As job openings flood the college basketball landscape, questions continue about whether a possible Tom Crean return will happen.
Tom Crean and the Possible Return to the Sidelines
As March Madness continues to roll on, open coaching jobs litter the horizon; you hear names like Crean. At 58, he isn’t a young pup by any stretch of the imagination. Yet, he doesn’t seem, by his outlook and his on-air energy, appear ready for a tee time at 9 a.m.
Coaching isn’t so much a profession, it’s a lifestyle that grabs young men, until they turn gray-headed and exhausted. Crean doesn’t cut the figure of someone that fits the description. Instead, he almost looks ready to hit the sidelines for the right job at the perfect school.
Before Darian DeVries accepted the job at Indiana, the thought of Crean returning to Indiana floated in the ether. On the Up and Adams television show, the former Hoosiers coach shot that notion down, stating:
“I think Indiana has probably made their decision on who their coach is going to be,” Crean said when asked about a potential Indiana return. “It’s not me. I wasn’t involved. That was a been-there, done-that. They didn’t call. That is not the cards for Indiana. We’re just going to look at that as a great, great memory.”
In other words, Crean doesn’t want the headache and pressure of dealing with a once-great program whose fanbase and alums tolerated Bobby Knight’s abuse, turning that around on every coach after him. Crean did say that coaching is in his near future.
The Redemption Arc
After 22 years, 403 wins, three conference championships, and a Final Four appearance, you’d think that would satisfy many coaches. Yet, Crean’s final stop at the University of Georgia does not look like the end he wanted for his career.
In Athens, the former coach managed just two seasons of a .500 or better record. However, Bulldogs failed to reach any postseason tournament. Now, to Chean’s credit, he recruited well, especially in and around Atlanta.
NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards played at UGA. So, the recruited strength did not translate into wins. Plus, UGA is not a basketball school. Football rules the roost in Athens. However, Crean’s firing still probably doesn’t sit well and probably serves as impetus for a return.
As a college basketball analyst, the former and probable future coach keeps his ear to the ground, maintaining relationships. He gets to analyze games, players, and the changing optics of the game and cash large checks without fear of technical fouls or firing.
However, in watching him, you can see the fire still burning within. The intensity of Crean discussing a game that he has no stake, but looks incredibly invested in, shines through. His current job allows for connection and a probable return to the bench. Maybe not the upcoming season, but in the near future, don’t be surprised when it happens.
Like the famous Antarctic explorer who shares his name, Crean will always look for the next frontier in coacher. His buyout-induced hiatus presents enough time for a recharge and pursuit. As he watches March Madness from afar, the seed of a return firmly plants within his mind.
Now, the matter of when and where — not if — becomes a pressing matter. Some underachieving teams in a major conference will struggle next season.
KEEP READING: Top 5 Potential Replacements for Darian DeVries
The ex-coach’s phone will ring, and if the circumstances and money align with his vision, Cream will drop the studio mic for the clipboard. Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma’s quote fits Crean’s mindset as he looks for his next job.
“Bottom line, you’re either a risk taker or you’re not. And if you don’t take risks, you’ll never win big.”
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