Hoosier State of Mind
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COLUMN: Already sold on Indiana’s new head coach Archie Miller

By Jordan Maly

Mar 5, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Dayton Flyers head coach Archie Miller reacts from the bench against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams in the first half at the University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Dayton Flyers head coach Archie Miller reacts from the bench against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams in the first half at the University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Monday afternoon Indiana introduces Archie Miller as their new head men’s basketball coach. Archie’s first press conference has fans already buying in.

I know, it’s just a press conference. The first press conference in the new era of Archie Miller at Indiana. I will be damned if I cannot at least be a bit excited for the direction of the program.

Indiana held an open press conference on Monday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall to introduce their new head coach. Archie Miller spent the better part of 45 minutes sharing his vision. He spent another 30 minutes or so answering questions from the media for the first time since the announcement.

“I don’t think you come to Indiana if you don’t want to live in the neighborhood,” Miller said referring to the expectations set at Indiana. Archie Miller understands the pressure that comes with being the head coach of Indiana basketball. He seems even more eager to prove his worth to the program. The more Archie Miller spoke, the more I felt like he approaches the Indiana job with a chip on his shoulder. “I have to work very hard to earn a lot of trust,” the more Miller spoke, the more I bought into his philosophy of the program moving forward.

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One of the more important parts of Archie’s introductory speech includes his three levels of success. Starting with the past – offering outreach to all players, coaches, managers and staff that have been a part of the success of Indiana. Miller believes in outreach and understands the voice that comes with representing Indiana’s historic program.

The second level of success comes with the present state of the program. The players and staff that represent Indiana right now. “I did not recruit you but you are mine” Miller reinforced to the players who sat just a few rows away from the podium. Archie Miller spoke about investing in the lives of the players and the people who are important to them.

The third and last level of success comes with the future of the program. Arguably one of the most important factors to Indiana fans, the recruitment process. Inside out is the way Archie Miller explains attacking the future of the program.

"Inside out. It’s how @Archie_Miller plans to recruit at @IndianaMBB.Let him explain. https://t.co/ariSfoOFpj— Indiana On BTN (@IndianaOnBTN) March 27, 2017"

One of the most pressing issues among fans has been the inability to recruit in the state of Indiana recently. Archie Miller understands the importance of recruiting Indiana. Miller explains one of the reasons for taking the job at Indiana was because of the future talent available inside the state. Starting within the state of Indiana and slowly expanding the footprint of Indiana basketball is the plan under Archie Miller.

Next: Could Archie Miller bring McKinley Wright to Indiana?

In just a matter of 90 minutes, Archie Miller has me completely bought in. You could choose from a variety of things Miller that might sell you on his vision for Indiana. I was most impressed by his response to reuniting a fractured fan base. He believes that uniting the fan base at Indiana starts with being productive on and off the court.

Needless to say, I’m ready for ‘Arch Madness’.

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