BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- It’s the end of an era – that’s how many fans feel about the firing of Indiana’s head coach Tom Crean on Thursday.
No matter how they felt about the man, fans say Crean made himself a part of Indiana basketball in the nine years he coached the team and his firing, though not unexpected, did catch them off-guard.
“It was a huge deal because it’s IU basketball,” said student Cody Good. “That’s what it’s all about.”
RELATED | IU coach Tom Crean fired after nine years
Crean had a rocky career with Indiana, but fans of the Hoosiers proved, even as the man who led their team was let go, their loyalty is strong.
“He’s been a great coach, and he’s been with us for nine seasons,” said IU student Chris Mathis. “He’s done a lot of great things, and he’s stuck with the program through some hard times.”
YOU REACT | Hoosiers share their feelings on Tom Crean firing
Other fans, like Carey Pitman, said they liked Crean as a person, but he wasn’t living up to the expectations of his position.
“I was ambivalent because I thought it was coming,” said Pitman. “This is a blue-chip program and Indiana has not been a blue-chip team. We’ve been ranked number one on occasion, but we can’t get out of the Sweet 16.”
And as expected, their biggest concern is what comes next.
“Hopefully they pick the right person. They’ll have some big shoes to fill,” said Mathis.
What the fans want most moving forward is someone who can bring their team more consistency, and of course, a few more titles.
“You always want to be contending for a championship,” said Good.
Indiana entered the season with three legitimate pro prospects. They were considered one of the Big Ten's preseason favorites and rose as high as No. 3 in November when they upset Kansas and North Carolina.
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But the downward spiral began after Nebraska broke their 26-game homecourt winning streak in December.
Fans believe Crean’s firing was the next step on that path; they just hope it was the right one.
“Long term it could be positive, but it depends on who we hire,” said IU student Matt Menke.
Once the news of Crean's firing spread, those on Twitter reacted in a big way:
Wow Tom Crean fired!?
— George A Ellingwood (@rigchurch) March 16, 2017
Tom Crean will have another job in no time.. that Indiana job is a tough one
— $tevo (@RalphJordan_) March 16, 2017
Tom crean was the worst thing to happen to Indiana university. He really is the worst coach in college history
— HBK (@The_realHugo) March 16, 2017
Tom Crean pic.twitter.com/RtfhIvt2ge
— J Hauschild (@jhauschild93) March 16, 2017
Tom Crean did a good job at IU but have to be great there. Certain places need to be in Final Four conversation at least every couple years
— Ryan Bringhurst (@bringhurstryan) March 16, 2017
Honestly I'm kinda mad that they got rid of Tom Crean
— Trevor Conner (@tconn1021) March 16, 2017
