A week from now, we will officially cross the two-month mark of assistant coach Ed Schilling’s departure announcement. Despite being one coach short, the Hoosiers have been able to keep the program’s train moving. Unless you have been under a rock, you already know the commitments of the two top in-state players of the 2020 class: Trey Galloway and Anthony Leal. But there is a reason why coaching staffs get to have three assistants, in addition to the head coach.
A build-up of basketball backlog
There is a lot of work that needs to be done. Year-round recruiting activity for both the near-term and long-term of the program is a commitment that requires all hands on deck from college basketball programs. Indiana’s Assistant Athletic Director for Basketball Administration Bill Comar served as a scouting backfill for the last 50 days; however, he too has an entire set of responsibilities on his backlog including putting the finishing touches and releasing Indiana’s full 2019-2020 schedule, which could be released at any moment.
Here’s where we stand so far with Indiana’s schedule next season.
Speaking of schedule, the new hire has ownership of scouting opposing teams and getting an early idea of the road ahead. Of course the majority of the scouting takes place during the season once there are games available to watch, but there is always a benefit in doing your homework. Depending on the coaching lineage of the assistant, the Big Ten as a whole may be a completely new brand of basketball.
Like any freshmen, the new coach has his work cut out for him in the education department, specifically becoming learned on Indiana’s style of basketball. With the first practice theoretically possible as early as November 24, 2019 (that date is subject to the timing of Indiana’s first regular season game), the runway is short for the new assistant coach to fully understand Archie Miller’s basketball formula.
Even once that is done, the new assistant will need to figure out how they can incorporate their own coaching philosophy and improvisions into the sauce.
What we know so far about the situation
- It was announced the Ed Schilling would not return back to the Indiana Basketball program on June 26, 2019.
- Indiana has taken nearly two-months to find for the right candidate. The expectation is that Archie Miller is going to find the right person and he is not in a hurry to make a quick decision.
- Despite considered one of the most valuable assets for in-state recruiting, Ed Schilling’s departure has not caused any recruiting road bumps within the borders of Indiana.
- With the countdown ticking to the start of the season, the available time for the new assistant coach to make an early impact is slowly decreasing.
- Most likely, the assistant coach search will not drag on much longer, and an announcement can be made any time in the next week or so.
Featured Photo: IndianaHQ