Big Ten Basketball: Could ex-Indiana coach Tom Crean be considered for the Ohio State job?

Another program opening has jumped into an already busy college basketball offseason. Could Tom Crean receive interest in Ohio State’s newly vacant position?

It was announced on Monday morning that it was likely that Ohio State head coach Thad Matta would be entering his final season coaching. Monday afternoon Ohio State sent out a press release and scheduled a press conference that Thad Matta would no longer be the coach effective immediately.

Matta attributed the release from the program to a battle of various health issues including his back and foot. His health problems and recent struggles with Ohio State make sense why the program is headed in another direction. Athletic Director Gene Smith told reporters that there is no real timetable to name the next head coach.

This leaves the inevitable question of whether or not former Indiana head coach Tom Crean will receive interest. His recent appearance on Barstool Sports podcast ‘Pardon My Take’ he said that he was looking for the right opportunity at a winning program. Whether or not Ohio State is interested is way too early to tell. Crean also mentioned the possibility of working in television and media for the upcoming season.

Crean will join Yahoo Sports the Vertical’s Draft Night coverage on June 22nd.

Crean’s nine seasons at Indiana and the Big Ten Conference give him the experience Ohio State might be looking for. Perhaps the two Big Ten Regular Season Titles and four appearances in the NCAA Tournament could factor in. His recent success in building players from overlooked recruits into potential NBA players could also boost his resume. A familiarity with the Big Ten Conference could also play in Crean’s favor.

Another reason for Indiana to breathe a sigh of relief is landing Archie Miller 72 days prior to today. Many linked Miller for a long time to the Buckeyes program and being the predecessor to Thad Matta. It has plenty of people curious as to whether or not Archie Miller would have committed to Indiana had the Ohio State job been vacant.

The names you will likely see linked with the Ohio State job will be those Indiana was considering. Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin, Xavier’s Chris Mack, and Butler’s Chris Holtmann will be the obvious choices for now. It doesn’t quite count out Tom Crean who could very well be in the mix. Imagine that, Tom Crean the head coach of Ohio State and his brother-in-law Jim Harbaugh the head football coach at Michigan. The family rivalry will sure to intensify if that happens.

Perhaps former football coach Kevin Wilson, now the offensive coordinator with the Buckeyes, and Tom Crean have the last laugh from Columbus? Possibly.

Next: Tom Crean appears on 'Pardon My Take' podcast

For now, we should all be thankful that Indiana decided on coach Archie Miller before Gene Smith decided to part ways with Thad Matta. Quite the odd timing too, considering Miller has been known to envy the job in Columbus. Athletic Director Smith could have made this very move at the end of the season and landed the coach he sought. That dream now over and look toward the future of putting the Indiana program back in the historical powerhouse conversation.