Hoosiers’ Coaching Search Ends With Crean: Marquette coach Tom Crean will leave Wisconsin to take over the much-maligned Indiana Hoosiers program. Crean has signed a letter of intent, and the university and Crean plan to finalize the deal and announce it Wednesday. In nine seasons with the Golden Eagles, Crean compiled a 190-96 record and a Final Four appearance in 2003 led by NBA star Dwyane Wade. He arrives in Bloomington amid a tumultuous season that ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Former coach Kelvin Sampson resigned in February following revelations that he and his staff committed recruiting violations after they had already been suspended for similar violations while at Oklahoma. Under interim coach Dan Dakich, the Hoosiers limped to the end of the season.
In one of Dakich’s last moves as coach, he announced today that Jamarcus Ellis and Armon Bassett have been dismissed from the team. With D.J. White and Lance Stemier graduating and freshman point guard Eric Gordon likely entering the NBA Draft, Crean might need to build an entirely new lineup at Indiana. But the Hoosiers will probably embrace a completely fresh start after the once-promising season ended in disappointment. [4/01/08]
