Indiana set to hire Tom Crean

[BRM]

Per Andy Katz.

According to a report late this afternoon, Tom Crean will be the man to take over the head coaching job at Indiana University. We’re working to confirm this story but it has been reported by Andy Katz of ESPN. As of 5:30, Indiana was still waiting a signed agreement from Crean.

http://www.insidethehall.com/

[BRM]

Trying to put a tumultuous few months behind it, Indiana University is on the verge of naming a new coach, Tom Crean of Marquette, a source with the school told ESPN.com's Andy Katz on Tuesday.

The Hoosiers have to hope that the hiring goes more smoothly than the awkward parting with former coach Kelvin Sampson.

Indiana is awaiting a letter of agreement from Crean before a deal is finalized, and a tentative news conference has been scheduled for Wednesday to make an announcement.

He resigned amid allegations of NCAA violations. Dan Dakich, an assistant under Sampson and a former Indiana player and assistant under Bob Knight, took over as interim coach for the rest of the season.

The university first contacted Washington State coach Tony Bennett late Saturday night, but he withdrew from consideration.

Crean, who took the Dwyane Wade-led Golden Eagles to the Final Four in 2003, just completed a 25-10 season. Marquette lost to Stanford in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Crean is 190-96 in nine seasons at Marquette and has taken the Golden Eagles to the NCAA tournament five times. Before that, he was an assistant at Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Western Kentucky.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3324439

[WMR]

Well, you already know what I think about Crean.

[gilpdawg]

I'm happy with this.

It could have been worse.

[Highlifeman21]

Good hire by IU if it ends up being true.

[gilpdawg]

Originally Posted by WilyMoROCKS

Well, you already know what I think about Crean.

Refresh my memory. He doesn't have any obvious ties to UK,(other than Western) so therefore I can't predict what you'd think.

[WMR]

Originally Posted by gilpdawg

Refresh my memory. He doesn't have any obvious ties to UK,(other than Western) so therefore I can't predict what you'd think.

I called him over-rated and BRM and dabvu have referred to him as the over-rated Tom Crean ever since.

[Heath]

Wow. I think the new intrigue is who gets the Marquette job.

Rick Majerus?

[Heath]

Originally Posted by Highlifeman21

Good hire by IU if it ends up being true.

Between Tom Crean and Thad Matta, the Big Ten might want to consider the extension of the coaches' box.

[flyer85]

Originally Posted by Heath

Wow. I think the new intrigue is who gets the Marquette job.

Rick Majerus?

Ricky already has had that one.

[gilpdawg]

Originally Posted by WilyMoROCKS

I called him over-rated and BRM and dabvu have referred to him as the over-rated Tom Crean ever since.

So THAT's where that came from. I guess I should have done more than skim all the hoop threads.

[George Anderson]

Originally Posted by gilpdawg

I'm happy with this.

It could have been worse.

What he said!!

[BRM]

I think this is a great hire. Especially given the current situation at Indiana. I hope His Overratedness can get Ebanks to come to IU.

[BRM]

Press conference is tomorrow at 10:00 am eastern, per the Herald-Times.

UPDATE (6:45): IU plans to announce the Crean hiring at a 10 a.m. press conference. The university may issue a press release on the announcement tonight.

The Associated Press has also confirmed the selection of Crean through IU trustee Ray Escew.

UPDATE (6:42): The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reached a Marquette player Tuesday afternoon who had just heard that Crean was leaving to become head coach at IU.

The player told Journal-Sentinel reporter Todd Rosiak that he’d just learned of the news. Another had no knowledge that Crean was apparently preparing to leave for Indiana.

“Not right away I don’t,” said the player when asked if he had a comment. “It’s real shocking.”

It’s believed Crean was scheduled to meet with his Golden Eagles players later Tuesday to explain his decision.

[WMR]

Wonder what IU is paying him? 1.5? 1.75?