The University of Indiana has hired a new head basketball coach to replace the recently terminated Tom Crean, as the Hoosiers tabbed Archie Miller for the role on Saturday afternoon. Miller held the same position at the University of Dayton for the previous six seasons.
The speculation about Crean’s replacement began soon as the Indiana fired him on March 16. Notwithstanding some of the usual internet plane tracking rumors, – this time about Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan– one candidate’s name was consistently prevalent amidst all the speculation: former IU legend and current UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford. But Alford and UCLA were still competing in the NCAA Tournament, so until the Bruins were eliminated by Kentucky in the Sweet 16 Friday Night, all we had were rumors.
On Friday afternoon, things started to ramp up as newly minted Fox Sports 1 personality Doug Gottlieb went on The Dan Patrick Show and boldly declared that Alford to Indiana was a “done deal.”
Doug Gottlieb says Steve Alford to Indiana is a done deal https://t.co/fl18vLxG3Z pic.twitter.com/5082hCvOH8
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 24, 2017
The Alford rumors were in full swing the rest of the day leading up to the UCLA/Kentucky game. Then, in classic twitter fashion, from the beginning of the game, to the time it started to appear that UCLA was likely to lose the game, up until after the game, the “Alford-to-Indiana” declarations flew in…
The answer Traci Wolfson just reported Alford gave her about the Indiana job sure sounds like a guy who's about to coach at Indiana.
— John Bedell (@JBedellWHIO) March 25, 2017
Have fun with Alford, Hoosier fans.
— Nick Coffey (@TheCardConnect) March 25, 2017
12:39 left until Steve Alford is the new Indiana coach.
— Steve Tannen (@SportsTalk953) March 25, 2017
Alford about to call timeout to announce he's taking the Indiana job
— Jason Squilliams (@JasonSquilliams) March 25, 2017
Alford to Indiana by midnight.
— Dave Zawilinski (@DavezONAIR) March 25, 2017
So I guess Steve Alford will be introduced as Indiana head coach on Monday? #marchmadness #elite8
— Nicholas Huba (@ACPressHuba) March 25, 2017
Does Alford accept the Indiana job right after the press conf tonight? Or just walks off the floor and signs the contract in the hallway?
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 25, 2017
So has Steve Alford left for Indiana yet before this Sweet Sixteen game is over?
— Carlos Illescas (@CarlosIllescas) March 25, 2017
And it's only appropriate for the Steve Alford tenure at IU to being with him taking a loss against Kentucky. #marchmadness
— Adam McLane (@mclanea) March 25, 2017
The next time Steve Alford makes it past the Sweet Sixteen will be his first. Good luck in Indiana.
— Carlos Illescas (@CarlosIllescas) March 25, 2017
Alford off to Indiana now in 3….2…1…
— Bob Vorwald (@BobVorwald) March 25, 2017
How soon does Alford get introduced at Indiana?
— Moose™ (@MarcMalusis) March 25, 2017
27.9 seconds until Steve Alford is head coach at Indiana
— Mike Waters (@MikeWatersSYR) March 25, 2017
I think Calipari just congratulated Alford on the Indiana job.
— Mark Anderson (@markanderson65) March 25, 2017
Fred Glass is now on the clock. When does the email get sent announcing a press conference? Steve Alford's season is over. #iubb
— John Dissauer (@johndissauer) March 25, 2017
So, how long before Alford-to-Indiana is announced?
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) March 25, 2017
Alford..he gone
— edward loar (@BigEinBigD) March 25, 2017
What time is the Alford – Indiana press conference?
— J.J. Buck (@_JJBuck) March 25, 2017
What time is the press conf. next week @ IU ?STEVE ALFORD will come home where he was Mr Basketball & led IU 2 title in 87! @GreggDoyelStar
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 25, 2017
So, when Alford bolts to Bloomington, does UCLA go after Shaka Smart? Marshall out of Wichita?
— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) March 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/_keithgarrett/status/845493934457606144
Steve Alford will look good in red https://t.co/yXy9Uvt0Ul
— Greg Lee (@CdAGregLee) March 25, 2017
The Alford-to-Indiana confidence ended up being short-lived. Just after the postgame press conferences, ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reported that Alford was “absolutely 100 percent not going to Indiana.” By early Saturday afternoon, Indiana announced it had hired Archie Miller, and another great Cold Take transcript was ready for the pickings.
