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Tom Crean’s Job Is On The Line This Season

ByMichael Whitlow|
Mar 19, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Crean during practice before the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Crean during practice before the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

When Tom Crean was hired on as the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers towards the end of the 2007-08 college basketball season, his first assignment wasn’t bringing Indiana back to national prominence.

Tom Crean’s first job at Indiana was cleaning up the image of a once-great program. Indiana is one of five schools in the history of college basketball with five or more national championships. Only nine other schools have more victories all-time than the Hoosiers.

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But, after the Kelvin Sampson era in Bloomington, one of college basketball’s best programs was left in shambles. Five major allegations were brought to the light by the NCAA due to a phone-call scandal, while the best player for the Hoosiers at the time (current New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon) was prepping to head for the NBA.

Here’s the hole Crean was left in after being hired: Indiana’s two best recruits for Crean’s first season, Terrell “Tu” Holloway and Devin Ebanks, both wanted out of their letter of intent to attend school elsewhere, and IU’s starting five from the previous season were all gone.

Needless to say, Crean’s first year was a disaster, as the Hoosiers finished 6-25 (1-17 in the Big Ten). The 2009-10 season was much better for Crean, as the Hoosiers went 10-21 (4-14 in the Big Ten), but it was the first year Crean was really able to recruit. In that class were two of Crean’s mainstays of his tenure — Bloomington’s Jordan Hulls and eventual big-shot maker Christian Watford.

After a 16-46 start in Bloomington, things began to change for the better, as current Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo and Will Sheehey joined the fray in year three. Crean’s tenure rose to stardom in his fourth season, as the Hoosiers finished 27-9 and defeated the likes of Kentucky, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State, on their way to a Sweet 16 appearance, where they lost to eventual champion Kentucky in a rematch.

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But, since Indiana’s rise back to prominence in year four after back-to-back 27+ win seasons, the Hoosiers have stalled in the last two years. The Hoosiers missed the NCAA Tournament two seasons ago and were eliminated by Wichita State in the Round of 64 last season.

Not only have the Hoosiers sputtered in their task towards reaching their first Final Four since 2002, the dark cloud has re-covered the program. The Hoosiers had five departures from last season’s roster, including three transfers and two dismissals to Devin Davis and Hanner Mosquera-Perea.

More recently, Emmitt Holt (who also found himself in trouble last season) and prized five-star recruit Thomas Bryant were cited for illegal alcohol possession last week. The incident marked the 11th off-the-court issue for the Hoosiers in the last two years alone.

On Monday, Holt was dismissed from the Indiana program, making him the third dismissal since the month of May.

Crean addressed the media after Holt and Bryant’s citations, and obviously, was displeased and disappointed with the newest issues within the Indiana program.

"“We’ve got to get a team, guys that understand that they play for Indiana and not at Indiana,” Crean said. “Even some of our Indiana guys have got to understand that. Ultimately, I’m responsible, but our internal leadership has been less than poor for the last two years, and it’s got to get better.”(ESPN.com via The Associated Press)"

Crean’s comments after the situation took place further showed that Indiana has a ton of work to do on and off the court this season:

As if things could decline anymore for the Hoosiers, there’s even a website called TomCreanBuyout.com, which counts down the checkpoints of Crean’s contract buyout and when his contract ends at Indiana.

After everything Crean did to bring the program back to relevancy, the Indiana program is on a downward track to mediocrity again, and the rumblings for Tom Crean’s termination are getting louder.

It’s safe to say that with another down year this season, Tom Crean’s job could be in serious jeopardy. However, it’s not completely gloomy for the Hoosiers heading into 2015-16. Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell returned for his senior season, NBA prospect James Blackmon Jr. is back for at least one more season and if Thomas Bryant can stay out of further trouble, the Hoosiers can compete in the Big Ten Conference.

The Hoosiers will have plenty of opportunities to showcase that the program is still relevant this season. Not only does Indiana play against a fun Creighton offense in the early going, but they’re also one of the premier teams in November’s Maui Invitational. After their trip to Hawaii, the Hoosiers will play against the likes of Duke and Notre Dame before conference play begins on Dec. 30 against Rutgers.

Tom Crean has completed his two biggest assignments with flying colors since he was hired seven years ago. His newest assignment, however, may be the most pressure-packed; saving his job.

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