Indiana University fired basketball coach Archie Miller Monday after four seasons. The Hoosiers went 67-58 and did not make the NCAA Tournament under Miller. Indiana ended the season on a six-game losing streak to finish 12-15. The Hoosiers went 33-44 in the Big Ten and never finished higher than sixth in the conference. IU athletic director Scott Dolson said it was a tough day, but that in a results oriented business, a move needed to be made. Dolson said two anonymous donors committed to paying Miller’s 10 million dollar buyout and the cost to hire a new head coach.
Indiana State reportedly has its new basketball coach. The Sycamores are hiring Josh Schertz from Division II powerhouse Lincoln Memorial, according to an ESPN report. Schertz has been named national coach of the year four times in 13 seasons at the small school in Tennessee. He has led Lincoln Memorial to two Final Fours and a winning percentage of 83 percent, and an official announcement is expected later this week. Schertz will replace Greg Lansing, whose contract was not renewed after 11 seasons.
Purdue associate head coach Micah Shrewsberry has been hired as the next head basketball coach at Penn State. The Indianapolis native spent the last two seasons at Purdue in his second stint with the Boilermakers. Before that he spent six seasons as an assistant with the Boston Celtics under fellow Hoosier Brad Stevens. The 44-year-old also coached with Stevens at Butler from 2008 through 2011, including back-to-back national championship game appearances. The Boilermakers are a number four seed in the NCAA Tournament and will take on North Texas Friday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indiana’s women’s basketball team received a bid to the NCAA Tournament Monday night. The Hoosiers received a four seed and will play 13th seeded VCU next Monday afternoon in San Antonio, where the entire women’s “Big Dance” will be held. If IU wins its first round game, the Hoosiers will play either fifth-seeded Gonzaga or number 12 Belmont. Indiana is the only team from the state to receive a bid, as Notre Dame was one of the first four teams out of the 64 team event, ending a run of 24 straight appearances.
Are you ready for more Gronk? Rob Gronkowski is coming back to the Tampa Bay Bucs after signing a reported one-year 10-million dollar contract. The tight end will be back with Tom Brady looking to repeat as Super Bowl champs. He caught two touchdowns in the big game, helping the team crush the Kansas City Chiefs.
