I guess I have a good memory. I can still recall the moment I heard the news that MY Indiana Hoosiers, after the long Mike Davis years and tens of thousands of dollars paid to an expert hiring firm, were prepared to announce their new head coach. Mark Few? Rick Barnes? Randy Wittman? Kevin Stallings? John Calipari? KELVIN SAMPSON ?!?!?!?!?!?!? KELVIN SAMPSON ?!?!?!?!?!?!? Are you kidding me? Sure, he's been to the big dance, ALOT, but you could have had better. I mean, you don't order a hamburger at Ruth's Criss. BUT, it was a step in a better direction...not just a different direction, so I quickly made peace with the decision (although I'm still confused how someone gets paid to come to such a conclusion).
It wasn't long before Coach Sampson won me over. Were Bobby Knight's shoes finally filled? With an extra thick pair of socks on, yes, I believe they were. Sampson pulled no punches, expected the best out of his players, brought a tenacity to the sideline that had been all but non-existent since Knight's departure and most importantly, made me feel like the Hoosiers were given the best chance to win on any given night. Hoosier nation, you want Bobby Knight reincarnated? This is as close as it gets...on the court.
Some two years later, I sit on the eve of what is most likely his final game as head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers. In some ways, I feel more cheated by his (very likely) departure than I ever did Bob Knight's. I mean, who didn't see that train wreck coming down the tracks? I was fully prepared for the day the General packed his bags. As a fan, I had put all my trust in Kelvin Sampson and his staff. They had accpomplished what I had previously thought was impossible. I now watch IU basketball games expecting them to win or at least have a chance to do so. Will Sampson go? Probably. Should Sampson go? Yes. Do I like it? No.
Good luck Coach Sampson, I truly hope you get a win tomorrow night against Purdue...and thank you for making me realize that the game rolls on.