Author Archives: Kent Sterling
Indana Basketball – Mike Woodson might be the perfect Plan B after Stevens declined 7 years, $70M
Mike Woodson might just wind up being the right coach at the right time in Bloomington – despite not being the first choice.
On his first swing, Indiana University athletic director Scott Dolson swung as hard as he could and missed an unhittable Brad Stevens breaking ball. Then, he choked up an inch, got the Mike Woodson batting practice cheese he was looking for, and got a rally going as he strung together multiple hits.
That’s the way life works in big time, big money college athletics. And just like baseball, a run is a run – whether the product of a 460-foot bomb onto State Road 46 or a double down the left field line followed by a couple of ropes up the middle.
The home run swing was reportedly a seven-year, $70 million offer Stevens declined to remain the coach of the Boston Celtics, a team with a flawed roster and scant chance to advance to the NBA Finals before GM Danny Ainge‘s patience finally runs thin. The double down the line was a six-year, $18 million deal with IU alum and former NBA coach Mike Woodson. The base hits were additional hires of three-time Big 10 coach of the year Thad Matta and IU alum and longtime Michigan State assistant Dane Fife.
Dolson swinging for the fences was laudable whether he connected or not. IU fans were tired of coaches hired for economic reasons, and a run at Stevens was overdue. That the strong back-up plan that was executed after Stevens said no shows the kind of direction athletic departments need. Plan B might be a better play than Plan A!
Stevens was always a long shot. Indiana is home for Brad. When he was a kid, visits to Assembly Hall with his dad for IU basketball games were common. Maybe those memories and a desire to be closer to home might compel him to yank his temporary root system out of Boston – America’s most provincial city – for the more friendly confines of his native Indiana. Maybe not. Worth some conversation at least.
The $10 million per year would have made Stevens the highest paid coach in college basketball, and Stevens has been the coach of the Celtics for almost eight seasons – a long time for a guy to never have led his team to the NBA Finals. I don’t know what the record for NBA coaching longevity without a trip to the Finals, but I’m sure Stevens is closing in on it.
If ever there was a time to give Stevens an excuse to come home, this was it.
When it didn’t get done, Dolson turned his attention to a pitch he could hit. Woodson was back in the NBA as an assistant for the Knicks, but was more than willing to accept 30% of the money offered to Stevens to professionally return to a college campus for the first time since 1980. Because of the massive savings, Woodson and IU were able to offer Matta and Fife the kind of cash that motivated them to invest their talents in restoring greatness (or at least competence) to Indiana Basketball.
While Stevens to Indiana would have been a great story, it would also have marked yet another beginning point for the re-plating of the basketball culture. Stevens may have been an Indiana fan, but never a part of a successful IU team. He would have brought “Brad Stevens basketball” to Bloomington, and while that would have been a solid improvement over Tom Crean or Archie Miller basketball, it would not have been Indiana Basketball.
With Woodson and Fife, there are two alums who were a part of Indiana’s successful past who also appear able and ready to forge toward a successful future. With Matta, Indiana hired a guy who was a consistent pain in its rear for the 13 years he spent running Ohio State’s program.
So far, so good for Indiana. Woodson has kept the majority of his roster intact, while losing Joey Brunk (Ohio State), Armaan Franklin (Virginia), and Al Durham (Providence). While saying goodbye a junior-to-be like Franklin is unfortunate, keeping Trayce Jackson-Davis, Khristian Lander, Parker Stewart, and Race Thompson sets up IU for a mostly seamless transition.
Anytime a critical hire is required two paths are needed – the dream candidate and the Plan B scenario. Dolson executed Plan B well enough that fans may be grateful one day that Dolson whiffed on the dream.
A double and a couple of base hits might end up being a lot more fun to cheer for than the home run Dolson tried valiantly to barrel up.
Indiana Basketball – Joey Brunk jumps to Ohio State! Brad was offered $70M? Colts re-sign CB Carrie!
Indianapolis Colts – Why not slide Q to LT? Why are IU fans bullish about Woodson? Why does everyone love Slick?
Indianapolis Colts likely to trade back to gather picks! IU Basketball to shoot better, says Hunter!
Indiana Basketball, Colts, Pacers, Purdue, and Butler – Who is hiring to fit and why will it work?
Indiana Basketball shuffles staff! Pacers win! Cubs can’t hit! Fixing baseball and basketball with two changes!
Indiana Basketball’s staff finalized as Woodson hires Yasir Rosemond as 3rd assistant; Roberts, Sander, Marshall retained #iubb
This comes from the Indiana University release announcing Yasir Rosemond‘s hire as the third and final assistant coach for Mike Woodson:
Indiana University men’s basketball coach Mike Woodson has announced that Yasir Rosemond, who brings 14 years of experience as a collegiate coach, has been named an assistant coach with the Hoosiers.
He spent two seasons at Alabama as a member of Avery Johnson’s staff and coached first round draft picks Collin Sexton who currently plays with the Cleveland Cavaliers after being selected with the 8th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and Kira Lewis Jr. who was the 13th pick in the 2020 draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. He also coached SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Herbert Jones in each of his first two seasons at Alabama and John Petty Jr. and Alex Reese in their first two seasons at Alabama.
“I’m excited to finalize our coaching staff with the addition of Yasir,” said Woodson. “He brings a great deal of experience at schools like Alabama, Georgia and Oregon and has been a big contributor to their success and worked with and recruited a number of young men who were able to develop and take their game to the next level.”
In addition, Woodson has announced that Benny Sander has been promoted to Director of Basketball Operations, Brian Walsh will be the new Team and Recruitment Coordinator and Mike Roberts will become the Assistant AD for Basketball Administration. Director of Athletic Performance Clif Marshall will also remain on staff. Marshall, Sander and Walsh will begin their fifth year at IU, while Roberts will enter his third season.
“These men all will play valuable roles in the success of the program and the more I have gotten to know them it becomes more evident that they have great passion for our young men and I can’t wait to continue to work with them on a daily basis,” noted Woodson.
Rosemond joined the Crimson Tide after spending three seasons at Georgia (2014-17). The Atlanta, Ga., native also held coaching positions at Oregon, helping the Ducks reach the 2007 Elite 8, Samford and Seattle University during his 13-year coaching career.
While at Oregon, Rosemond coached three future NBA draft picks, including All-American Aaron Brooks (26th overall pick in 2007 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets), Maarty Leunen (54th overall pick in 2008 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets) and Malik Hairston (48th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns).
Furthermore, Rosemond also coached former standout Tajuan Porter, who holds the University of Oregon and PAC-12 record for three-pointers made in a single-season (110) and for a career (345). Porter, the 2007 PAC-10 Tournament MVP, currently ranks eighth in school history for career field goals made (584) and ninth in career steals (103).
Prior to his three years at Georgia, Rosemond worked at Samford from 2012-14 under former IU assistant coach Bennie Seltzer, after spending the 2010-11 season as an assistant coach at Seattle University under head coach Cameron Dollar.
Rosemond, a graduate of the University of Oregon, made his mark on the collegiate basketball landscape during his five seasons (2005-10) at his alma mater under head coach Ernie Kent. The first two of those years he was Director of Basketball Operations, the latter three serving as an assistant coach.
While on the Ducks’ coaching staff, Rosemond helped assemble a top-25 recruiting class in 2008 and also coached Brooks, a 2007 All-American and 10-year NBA veteran currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Before joining the staff at Oregon, Rosemond coached as an assistant for two seasons at Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla., in 2003-04 and 2004-05. He helped the Cougars advance to the NJCAA championship game during 2004. In his two seasons at Redlands, Rosemond coached three junior college All-America performers – Taj Gray, Brandon Polk and Sylvester Mayes.
As a player, Rosemond was a standout guard at Douglass High School in Atlanta. Highlights of his prep career include earning All-State honors each of final three seasons. He helped lead the Astros to the semifinals of the 1993 Class 4A state tournament.
Rosemond then played at No. 1-ranked Okaloosa-Walton Junior College in Florida for one season during 1995-96 and also attended Butler (Kan.) Community College, where he redshirted during the 1996-97 campaign. While there, he was teammates with future NBA standout Stephen Jackson.
Rosemond moved on to Oregon for two seasons, where he played in 58 career games for the Ducks. He was honored as the recipient of the team’s John Warren Award in 1999, which is given to the most inspirational player on the Oregon basketball team.
Rosemond then enjoyed a four-season professional career in Brazil, playing for teams in Sao Paulo, Mogi das Cruzes and Hebraica while also working on his degree.
After he retired from professional basketball, Rosemond returned to Eugene and completed the final class (calculus) required to receive his bachelor’s in sociology from Oregon in 2003.
Indiana Basketball – Could Jalen Coleman-Lands play 7th CBB year for IU? Colts ‘miss’ on Clowney! Slick was the best of us!
Slick Leonard’s exemplary life has ended, but his impact will be felt in Indiana forever
Has there ever been a person who smiled more than Slick Leonard – or had more reason to?
Slick Leonard channeled his athleticism into the 1953 National Championship at Indiana University and a seven-year NBA career, his leadership into three ABA championships with the Indiana Pacers, his audacity into successful efforts to keep the Pacers in Indianapolis, his charisma and enthusiasm into a 35 year career as a broadcaster, and his love of people into thousands of friendships.
His very full life ended yesterday after 88 magnificently crafted years.
The impact of Slick Leonard on life in central Indiana cannot be overstated. When the Pacers were in dire financial straits, Slick and his incredible wife Nancy hosted a telethon in 1977 that kept the team solvent, which allowed it to stay in Indy. Without the Pacers staying, the Colts likely would never have moved to Indy. Without the Colts, the NCAA never comes. Without the Pacers and Colts flourishing Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium would never have been built.
Without the Pacers, Colts, and NCAA, hundreds of restaurants and hotels would never have opened, apartment buildings would never have been built, and downtown Indy would be empty, decrepit, and sad.
Those three entities have made possible Indy hosting the Super Bowl, many Final Fours, even more Big 10 Tournaments, NBA Finals, and an upcoming college football national championship and NBA All-Star Weekend . Without sports, Indy’s downtown would be a wasteland – as it was until critical mass was met here over the last 20 years.
The Pacers, Colts, and NCAA, along with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, are the pillars of Indy’s sports driven ecosystem, and they have helped elevate this city into one of the most livable in America. Without Slick and Nancy, three of those four would be helping another city thrive.
So that’s Slick’s (and Nancy’s) practical impact on Indianapolis, but as important as they have been to Indianapolis’s economic growth, Slick may have exceeded that impact through his kindness and generosity. There are very few people in Indianapolis without a story about Slick taking time to enjoy a conversation which made them feel special.
Slick was one of the most comfortable-in-his-skin people in the history of humanity. He did his best to squeeze the last drop of fun and compassion he could out of each day, and then slept well so he could do it again. He never took for granted the love strangers felt for him, and he made sure they never felt less important to him than he was to them.
As a broadcaster, Slick brought emotion, insight, and fun to radio calls of Pacers games. It is impossible to think of Reggie Miller‘s hall of fame worthy contributions to the Pacers without hearing Slick yell “Boom Baby!” That signature call wasn’t concocted during a brainstorm in some fancy conference room; it was an organic expression of joy that accompanied every three-pointer a Pacer made.
There are deaths that are mourned for coming too early, and lives celebrated for their triumphs. Slick’s passing manages to evoke both. Despite being 88, Slick was still schooling up fans about the Pacers last weekend with Eddie White on 107.5 the Fan. His kindness and friendship will be missed, but the effect his presence had on those who knew him – or simply met him – as well as the economy of his city will be felt forever.
All of us view the sum value of our lives differently. Some try to live with joy and generosity each day so others may enjoy life more. Some try to impact the economy so others might be provided for. Some throw all their resources into raising a family so their children can achieve their dreams. Still others measure their success through how often they and those around them laugh. Somehow, Slick managed to check all those boxes.
It’s traditional to lament the death of those we love or admire as a loss. That’s not necessary or even possible with Slick. Our memory of a truly great man will keep him with us – always. His life will tangibly affect Indianapolis – forever. His example will be there for us to try to live up to as long as we live.
That’s a hell of a legacy.
Slick Leonard may no longer walk among us, but he will ALWAYS be here.