Look for Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman to answer the telephone if contacted about the Hoosiers’ coaching vacancy. Indiana isn’t expected to contact coaching candidates to replace Sampson and interim coach Dan Dakich until after the Hoosiers finish post-season play in the NCAA tournament.
Wittman was a schoolboy star growing up in Indianapolis. He played four seasons at Indiana where he was named the 1983 Big Ten Co-Player of the Year. The Hoosiers won the 1981 national championship while he was there. In 1996 he was named to the school’s silver anniversary team.
Saying it’s “my alma mater,” Wittman told Sports Headliners on Tuesday that if contacted by Indiana representatives he would try to provide suggestions. He’s likely to listen to inquiries about his availability, too.
Wittman is a favorite of former Indiana coaching legend Bob Knight. The two speak on a regular basis and there’s no doubt that many Indiana boosters want to see an IU alum take over as coach. Wittman, who has been head coach here and several years ago with the Cleveland Cavs, has credentials that only a few Hoosier alums possess including Steve Alford at New Mexico, Mike Woodson with the Atlanta Hawks and Dakich who was an assistant to Sampson and Knight at IU, and also head coach at Bowling Green.
Meanwhile, Wittman will follow the CBS NCAA tournament selection show with interest on Sunday and not just to see where Indiana will be playing. Son Ryan Wittman has made a big impression in two seasons at Cornell. He was the Ivy League Rookie of the Year last season and now as a sophomore has made first team all conference. Cornell, Ivy League champs at a perfect 14-0 and 22-5 overall, will be in the NCAA tournament.
Ryan, who played at Eden Prairie and wasn’t highly recruited coming out of high school, might have more than a few major college coaches second guessing themselves now.