Southern Indiana, is still widely revered in that part of the state and has frequently mentioned his admiration for the program and the state as a whole).
Fox Sports – John Fanta
- Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics), Chris Beard (Ole Miss), Dusty May (Michigan), TJ Otzelberger (Iowa State), Buzz Williams (Texas A&M), Greg McDermott (Creighton), Dennis Gates (Missouri)
- OTHER NAMES: Ben McCollum (Drake), Grant McCasland (Texas Tech), Shaka Smart (Marquette), Chris Jans (Mississippi State), Mark Byington (Vanderbilt)
There aren’t any names on this list you haven’t seen before. There’s a clear separation between candidates Indiana should call for the sake of gauging interest and those perceived to be more realistic options.