Top 5 Head Coaches in Indiana Men's Basketball History
![Bob Knight, Indiana Men's Basketball Bob Knight, Indiana Men's Basketball](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3688,h_2074,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/152/01hn0dwzdnt3rcee0dp2.jpg)
#4 = Tom Crean
YEARS COACHED: 2009-2017 (9 Seasons)
RECORD: 166-135 (55.1 Winning %)
NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES: 4
FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES: 0
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
RANKING RATIONALE: Crean came over from Marquette in 2008 to replace the infamous Dan Dakich. At the time of his hiring, this was a program in the midst of massive disarray. Things were not pretty at the beginning of Crean's time at IU, as the team accrued a cumulative record of 28-66 (29.8 Winning %) across his first 3 seasons. However, the highly animated head coach managed to completely turn the tides during the 2011-2012 season which included the infamous "Watford for the Win" shot heard around the world. He went on to coach the University of Georgia after being let go from Indiana, and was recently considered for the newly open Milwaukee Bucks head coaching position.
Crean also produced one of the more subtly hilarious moments in the history of Hoosier hoops during the famous clash with Kentucky in 2011. What do you think was going through his mind?
Tom Crean with one of the all time reactions here. Bro had a “I can’t believe I bet Kentucky ML” face. 😂😂😂 https://t.co/vM9Opwoe29
— Pypeline (@Pypeline_) December 11, 2023
#3 = Kelvin Sampson
YEARS COACHED: 2007-2008 (2 Seasons)
RECORD: 43-15 (74.1 Winning %)
NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES: 2
FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES: 0
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
RANKING RATIONALE: Sampson was hired as Mike Davis's replacement in the Spring of 2006 following an impressive tenure at the University of Oklahoma. Unfortunately, his time at Indiana was cut very short after he faced harsh penalties for NCAA violations in 2008. It was a shame to see him go, as he has been the man in charge of the sidelines at the University of Houston since 2014. The Cougars have been one of the nation's top teams over the last few seasons, and are currently ranked 4th in the country as of this writing.