October 22, 2025 • 51 mins
00:00 – 23:03 – Roundball Rock, we are in one of the best parts of the sports calendar, Kam Jones issues an apology and discusses his arrest, ESPN Colts reporter Stephen Holder joins us to try and figure out this 6-1 start, should the Colts be buyers at the trade deadline, the lack of a pass rush, will they regret not making a move at the trade deadline if they stand pat, the high-powered offense
23:04 – 41:51 – IU Athletic Director Scott Dolson joins us to discuss getting the Curt Cignetti contract extension done, has this IU resurgence under Cignetti gone even better than he could have anticipated?, Fernando Mendoza, NIL in the Big Ten, the hiring of Dairan DeVries and the expectations for the basketball program
41:52 – 51:32 - Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde joins us to discuss Curt Cignetti’s extension following the James Franklin firing, Fernando Mendoza’s season to this point, neutral site games vs. home playoff games
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to the Best of the Fan morning show
on ninety three five and one oh seven five the Fan.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Pacers getting ready to start back up. The cults are
doing well, you was doing well. We got perdue basketball.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
I know, I saw like a broken record, but I
couldn't help thinking last night Mark watching the NBA return
to NBC and Round Ball Rock and Michael Jordan saying
he didn't pick up a basketball anymore, and I'm curious
what his contributions are going to be this year. Like
it just feels like all is right in the sports
world at this moment in time.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
So far, so good, so good back turn back the
clock with Round Ball Rock last.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Night, Man, I was digging that. I'm I'm not gonna lie,
uh But yeah, NBA season is already here. We had
a couple of games last night. Pacers get going again
tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to that. And it's obviously
this is I think one of the best times of
the year. Everybody always talks about spring and the Masters
is fantastic, It's coming off the Final Four. That's a
great time of year, no question.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
But you get me.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Regular season basketball, the middle of the football season, fall
classic is about to start. This is not a bad
time for sports. And you look at the overtime win
last night. There was a hockey game I was watching
last night with Tampa and the Bruins that got decided
very late. Like, if you can't enjoy the drama and
(01:13):
the ups and the downs and the excitement of sports,
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I can't help you. I don't know what to tell you.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
People who don't love sports, I don't know them. That's
probably the best way I could put it. I don't
want to know them. Maybe it's too harsh for a
statement there, but yes, it's a great time nightly appointment television.
We're starting to get more into that aspect of the
sports calendar again. Pacer start one of eighty two coming
up tomorrow night inside of game Bridgefield. That sounds like
there will be a little bit I know Rick kind
(01:41):
of shared this with us if you missed Rick Carlisle
that's up on the podcast from yesterday. It sounds like
they'll be a little bit of a banner reveal. I
don't expect like a long drawn out ceremony by any means,
but at least some sort of unveiling tomorrow night.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Before the tip.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Yeah, you're talking about the ups and downs, like I
don't remember, and I've been fortunate enough to be a
part of some really cool moments and celebrations of the
years in sports. But that win to clinch the Eastern
Conference last year, and James, you were around walking back
through downtown from the field House just over here at
(02:18):
the studio, and the streets were alive and people were happy,
and they were high five and and horns were honking
and everybody was toasting one another out in the streets
in front of the bars and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Like that's what sports can do for an entire city.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Right there, James, and I love that about sports absolutely,
And I guess you know your goal is to hopefully
get an opportunity to experience that again.
Speaker 6 (02:41):
I don't think it'll be this year considering the injury
to Tarre's Halliburton, but that is the goal that he
laid out, and honestly emotionally he laid it out in
that Netflix Starting five documentary.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
So looking forward to the.
Speaker 6 (02:54):
Unique version of the Pacers that I put it out
there and what they can do this season as well.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
You said you.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Had to spend the day for the athletic kind of
following the Cam Jones stuff yesterday, what did you find out?
Speaker 2 (03:07):
What were you able to discover that?
Speaker 6 (03:08):
Yeah, I know, originally it was labeled as like I
want to say, it was a couple different analysts that
did this, like he took the police like a chase.
But after you read the probable cause affidavit, like not
to make excuses for the guy because the police officer
said he, you know, allegedly clocked him allegedly going about
ninety and fifty.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
So I'm like, I can't really absolve you of that.
That's absurd.
Speaker 6 (03:32):
But cam Jones apparently told the police I didn't know
I was being pulled over. So if you keep that
in mind, and it sounds like he didn't like take
him like on some wild goose chase. He just took
him off the expressway and you know, pulled over or
whatever the case may be. But it doesn't sound like
just to clear this up like that, he was like,
oh my god, the police are behind me. I'm gonna
step on the gas. Like it didn't seem like it
(03:54):
was that. So I don't know what that mean for
like the charges in the case, but from the reaction
that he had when he spoke at practice yesterday. Kevin,
you were there, you carobably speak more to that and
then a reaction that Rick Carlo had had on these airwaves.
It sounds like they're not too worried about, you know,
what happened, but still not an overall I guess a
good thing to have on the resume as a rookie
(04:16):
who hasn't played an NBA game yet.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
Yeah, I think that's probably a good way to put it.
James as the Pacers probably would sum it up as
an overreaction. Yeah, I think is how Rick Carlisle shared
that with us. He kind of backed that up over
at practice.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
Cam Jones stayed an apology yesterday prior to the start
of practice. So uh, I think, you know, in trying
to whatever move on from this, that's probably the best
way to handle it. And Cam Jones from a health
standpoint on the floor, he has been hurt back injury.
I believe I wasn't supposed to play for the next
couple of weeks anyways.
Speaker 6 (04:47):
Yeah, I think Carlo said he'll get evaluated again November ninth.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
Yeah, kind of the TJ McConnell timeline here. One thing
to go back to when you guys are touching on,
you know, Halliburton and kind of whatever life without him.
I'll go back to remember Alex Golden said this when
we had him on at some point here in the
off season of you know, how are the Pacers going
to play Halliburton basketball without Halliburton?
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Great question, honestly.
Speaker 5 (05:11):
Like you can play I think with pace without him,
Like I think there will be an inherent effort to
try and continue to run like that. To me, I
think has been pretty much kind of branded into these Pacers.
But when you run, it oftentimes can bring some risk,
and the risk being turnovers, the risk being not handling
(05:32):
the basketball to the level that you know, maybe more
of a controlled pace you're able to do. And one
of the many I would say, arguably Halliburton's greatest gift
is to be such a my just a maestro of
it all and throw passes and get guys involved and
assist after assist and get guys open shots. And then
you add it up at the end of forty eight
(05:52):
minutes and you're like, he had one turnover? How Like
you watch NBA games every night and all these dudes
turn the ball over, all of them, even the great ones.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
That's his superpower, honor.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
So that would be my question, like Andrew Nemhard running,
Benedict Mathen running, Aaron E. Smith running, Yeah, I can
see all of that playing out, but running efficiently, running
without the bad I guess aspect to it, that is
something that Halliburn does so so well and obviously right now,
from a point guard standpoint, Rick said of yesterday, you know,
(06:26):
the backup point guard tomorrow night could be a guy
that's never played point guard in an NBA game. Like,
that's just the reality of where they're at. From a
depth chart standpoint, if that's Jaris Walker as a point forward,
if that's Taylor Peter in his first ever NBA game,
you know whatever that looks like for them. So I
think got something that'll be a huge topic.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
And to your point to drill down on a little
bit deeper too, there are point guards and then there
are point guards. We got so used to, Like God's right, yeah,
point a WD, we got so used to the to
the numbers last year, James, it seemed like every night
it was twelve assists, one turnover, fourteen assists, zero turnovers,
thirteen assists one turnover, fifteen assists, turtunarovers. I mean, the
(07:06):
ratio was just absurd for the second half of that
season last year.
Speaker 6 (07:11):
Yeah, and that's why I think again love the confidence
from Pacers fans, and they should be confident in this
group just because of the resilience they've shown no matter
what kind of thrown it in the last couple of years.
But when you lose an all NBA caliber player, a
top fifteen player in the world, that is hard to overcome.
And I think it's even harder to overcome when that
(07:33):
player is your system. So we'll see how they're able
to adapt that system. I know Rire Carlisle talked at
length about this yesterday and even brought up his love
of music and how music can be shifted and composed
in different ways. Or we're gonna see the musical chairs
when it comes to the Pacers this year and how
they look without Hallibert.
Speaker 5 (07:53):
And I don't overreact to a four game preseason sample size,
but they did turn the ball over at a very
alarming rate in the preseason. Now, I understand that you
obviously are mixing matching lineups, and you know you're not
playing your starters, you know, into the second halves of
really many, if any of those games. So that is
something that definitely deserves be watching. But yeah, point guard
(08:14):
rotation or i should say point guard depth and center rotation.
How much OBI topping with that starting unit? Is that
your You know, if they get into a two possession
game of five minutes to go tomorrow night with the Thunder,
is it OBI topping with that group?
Speaker 7 (08:26):
Now?
Speaker 5 (08:26):
Look at how the Thunder started last night, Hartenstein and
Cheat Holmgren in the starting lineup, that obviously is, you know,
a pretty big starting lineup.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
How do you counter with that?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
It's gonna be interesting to watch.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
In the meantime, we turn our attention here on the
Fan Morning Show to the Paylist Liquers hotline where the
one the only early today and we are here for
it and love it and thank him for that. Steven
Holder ESPN covers the Colts. Good morning, my friend. How
you doing today?
Speaker 8 (08:52):
Doing well?
Speaker 9 (08:53):
How we're doing?
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Things are good? We appreciate you being here a little
bit earlier than normal. I'm just curious. I've only been
here for thirteen years, You've been here for a while,
You've been covering this team.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
For a while. What's going on?
Speaker 1 (09:03):
With the culture right now, and how do you explain
this six and one start last night or are this
year when given the fact that that we all thought
that the Colts would be doing well to try and
get to five hundred this year.
Speaker 9 (09:17):
They excuse me, they are playing with I know this
sounded like a simple, simplistic answer, but they're playing with
like a rare confidence right now. I think it was
as Moley Cox had said to me the other day,
he said, you know, we we feel like we're going
to score forty every game, and he was serious, you know,
(09:40):
and now again you have to have talent to do that,
but they don't have a significantly difference in talent from
previous years. I think there's something about this team, and
certainly Daniel Jones is part of it, but it's not
the only thing.
Speaker 8 (09:56):
They have.
Speaker 9 (09:56):
Just they have unlocked something where they really have tapped
into what they're doing. Schematically, yes, but but what they
are doing has unlocked this this level of confidence and
they have the swagger that I've never seen from them,
at least not in not in the in the recent past.
So it is really interesting to watch. That's the best
(10:19):
I can give you.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
It really is remarkable holders.
Speaker 6 (10:23):
Should the Colts be buyers at the trade deadline?
Speaker 9 (10:29):
Yeah, I mean yes in theory. I think my answer
to this has I don't know what's going on me
this morning, sorry, but I think my answer to this
has been largely that the rules, the usual rules should
be broken this year, you know, in terms of what
they might typically do. In other words, you know, Chris
(10:51):
Baalader has ten ten has tended to be pretty conservative
at the trade deadline. If anything, you know, he might
trade away as opposed to trading for. I think this
year is different because I think they really have a chance.
I mean, they have the best record in the NFL.
We'll see if that holds a long way to go
and the schedule gets harder, but I mean they're in
(11:12):
position to do something big that he's never had a
chance to do for sure. So I think the rules
that he typically has to be broken this year. However,
buyers for what? It depends on what's available, And I
don't know that the availability is what people want, you know,
I mean, will what's available to them solve their problems
(11:36):
that I don't know. You know, you look at Trey Hendrickson,
you think the Bengals are trading that guy now they
think Joe Flacco is going to get them somewhere. I mean,
they may be wrong, but we'll see. I'm skeptical. But
they had a big win the other night and they
feel like they got a shot, right. So I don't
see that happening, you know, just things like that. I
(11:59):
think that's going to be the question. Who's available and
what's it going to cost? Does it make sense even
in light of of what they have a chance to
do this year? And that's what's the tougher part of
the question.
Speaker 6 (12:12):
So to follow off to that holder, and again I
see where you're coming from. But I guess my deeper
question is when you look at this pass rush or
even the secondary, do you feel like can you sleep
at night if six weeks from now you didn't take
that swing on even just a serviceable veteran, someone you
know can help you or upgrade at least give you
(12:33):
a little boost in those areas. I mean, I don't know,
linebackers another group that probably needs some help, but just
one of those. Because in my mind, I just don't
see how this pass rush, in particular, at least in
my mind, how it gets better Because I haven't seen
enough from that group, unfortunately, even though they've been invested
in a lot considering where these guys have been drafted.
Speaker 9 (12:54):
Yeah, I mean, I don't think their defense is a
championship level defense right now. A lot of that is
because of injuries. I mean, I think if the I
think if the secondary was at full strength, you might
see more from the pass rush. That's the one thing
I think we have glossed over a little bit is that, yes,
they're not winning enough upfront. I'm not going to pretend
(13:17):
that they are. However, quarterbacks will have to hold the
ball more if you have tighter coverage, and let's just
be honest. I mean I might as well be playing
corner at this point, right. I Mean, it's tough right now,
right and I think the injuries are what they are,
and I gotta give I'm giving Chris Ballad some grace
on that because he did address the secondary, and he
(13:40):
did right, and we all know that everybody agrees. But
the NFL is brutal, and this is just one of
those years, man, where you know, injuries come in bunches,
and the secondary is one of those spots where you
tend to have these things happen, those soft tissue injuries,
lower body injuries, et cetera, and they just have gotten overwhelmed.
So I guess, well, I'm saying, is I agree with you? Yes,
(14:03):
I don't think this defense the way it's playing right now,
I don't think you can win the Super Bowl like that.
I mean, right, we might as well be talking about
it in those terms.
Speaker 8 (14:13):
Right.
Speaker 9 (14:13):
You get the best record in the NFL, so we
might as well raise the bar pretty damn high. And
I think I know that's what they're thinking, so we
might as well. So I agree with you. I think
they have to figure out how they can, you know,
muster something on defense to really get to a championship level,
because I don't know that this defense.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Is ESPN dot com, where you can find the work
of Steven Holder. He's with us here on the Payloss
Slickers hotline. Steven, I hate to, you know, ask your
brain to go back six years, but I guess I will.
You know, we haven't had too many of these starts
in the Chris Ballen era, of course, getting off to
you know, six and one, and you know, being at
this position as the month of October starts to come
(14:53):
to a close but in twenty nineteen they did get
off to a five and two start. It's a topic
I wanted to get into a little bit later today
but haven't really had the chance to expand on it.
But when you think back to twenty nineteen, obviously you
had the luck retirement that shocked everybody you know. Just
weeks before the start of the season, Jacoby Brissett gets
thrust into starter duty and there they are starting five
(15:15):
and two. Do you see any similarities to that season
at all? Differences? How do you kind of view the
two best starts in the Ballad era.
Speaker 9 (15:26):
Yeah, I've thought about that. I think this is different,
and the reason for it is. First off, that team
was not blowing people out the way this team is, right,
They were not overwhelming opponents. They were playing well, and
I think they get credit for that. Obviously they didn't
sustain it. But this team is playing so far and
(15:48):
away better than their opponents. And granted I do subscribe
to the idea that the schedule hasn't been that tough.
I think that is a fair thing to at least discuss.
I don't think it matters though, because look at how
they're beating people. That's my thing. I mean, even the Chargers,
who are not an easy opponent so to speak. I mean,
(16:09):
they were leading that game at two points by two
different junctures, by twenty one points, right, So I don't
recall the margin of victory or all that in twenty nineteen,
but that team did not look like this team, you know,
they just didn't. And I don't think there's been a
win other than the Denver game where you looked at
them and said, you know, I don't know if they're
(16:31):
going to pull this one out. I mean, they have
been in control of every game. It's crazy just about.
So that's the difference. And then frankly, just offensively and
the quarterback play is different for sure, And just offensively
the level of offense they're playing at, which I think
looks sustainable, that is different for sure. So but that
(16:55):
twenty nineteen season does reinforce how difficult it is to
carry it through. It's tough, and it will get tougher,
all right. And don't fall off if you're a fan
if they lose a couple you know, in the next
six weeks and say, ah, I knew it, No, it's
gonna happen. It is what it is. That's the NFL.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
So just fyi, Stephenholder ESPN dot com joining us here
on the Fan Morning show. In the Payliss Slickers hotline,
you talk about that offense and I'm thinking back and
maybe one or two of the years with Andrew Luck,
certainly with Peyton Manning. When you're sitting there in the
press box and you're watching this team, do you kind
of get the feeling that every possession you feel pretty
(17:36):
good about getting points out of it at this point
in time, like, when was the last time we felt
that way?
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 9 (17:42):
I mean, I think the execution is just spectacular. And
that's a boring word for people, but it's the most
important word. You know. Execution is how you avoid third
and fourteen, right, because third and fourteen's don't happen in
the NFL. They actually have converted some ridiculous curtain lungs
(18:02):
this year, to be clear, but generally speaking, you know,
you get those certain lungs you're punting. That's just you're
giving the defense all the cards. Okay, they have been
executing on first down and second down, and so sometimes
they don't even get to third down, and when they do,
it's third and manageable. You get shame stiching in third
(18:25):
and three, Well you might as well just give it
to him, because he's gonna have something. He's gonna be
able to dial something up. And so that is I
think then the perfect storm. When you execute early, you
stay out of those thirdain lungs. They are sustaining drives.
Most drives, and disappointingly because somebody gets a penalty or
(18:48):
somebody makes a drop or whatever. Right, that's how most
drives end. Well, they're not doing those things. They generally
are not doing those things, and so their drives are
being sustained and they're scoring more points than everybody else,
which is pretty fundamental right to winning. It's simplistic, but
that's what you're seeing when you execute. This is what
(19:08):
you get. Most teams can execute at this level. I
think it's a it's a credit to the coaching. We
got to give them credit. I mean, they are doing
something pretty remarkable right now.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Steven, thanks as always for stopping by. Thanks for doing
it a little bit early today. We appreciate that, and
we'll talk to you again later this week.
Speaker 9 (19:25):
All right, guys, see you so.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
Stephenholder ESPN dot Com joining us on the payless liockkers
hotline talking about the Indianapolis Colts, and I know, James,
you've been on the beat for a couple of years now,
but how crazy is it to sit in that press
box and every time they get the football like, okay,
here we go, let's see how they get it done
this time?
Speaker 6 (19:41):
Yeah, pretty much excting to go down there and score
a touchdown, not just score points. I feel like this
offense and one offense in the league, you have to
give them that respect. At this point, I'm always thinking
to myself, Okay, how long do you wait in the
season to.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
Accept whatever trends you're seeing?
Speaker 6 (19:56):
And I think when you get through seven weeks, you know,
then in one offense in the NFL, you can if
we say, we have a great offense.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
And one of.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
The quotes that I use in my story for a
Sunday's game recap that really stands out to me was
Molly Cox saying that he told rookie Tyler Warren after
Week one, hey, it's not always like this, and then
he's like, hey, rook it's kind of hard to get
him to believe that when we do this every week.
Even I have had changed my perspective a bit so Yeah,
(20:23):
to go out there and basically think they're gonna score
forty points every game. That's a testament to one the
play calling from Shane, but also the talent they have
on this roster. And it starts I think, or it's
been amplified by having not just a steady quarterback, because
Daniel Jones hardly been steady. He's been elite, I would say,
through the first seven weeks of the season. And you know,
if you people put him on the list of top
(20:44):
five quarterback, I think you have to kind of give
him that respect.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
Shout out to a listener, Brandt his son turning four today,
Gabriel Massive Colts, Pacers and Notre Dame fan boy. Can
I get behind that? He's all about the bascots blue
bloom Boomer of course some said Bloomer, Indie leper Kahn
and Rowdy mark your favorite mascot blue Boomer to the
Notre Dame leprekhn or Rowdy?
Speaker 4 (21:10):
Uh have you ever.
Speaker 5 (21:12):
Touched Rowdy's nose?
Speaker 2 (21:13):
I have not.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
The girls have, though, beyond I have squeaks. Now, Yeah, yeah,
I'd say they would vote rowdy. They would say Rowdy.
They've seen him the most. But they like some boomer,
They like some blue and all that. They like the
uh the kazoos or whatever that kazoos, whatever the hell
the things come out the party favors that come out
of blues Nose.
Speaker 4 (21:31):
They like that a lot.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
Yeah, a little different than the cold the max bones
been fighting for the last month.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Freddy Fever run around.
Speaker 5 (21:38):
Going back to Stephen Holder of that twenty nineteen Colts,
I would agree wholeheartedly. This is much different. It was
Survive in advance almost twenty nineteen. Jacoby Brissette was playing.
I just called Jacoby Brissette football. You had the weird
like adamanitary, like what's left and where is he at?
From a health standpoint? I mean, they were winning. They
were the cardiac cults. They were winning one score games
(22:01):
like none other. And you know, really Jacoby got hurt
against the Steelers when Cameron Hayward kind of took Quentin
Nelson back into him, and that led to Brian Hoyer
finishing that game and then starting the next week lost loss,
and then it just kind of unraveled once Jacoby got
back in the lineup. I want to say they lost
five of their last six. I don't envision now. Of
course that quarterback injury did impact some things. I don't
(22:24):
envision that. Like if you told me right now, like
how is the Colts offense going to be stopped soon?
Speaker 9 (22:29):
I don't.
Speaker 5 (22:30):
I don't think there was an easy answer. Their balance
is unbelievable right now. I mean, I guess the NFL
always humbles you, and you know, health could derail, But
right now, it's just hard to argue a healthy Colts
offense all of a sudden falling off a cliff given
the nature Like Moley Cox is on that team, James,
and you know he's saying, you know, hey, we're blowing
teams out. Now, that's different than what we did in
(22:52):
twenty nineteen.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
Absolutely coming up.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
At a moment, the man in charge of IU Athletics
stops by, Scott Dolson, will spend some time with us
here on the Face Morning Show. It's a Wednesday morning
at ninety three five and one oh seven five.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Good morning.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
As the sun comes up, we see the rise of
Indiana football at the same time, and they are sitting
there at number two in both the AP and Coaches
poll in college football, and they've got UCLA and another
home game coming up. This weekend, and all things seem
to be pointing up the arrows going in the right direction.
We bring in our next guest to tell us a
little bit more about how this is all happening and
how it's being built. Scott Dolson is the athletic director
(23:27):
over at Indiana University, and he is on the Paylesslikers
hotline this morning.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Good morning, Scott.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
It's got to be fun to wake up with with
just the who's your mentality these days?
Speaker 8 (23:38):
Hey, good morning, and yeah, it's definitely been super exciting
and can't wait to get back on the field this
Saturday and keep it rolling.
Speaker 5 (23:46):
Scott, I was hoping and appreciate the time. I hoping
you can take us back a couple weeks ago to
you walking into Kurtzignetti's office and saying, you know what
I feel like, now is the time for a contract extension.
How much of that did you view? The win over Oregon?
How much of it did you view? There are some
openings around college football if you don't mind, could you
walk us through that?
Speaker 8 (24:07):
Sure, it really was a you know, kind of a
comprehensive look at our program and all that with day
and then it obviously we gave him a contract extension
last year, but give him the start this year. Kind
of where we are where a college football landscape is.
We really wanted him to feel commitment to him, but
also a commitment to football. And you know, basically that
(24:29):
was our conversation. And one of the things that was
super important to us as well, is that we didn't
want him to feel that just because he signed a
new deal last year. You know, we know he and
his wife Minette love it here, the family loves it.
We didn't want him to feel we take him for
granted because what he's doing here is really really special
and we feel like we're just getting started. So all
those things were important to us, and and I know
(24:52):
he appreciated it, and it was a great process, just
like it was last year, and feel really really confident
and tinue to build what we're building.
Speaker 5 (25:01):
You've described him as a unicorn. Could you kind of
expand on that word.
Speaker 8 (25:08):
Yeah, and only what I meant by that is he's
just obviously he's very unique. You know, when we had
the hiring process, we put together a list of all
the qualities and a head coach that we felt would
put us in the best position to have consistent success
with that program. Things like we wanted an existing head coach,
someone who had won consistently. We wanted someone had staff continuity,
(25:32):
real consistency of staff, where someone was a quarterback kind
of offensive guru. We wanted someone been a recruiting coordinator.
So all those things are reporting and coach seek checked
every box. But in addition to that, why I think
he's so special is the first time I talked to him,
he just has this unique personality, this unique drive focus
(25:54):
that when you combine that with all of his skill set,
he is just a what we felt was a perfect
fit for us. But also you know, we wouldn't trade
him for anybody. He just really I think, highly highly
skilled head coach and understands the business of college football.
He just checks every box and just as you could tell,
(26:17):
we absolutely are thrilled that he's a part of OU
family and going to be for a long long time.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
Scott James Boyd here, I'm an Illinois alum, so I
am convinced that IU football is back, baby, because I
saw the fifty three point ft down for a few
weeks ago.
Speaker 4 (26:32):
But yeah, I was wearing candy striped pants because of
that loss, so I got you know, I had to,
I had to eat some crow there.
Speaker 6 (26:38):
But when you look at you know what this program
is able to do the last two years under coach Signetti,
just two losses, and those two losses were are two
teams competed for national championship last year?
Speaker 4 (26:49):
Has this gone better than even you might have expected?
Speaker 8 (26:53):
You know, first of all, James Illinois is a great
program as well, and have a ton of respect for
ad Josh Whitman and certainly coach Beliema and things that
they're doing there. We studied Illinois when we when we
hired coach sig we looked at programs that we felt
we could compare to, you know, programs around the country.
So we have a lot of respect for Illinois. But
(27:13):
but yeah, we really this has happened. Probably you dream
about stuff like this. There's no way I would lose
all credibility if I tell you that. I imagine that
we'd be eighteen to two in our first twenty games.
You know, I thought we would you know, continue to improve,
and I thought that we had a chance to be
to be good last year. But now this has been
you know, above and beyond all expectations. Ultimately, this is
(27:37):
where we wanted to get to tool we're competing nationally
at a high level. But like I said, if I
have told you, you know, the day of the press
conference and the day we hired Coach Sigg, that we'd
be eighteen to two, like I said, you wouldroll your
eyes and there's no way you could think that. So yeah,
but with Coach Sig and just how he works his plan,
his blueprint, the way he is, you know it really
(27:57):
and again this isn't a company line. This sounds like
it it is, but I'll be honest with you, James,
we feel like you know, it's really a one day
at a time focus on on the plan. That's where
we are in the department. That's way coached Sig works.
That's where I grew up under Coach Knight, honestly working
as a manager for him. And you know, we don't think,
with the smartest people in the room, that we've got
all us figured out. We think we just got a plan.
(28:19):
We have to really work that plan, adjust, adapt, continue
to try to improve what we can. And you know
our opponent is now UCLA and that game plan and
we just got to stick to that.
Speaker 6 (28:31):
So you talk about adjusting and adapting, and you look
at the Lancaale COLLG football. These days, you constantly have
to retoll your roster and one of the best ways
to do that is to transfer a portal. And you
look at last year's roster, which was a great team,
and this year's team with the addition of Fernando Mendoza.
What has it been like getting him acclimated to the
IU program. What do you think he's brought to the
most importantsition in the sport.
Speaker 8 (28:53):
Yeah, Fernando has been amazing, first of all off the field,
and you could probably tell in his interviews he's one
of the more Uh just I love him. We've had Yeah,
we've had some you know, we have great kids, but
we've never had any anyone any better than Fernande. He's
just a wonderful young man. And I sound old when
I say that. He just I really enjoyed my lunch
(29:16):
with he and al Berdo late in the summer and
it was just it's amazing, like their old friends. I mean,
he's just great people, great family. So he's been he's
adjusted really well. But in addition to that on the field,
just to fit with coach Sigg the way Coach Sig
develops quarterbacks. You know, back to when we hired Coach Sig,
that was a really big important part of the process,
(29:37):
so that that position, as you said, it's such a
key position, and you know, his development here I think
speaks volumes for our program and also speaks volumes for
the work that he puts in. You know, every day.
I've heard Coach Sigg say that's publicly multiple times that
he's never been around someone who works at it is
hard or or no one's ever worked any harder than
(29:58):
he has. And he continues to extra time. I know
this summer in June, in July, Fernando and Alberta would
come into the office in the afternoons and watch film
and continue to just work on the mental side of
being a quarterback. And those things pay dividends. So we're
thrilled to have him here, thrill to that Alberto here
as well, and look forward to the future and just
(30:20):
watching him develop, it's been awesome.
Speaker 1 (30:22):
He's the athletic director at Indiana University and the architect
of helping to build this athletic program into what we're
seeing right now. And we'll talk about the new basketball
coach in a second. But in this day and age
of big money and on everything else that goes on,
I feel that India's positioned well to compete in that environment,
being in the Big ten, some terrific alumni and boosters
(30:46):
things like that. How would you describe the position that
IU is in to compete moving forward with the biggest
programs in the country.
Speaker 8 (30:55):
You know, it's a it's a it's a it's a
daily work in progress and a commitment. And I agree
with you in terms of you know, I think you know,
you hear this word alignment a lot, and I think
we're positioned. You know, I could go back to when
Praig Glass was AD and I was deputy a d
and he did so much work on our facility end,
and that helps kind of lead us into this new
transformational time in college athletics. And President Whitten has been
(31:18):
massive in terms of when she arrived, and she really
was committed in our first meeting, you know, she said,
we need to build a winning football program here and
to have that support from the top is really really big.
And then ultimately to put together a vision for how
to compete in this new world. And you know, with
hiring coach sig now Darren Debreez, making certain that we've
(31:39):
got the infrastructure around him. There's so many unsung heroes
that we would not be here today in a position
to compete and go into this game Saturday if it
weren't for there's a guyned Pete Yakman, and Pete behind
the scenes is a volunteer for us that has helped
with our collective and helps really create a vision for
(32:00):
we can compete in il wives in this new world.
You know, play we were given, these new cards, were dealt.
How do we play them within the rules the best
we can? And then certainly our alumni base. I can't,
I could. I could ramble for an hour about the
amount of people who and it doesn't matter. There's big donors,
there's small donors. There's people all across the board that
(32:22):
have supported us and then gotten behind our vision to
build our athletic program. And then specifically, you know, we're
talking about football, but that yeah, like I said, I'm
kind of rambling on it that it's it's so meaningful
to me having been here in a long time to
see our fans step up in the way they do
(32:42):
and uh, we couldn't. This isn't the company line either,
but we couldn't have the success we're having if all
the things I just listed, including and probably most importantly,
the fans support the people who stepped up from an
NIL perspective, we wouldn't be competing and enjoying the fun
times that we are without that support.
Speaker 5 (33:01):
The boys of Scott Nelsen again the ady down there
in Bloomington, as he has said, noon coming up, big
noon kickoff coming up Saturday against UCLA basketball team will
be up here in the state Capitol taking on Baylor
and exhibition game on Sunday. I think you kind of
were hitting on it there, Scott, But to go a
little further, I was listening to kurtz Ignatty. I forget
which interview was a couple of weeks back, but he
(33:22):
mentioned how, you know, he feels like some donors within
whatever university athletically have started to now dip their toes
across the parking lot, if you will, and maybe shift
or add their contributions towards the football program. How have
you seen that backing from a financial sense, Yeah, you know, I.
Speaker 8 (33:42):
Think it's been It's been fantastic, and I think that
where you know, I grew up working with donors. I've
been you know, I was hired thirty five years ago
to an entry level fundraiser in the athletic department. So
I kind of feel like I've lived in that world.
And you know what, what you find out is that
you know, support and donors who step up. They like
(34:02):
to believe in and trust in the in the process
and in the vision that we have. You know, if
you show them a plan and they really believe in that,
people will step up. And so certainly, as we had
a plan for football, we have a plan for basketball,
as we're working on just our entire athletic program, I
think that momentum is really you know, gaining more and
(34:23):
more support. And you know, our alumni base is the
largest in the country. Is you know, just from your
show being based on Indianapolis, you guys know that, you know,
there's au people everywhere and they just want to have
hope and believe in the plan. And so again, we
would not be here today if it weren't for that support.
And that's not it's not something extra, it's not something that, hey,
(34:45):
what would be great if we get some extra gifts
we can do some different things. Literally, this support has
enabled us to help build this program to enable co
SIG to have the resources to compete again with the
highest levels with the teams around the co true that
we need to compete with. So yeah, it's been really
exciting and I can't thank our fans our supporters enough
(35:07):
for joining us on this mission to make certain that
we can compete at highest levels a year in, year.
Speaker 5 (35:12):
Out, Scott last one for me, and we certainly appreciate
your time during a busy fall calendar transition into the
winter season. But you know, revenue share and how athletic
departments and universities will divide that up has been a
huge topic across the landscape of college sports. For you guys, football,
men's basketball, How do you view how that will be
divvied up from a revenue share?
Speaker 8 (35:33):
Yeah, what we do, and we're really consistent with the
way other schools, particularly in our league. You know, we
can't really because of we can't compare each other's numbers
because of the anti trust violation. But basically I kind
of have a feel for how everyone is doing it,
not just in the big tend around the country, and
we follow the revenue generated in the support in the sport,
(35:56):
and then and then also try to figure out what
is the market place out there. So we're following that, uh,
you know, kind of consistent and it doesn't take a
rocket sciences to figure out that football is number one
certainly in that in that distribution, and then's basketball and
certainly women's basketball following that, and then we sprinkled around
(36:16):
in other areas as well. But again to compete, you
have to make certain you know what the marketplace is
in the ability knowing that you just you hear different things,
you know, not exactly always what to believe and what
you hear what's out there in the market. But I
feel like we're doing everything we can. Back to what
I said earlier about the support you receive, you know,
(36:36):
with with us yours, Cannects, Pete Young and then people
supported our nil first. You know, it's all about being
able to compete in the marketplace. And and I will
add one of the things I think it's it's really
important that you know it. Certainly money talks and you
have to have the resources to compete. But at the
same time, both coach Sig Darren Terry Moore, you know,
we want to make certain that the student athletes that
(36:57):
were bringing in understand the balance that they you know,
are student, they still in a class, they still want
to develop in every way. And again that sounds like
I have to say that as a company line, but
I really mean that in the locker room is really important.
And just like Fernando windows that we talked about, you know,
we want kids that represent how you and that certainly
can maximize their nil revs share all that. You know,
(37:18):
we're all in on that, but at the same time
they're developing as a person and we're really proud of
our coaches recruit as well in that area.
Speaker 6 (37:26):
Well, I'll tell you what, Scott again, as the Illinois
alum on the show, if you know, you ever want
to mess up the recruiting a little bit and some
some of those guys over to Illinois, I'll be gladly appreciated.
But on the more serious no, the last thing I
have for you before we let you go basketball. We
know are you fans and like most fan bases, you're
gonna be greedy.
Speaker 4 (37:45):
You know, football's back, they're Roland.
Speaker 6 (37:46):
We're now we're looking at men's basketball credits and the
women's program for being great last few years as well.
But men's basketball, why was daring to vreize the right
choice and what do you expect from him in that
unit in year one, knowing the rich history that you
have you all have in men's basketball.
Speaker 8 (38:03):
Yeah, Darren, it's you know, very similar to the coach
Signette hiring in terms of, you know, check the boxes
of the key areas that we were looking for. Uh,
you know, we wanted someone that had, uh, you know,
modern offense that that young men want to play in
and you look out college basketball is developing. We wanted
to make certain they have that. But at the same time,
(38:24):
we want a head coach that had really old school
Indiana defense, plays super hard and just drew it, just
really competes. And and then in addition to that, you know, Darren,
we wanted to know we look at the person in
terms of we want him to certainly fit in one
of the head coach that really had the personality that
really would be embraced here with our fan base and
(38:47):
with our community. And Darren checked the game like coaching,
checked every box not only from a coaching standpoint, but
just the way he fits with us and really excited
about him. And in terms of expectations. You know, I
just really want our fan base to just see it
and understand that that's what Indiana basketball is all about,
the way we play, and that sounds it's easy to say,
(39:11):
but it's kind of it's kind of hard to explain.
But I really want our fans as we come out
on the court, and I think you could already feel
it last week and our exhibition yet gets married that
our fans trust the process and see that that we
play super hard, intense, love our effort, our defense, love
our shooting because we've grown up with shooters in the
(39:32):
state of Indiana, and just really proud of our program
and have a lot of hope for the future. And
I'm confident that that'll happen.
Speaker 2 (39:39):
Last thing for me, Scott.
Speaker 1 (39:41):
You know, it's not just football and men's basketball, but
things are rolling down there. I know that people are
excited about the volleyball team this year. Women's basketball is
always playing well. I found myself a true story, found
myself watching Indiana Wisconsin soccer for a few minutes last
night and I think the Hoosias were beating up on
like four to nothing at the time. What how, what's
(40:02):
your overall feeling about the health of the athletic department
in general right now.
Speaker 8 (40:08):
Yeah, I feel really I feel great. You know, I
feel like we've got a great, slight slate of coaches
that are really across the board, you know, competing and
developing our young men and young women. You know, I
feel like, you know, we talk about winning a lot
in our department, and uh, we embrace that and talk
about the process of winning across the board, not just
(40:28):
with football and the house students basketball, but you know,
it could go on and on with you know, our
swimming program. It's kind of that hidden gem in some
ways that you know, we can compete. Last year we
finished third in the country and the men and fourth
and the women, and I think we've got a chance
to keep going from there. And and when we talk
about winning, it's not just because it's pretty good of
old IU, which it is, but we really feel like
(40:51):
if we want to maximize the experience for our student
athletes in every way, winning is a big, big part
of that. And and the more we talk about it,
the more the more I think our studentatics feel that's
part of our culture that we know we play to win,
and it's okay to say that, and as we do
exit interviews with our student athletes, this isn't a revelation,
but the student athletes who had a chance to compete
(41:12):
for big games and win championships or be able to
really compete at a high level, their experience is so
much better. So winning is a big part of our
culture and something that you know. I'm not a big
I'm talking a lot on this show. It's early in
the morning, late night after the big chen ad meetings
did last two days, but it really we just want
to do the work and it's a process. So I
(41:33):
don't like to over I like to underpromise and over deliver.
I don't like to be a big talker, but we
really winning is super important to us for our student athletes.
Speaker 1 (41:43):
Scott, thanks for your time today. We appreciate the opportunity
to have a chat with you. Continued success throughout the
rest of the school year and we'll talk to you
again soon.
Speaker 8 (41:50):
Appreciate it. Thanks for having me on.
Speaker 2 (41:51):
Thank you Scott.
Speaker 1 (41:53):
As you were listening to the Fan Morning Show and
ninety and one.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
Happy Wednesday, thanks for listening to us.
Speaker 1 (42:02):
However you may be choosing to listen this morning, We'll
get to all that coming up in a minute. Had
a terrific conversation with IU Athletic director Scott Dolson just
a moment ago, and we talk more to college football
right now, because why not. You got the number two
ranked team in the country both in the AP pole
and the coaches pol with the Hoosiers. Pat Forty is
always fun to read. He's always informational, he's always insightful.
(42:23):
He writes at Sports Illustrated and he joins us now
in the Payless Lickers hot line. Good morning, in the
middle of the college football season, Pat Forty, it's got
to be heaven for you right now.
Speaker 7 (42:34):
All we're ripping and running good times. Yes, sir, happy
to be on with.
Speaker 2 (42:37):
You, well, happy to have you.
Speaker 1 (42:38):
We're talking to Scott Dolson just a moment ago from IU,
and we're talking about Kurtzignetti and what he's done and
the brand new contract. And it's interesting. I had seen
one of your most recent columns was about what's Penn
State going to do as they try to replace James Franklin,
And I thought it was interesting that in this ear
and how where we're firing coaches five or six games
into the season, that IU was very proactive in making
(43:00):
sure that they didn't let Kurtzignetti get away. Were you
surprised at all that it took them about three days
to figure that out?
Speaker 7 (43:09):
That was really fast. I mean, that was impressive. I
will say I think several elements go into play there. One,
you could kind of see the Franklin thing coming for
a couple of weeks. Is that very rapidly fell apart.
And secondly, you know Scott Dolson and his people, they're
not stupid. They know they have the hottest coach in
(43:31):
the country and the best coach in the country right now,
and you know, we've got to do what we got
to do to step up there. I think from the
minute they crushed Illinois, it was like, Okay, people are
going to start coming after him even more than they
did last year. Let's be ready when that time comes.
(43:52):
And the second element of that is a Indiana has
something to sell now and be you got a coach
who to be there. You know, I think Signetti was
genuinely appreciative of the fact that at sixty two, after
winning relentlessly for a decade or more, Indiana stepped up
(44:12):
and did and took him. You know and gave him
that shot that he'd wanted to have, that he knew
he could capitalize on. And so I was like, yeah,
you know what, this has been a good relationship.
Speaker 8 (44:21):
You took a.
Speaker 7 (44:22):
Chance on me. I took a chance on you. Let's
keep it going.
Speaker 5 (44:25):
Pat, you you live close enough to Bloomington and certainly
have followed the program I guess from Afar, but not
that far away for years. So I think you could
maybe speak to this. When Kurtz Signetti said last year,
you know, before the Ohio State game, we you know,
I feel like I'm at an emerging superpower in college football.
I think a lot of people just laughed at that statement.
(44:46):
But given the landscape of college football, is he kind
of right of like, you know, the alumni base and
the big ten arms race, and you know the potential
that's there from you know, what donors could do if
they go across the parking lot from basketball to foot ball.
You know, is there a little bit of truth to that?
Speaker 8 (45:04):
Well?
Speaker 7 (45:04):
Sure, I would say this. I would say everyone is
an emerging superpower in this era.
Speaker 9 (45:11):
The that seriously you you throw?
Speaker 7 (45:16):
Sure you throw to get Did TCU play for a
national championship? A couple of years ago. Was that SMU
in the playoff last year?
Speaker 8 (45:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (45:23):
Yeah, I think so. But uh, you throw you throw
together enough money, and you get the right coach and
you get the right group of players, you can have
a run. Now what is a run one year, two years?
I don't know. Uh, but could Indiana sustain it? Theoretically yes,
and and the reasons he mentioned are certainly important. Big
(45:46):
ten membership helps. It helps to be in the Big
ten of the SEC more than the SEC or ACC
or Big twelve. And then a massive alumni base helps.
And if you get the manergize, which we've and I
mean you guys have been around you know this. I've
been going to the Indiana Games for thirty five years.
(46:08):
The level of apathy was incredible. But it's one of
those things where you just give them something and that
can turn around in a hurry, and you got all
this pent up excitement and probably pent up donor money
that now can be activated and put to use. The
only thing Indiana doesn't have, and it's less important than
(46:29):
it used to be, is sitting in like Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania.
There's good players in the state of Indiana, but there's
not the same number, but that matters less now in
a portal era and when players are much more mobile
and less hesitant to go far away from home.
Speaker 6 (46:49):
Pat forty again joining us here on the Pailsica's hot line,
the senior writer at Sports Illustrated. Pat talked about transportal
just there recently. But when you look at what frandom
and was able to do with that quarterback position, what
has been your impression of what he's brought to this
program considering that last year they had a good, really
good college quarterback and Curtis Rourke, and then now I
(47:10):
feel like they've upgraded.
Speaker 7 (47:13):
Oh, they've definitely upgraded. Mendoz is fantastic. I think the
NFL has to be very interested in him. He's got size,
he's got intelligence, he's got an arm, he's quick and
decisive for the most part, and he's really accurate. You know,
probably needs to show a little more downfield for them,
But from a college standpoint, he's outstanding. And I think
(47:36):
he's been put into a great offense with really good receivers,
by the way, who don't drop anything. I mean every
time I see them, they catch all the passes, even
the hard ones. So it's a great setup in great situation.
I saw Mendoza last year at call and really liked
him and thought Indiana was getting an upgrade. Curtis Rourke
(47:56):
was good last year, but in the games that it
really against the high level opponents, I thought he was
sometimes indecisive, sometimes confused, that the line of scrimmage, didn't
see blitzes and wasn't mobile. And I think those are
things that Mendozi is better at all of those and
has a stronger arm. So he's phenomenal and he's right
there at the top of the Heisman race.
Speaker 1 (48:18):
Pat Forty joining us here on the Paylost Lickuers hotline
this morning. Nice of him to stop by. I'll ask
this question. We have a resident fan here, but I'm
also interested in the in the program and a lot of
fans here in Indianapolis. But after a slow start, here
comes Marcus Freeman in Notre Dame. How good can they be?
Speaker 7 (48:35):
Yeah? I think that's one of those teams that the
rest of the country better not let into the playoffs
because they may do what they did last year. You know,
the start, they lost to very good teams and they
lost one game by three points in one game by
one point when they dropped an extra points snap. The
defense wasn't very good at the beginning of the year.
(48:57):
It still has some issues, but it's better and the
offense is outstanding. I mean, Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Preiser,
elite running backs.
Speaker 8 (49:07):
CJ.
Speaker 7 (49:08):
Cars played extremely well a quarterback. They've got some line
injuries that are a bit problematic, but you know, I
look at them and I look at their schedule, and
if they get to ten and two, we'll see what
the competition is, the lay of the land. You know,
if you're a Notre Dame or a Notre Dame PAN,
you got to be heartened watching the losses start to
(49:28):
pile up elsewhere. And that's probably going to continue for
the next five or six weeks. And the more teams lose,
the better you're ten and two will look.
Speaker 8 (49:37):
Now.
Speaker 7 (49:37):
They I think need like USC to finish well, Navy
to keep going, Pittsburgh to keep going, so that those
games mean something and it's not just well, we lost
to two good teams. You've got to have some good
wins on the resume too.
Speaker 5 (49:52):
Pat last one for me, We really appreciate your time
and a busy season I was fortunate to be at
that Notre Dame Indiana playoff game last year. I think
the campus atmosphere is just absolutely through the roof. Do
you think we ever get a point, assuming the playoff
sticks to the current format, which probably not, do you
think we get to a point where the quarterfinal games
would be on campus sites, the top four seeds would
(50:15):
get a chance to host.
Speaker 7 (50:17):
I sure hope, so, you know, and I think as anticipated,
a lot of those kind of schools looked last year
and said we want some of that. We want that
home game and that the home field advantage and the
home atmosphere and everything that that brought. I mean at
Notre Dame, at Texas, at Penn State, and even in
(50:39):
Ohio State when half the fans wanted to mute me.
I was there at that game. That was still a
very raucous environment. So you know, I think it's good
for the sport. The problem is, you know that it
has been tied to the hip with the bowl industry forever,
and undoing that tie is difficult. But I think especially look,
(51:01):
if the playoff gets bigger, which I think, you know,
if it gets bigger than sixteen, they've screwed it up,
which is entirely possible. But the more games you play,
the more expensive it is. Why not play some of
those games at home and then keep your fans from
having to try to travel to four different postseason games.
Speaker 1 (51:23):
Pat, great stuff. Always appreciate talking you. Thanks for getting
up early this morning and being with us. Safe travels man.
Speaker 2 (51:29):
We'll talk to you soon, Okay, my pleasure.
Speaker 8 (51:32):
Guys.
Speaker 7 (51:32):
Thank you,
You're listening to the Best of the Fan morning show
on ninety three five and one oh seven five the Fan.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Pacers getting ready to start back up. The cults are
doing well, you was doing well. We got perdue basketball.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
I know, I saw like a broken record, but I
couldn't help thinking last night Mark watching the NBA return
to NBC and Round Ball Rock and Michael Jordan saying
he didn't pick up a basketball anymore, and I'm curious
what his contributions are going to be this year. Like
it just feels like all is right in the sports
world at this moment in time.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
So far, so good, so good back turn back the
clock with Round Ball Rock last.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Night, Man, I was digging that. I'm I'm not gonna lie,
uh But yeah, NBA season is already here. We had
a couple of games last night. Pacers get going again
tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to that. And it's obviously
this is I think one of the best times of
the year. Everybody always talks about spring and the Masters
is fantastic, It's coming off the Final Four. That's a
great time of year, no question.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
But you get me.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Regular season basketball, the middle of the football season, fall
classic is about to start. This is not a bad
time for sports. And you look at the overtime win
last night. There was a hockey game I was watching
last night with Tampa and the Bruins that got decided
very late. Like, if you can't enjoy the drama and
(01:13):
the ups and the downs and the excitement of sports,
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I can't help you. I don't know what to tell you.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
People who don't love sports, I don't know them. That's
probably the best way I could put it. I don't
want to know them. Maybe it's too harsh for a
statement there, but yes, it's a great time nightly appointment television.
We're starting to get more into that aspect of the
sports calendar again. Pacer start one of eighty two coming
up tomorrow night inside of game Bridgefield. That sounds like
there will be a little bit I know Rick kind
(01:41):
of shared this with us if you missed Rick Carlisle
that's up on the podcast from yesterday. It sounds like
they'll be a little bit of a banner reveal. I
don't expect like a long drawn out ceremony by any means,
but at least some sort of unveiling tomorrow night.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Before the tip.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Yeah, you're talking about the ups and downs, like I
don't remember, and I've been fortunate enough to be a
part of some really cool moments and celebrations of the
years in sports. But that win to clinch the Eastern
Conference last year, and James, you were around walking back
through downtown from the field House just over here at
(02:18):
the studio, and the streets were alive and people were happy,
and they were high five and and horns were honking
and everybody was toasting one another out in the streets
in front of the bars and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Like that's what sports can do for an entire city.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Right there, James, and I love that about sports absolutely,
And I guess you know your goal is to hopefully
get an opportunity to experience that again.
Speaker 6 (02:41):
I don't think it'll be this year considering the injury
to Tarre's Halliburton, but that is the goal that he
laid out, and honestly emotionally he laid it out in
that Netflix Starting five documentary.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
So looking forward to the.
Speaker 6 (02:54):
Unique version of the Pacers that I put it out
there and what they can do this season as well.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
You said you.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Had to spend the day for the athletic kind of
following the Cam Jones stuff yesterday, what did you find out?
Speaker 2 (03:07):
What were you able to discover that?
Speaker 6 (03:08):
Yeah, I know, originally it was labeled as like I
want to say, it was a couple different analysts that
did this, like he took the police like a chase.
But after you read the probable cause affidavit, like not
to make excuses for the guy because the police officer
said he, you know, allegedly clocked him allegedly going about
ninety and fifty.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
So I'm like, I can't really absolve you of that.
That's absurd.
Speaker 6 (03:32):
But cam Jones apparently told the police I didn't know
I was being pulled over. So if you keep that
in mind, and it sounds like he didn't like take
him like on some wild goose chase. He just took
him off the expressway and you know, pulled over or
whatever the case may be. But it doesn't sound like
just to clear this up like that, he was like,
oh my god, the police are behind me. I'm gonna
step on the gas. Like it didn't seem like it
(03:54):
was that. So I don't know what that mean for
like the charges in the case, but from the reaction
that he had when he spoke at practice yesterday. Kevin,
you were there, you carobably speak more to that and
then a reaction that Rick Carlo had had on these airwaves.
It sounds like they're not too worried about, you know,
what happened, but still not an overall I guess a
good thing to have on the resume as a rookie
(04:16):
who hasn't played an NBA game yet.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
Yeah, I think that's probably a good way to put it.
James as the Pacers probably would sum it up as
an overreaction. Yeah, I think is how Rick Carlisle shared
that with us. He kind of backed that up over
at practice.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
Cam Jones stayed an apology yesterday prior to the start
of practice. So uh, I think, you know, in trying
to whatever move on from this, that's probably the best
way to handle it. And Cam Jones from a health
standpoint on the floor, he has been hurt back injury.
I believe I wasn't supposed to play for the next
couple of weeks anyways.
Speaker 6 (04:47):
Yeah, I think Carlo said he'll get evaluated again November ninth.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
Yeah, kind of the TJ McConnell timeline here. One thing
to go back to when you guys are touching on,
you know, Halliburton and kind of whatever life without him.
I'll go back to remember Alex Golden said this when
we had him on at some point here in the
off season of you know, how are the Pacers going
to play Halliburton basketball without Halliburton?
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Great question, honestly.
Speaker 5 (05:11):
Like you can play I think with pace without him,
Like I think there will be an inherent effort to
try and continue to run like that. To me, I
think has been pretty much kind of branded into these Pacers.
But when you run, it oftentimes can bring some risk,
and the risk being turnovers, the risk being not handling
(05:32):
the basketball to the level that you know, maybe more
of a controlled pace you're able to do. And one
of the many I would say, arguably Halliburton's greatest gift
is to be such a my just a maestro of
it all and throw passes and get guys involved and
assist after assist and get guys open shots. And then
you add it up at the end of forty eight
(05:52):
minutes and you're like, he had one turnover? How Like
you watch NBA games every night and all these dudes
turn the ball over, all of them, even the great ones.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
That's his superpower, honor.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
So that would be my question, like Andrew Nemhard running,
Benedict Mathen running, Aaron E. Smith running, Yeah, I can
see all of that playing out, but running efficiently, running
without the bad I guess aspect to it, that is
something that Halliburn does so so well and obviously right now,
from a point guard standpoint, Rick said of yesterday, you know,
(06:26):
the backup point guard tomorrow night could be a guy
that's never played point guard in an NBA game. Like,
that's just the reality of where they're at. From a
depth chart standpoint, if that's Jaris Walker as a point forward,
if that's Taylor Peter in his first ever NBA game,
you know whatever that looks like for them. So I
think got something that'll be a huge topic.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
And to your point to drill down on a little
bit deeper too, there are point guards and then there
are point guards. We got so used to, Like God's right, yeah,
point a WD, we got so used to the to
the numbers last year, James, it seemed like every night
it was twelve assists, one turnover, fourteen assists, zero turnovers,
thirteen assists one turnover, fifteen assists, turtunarovers. I mean, the
(07:06):
ratio was just absurd for the second half of that
season last year.
Speaker 6 (07:11):
Yeah, and that's why I think again love the confidence
from Pacers fans, and they should be confident in this
group just because of the resilience they've shown no matter
what kind of thrown it in the last couple of years.
But when you lose an all NBA caliber player, a
top fifteen player in the world, that is hard to overcome.
And I think it's even harder to overcome when that
(07:33):
player is your system. So we'll see how they're able
to adapt that system. I know Rire Carlisle talked at
length about this yesterday and even brought up his love
of music and how music can be shifted and composed
in different ways. Or we're gonna see the musical chairs
when it comes to the Pacers this year and how
they look without Hallibert.
Speaker 5 (07:53):
And I don't overreact to a four game preseason sample size,
but they did turn the ball over at a very
alarming rate in the preseason. Now, I understand that you
obviously are mixing matching lineups, and you know you're not
playing your starters, you know, into the second halves of
really many, if any of those games. So that is
something that definitely deserves be watching. But yeah, point guard
(08:14):
rotation or i should say point guard depth and center rotation.
How much OBI topping with that starting unit? Is that
your You know, if they get into a two possession
game of five minutes to go tomorrow night with the Thunder,
is it OBI topping with that group?
Speaker 7 (08:26):
Now?
Speaker 5 (08:26):
Look at how the Thunder started last night, Hartenstein and
Cheat Holmgren in the starting lineup, that obviously is, you know,
a pretty big starting lineup.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
How do you counter with that?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
It's gonna be interesting to watch.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
In the meantime, we turn our attention here on the
Fan Morning Show to the Paylist Liquers hotline where the
one the only early today and we are here for
it and love it and thank him for that. Steven
Holder ESPN covers the Colts. Good morning, my friend. How
you doing today?
Speaker 8 (08:52):
Doing well?
Speaker 9 (08:53):
How we're doing?
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Things are good? We appreciate you being here a little
bit earlier than normal. I'm just curious. I've only been
here for thirteen years, You've been here for a while,
You've been covering this team.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
For a while. What's going on?
Speaker 1 (09:03):
With the culture right now, and how do you explain
this six and one start last night or are this
year when given the fact that that we all thought
that the Colts would be doing well to try and
get to five hundred this year.
Speaker 9 (09:17):
They excuse me, they are playing with I know this
sounded like a simple, simplistic answer, but they're playing with
like a rare confidence right now. I think it was
as Moley Cox had said to me the other day,
he said, you know, we we feel like we're going
to score forty every game, and he was serious, you know,
(09:40):
and now again you have to have talent to do that,
but they don't have a significantly difference in talent from
previous years. I think there's something about this team, and
certainly Daniel Jones is part of it, but it's not
the only thing.
Speaker 8 (09:56):
They have.
Speaker 9 (09:56):
Just they have unlocked something where they really have tapped
into what they're doing. Schematically, yes, but but what they
are doing has unlocked this this level of confidence and
they have the swagger that I've never seen from them,
at least not in not in the in the recent past.
So it is really interesting to watch. That's the best
(10:19):
I can give you.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
It really is remarkable holders.
Speaker 6 (10:23):
Should the Colts be buyers at the trade deadline?
Speaker 9 (10:29):
Yeah, I mean yes in theory. I think my answer
to this has I don't know what's going on me
this morning, sorry, but I think my answer to this
has been largely that the rules, the usual rules should
be broken this year, you know, in terms of what
they might typically do. In other words, you know, Chris
(10:51):
Baalader has ten ten has tended to be pretty conservative
at the trade deadline. If anything, you know, he might
trade away as opposed to trading for. I think this
year is different because I think they really have a chance.
I mean, they have the best record in the NFL.
We'll see if that holds a long way to go
and the schedule gets harder, but I mean they're in
(11:12):
position to do something big that he's never had a
chance to do for sure. So I think the rules
that he typically has to be broken this year. However,
buyers for what? It depends on what's available, And I
don't know that the availability is what people want, you know,
I mean, will what's available to them solve their problems
(11:36):
that I don't know. You know, you look at Trey Hendrickson,
you think the Bengals are trading that guy now they
think Joe Flacco is going to get them somewhere. I mean,
they may be wrong, but we'll see. I'm skeptical. But
they had a big win the other night and they
feel like they got a shot, right. So I don't
see that happening, you know, just things like that. I
(11:59):
think that's going to be the question. Who's available and
what's it going to cost? Does it make sense even
in light of of what they have a chance to
do this year? And that's what's the tougher part of
the question.
Speaker 6 (12:12):
So to follow off to that holder, and again I
see where you're coming from. But I guess my deeper
question is when you look at this pass rush or
even the secondary, do you feel like can you sleep
at night if six weeks from now you didn't take
that swing on even just a serviceable veteran, someone you
know can help you or upgrade at least give you
(12:33):
a little boost in those areas. I mean, I don't know,
linebackers another group that probably needs some help, but just
one of those. Because in my mind, I just don't
see how this pass rush, in particular, at least in
my mind, how it gets better Because I haven't seen
enough from that group, unfortunately, even though they've been invested
in a lot considering where these guys have been drafted.
Speaker 9 (12:54):
Yeah, I mean, I don't think their defense is a
championship level defense right now. A lot of that is
because of injuries. I mean, I think if the I
think if the secondary was at full strength, you might
see more from the pass rush. That's the one thing
I think we have glossed over a little bit is that, yes,
they're not winning enough upfront. I'm not going to pretend
(13:17):
that they are. However, quarterbacks will have to hold the
ball more if you have tighter coverage, and let's just
be honest. I mean I might as well be playing
corner at this point, right. I Mean, it's tough right now,
right and I think the injuries are what they are,
and I gotta give I'm giving Chris Ballad some grace
on that because he did address the secondary, and he
(13:40):
did right, and we all know that everybody agrees. But
the NFL is brutal, and this is just one of
those years, man, where you know, injuries come in bunches,
and the secondary is one of those spots where you
tend to have these things happen, those soft tissue injuries,
lower body injuries, et cetera, and they just have gotten overwhelmed.
So I guess, well, I'm saying, is I agree with you? Yes,
(14:03):
I don't think this defense the way it's playing right now,
I don't think you can win the Super Bowl like that.
I mean, right, we might as well be talking about
it in those terms.
Speaker 8 (14:13):
Right.
Speaker 9 (14:13):
You get the best record in the NFL, so we
might as well raise the bar pretty damn high. And
I think I know that's what they're thinking, so we
might as well. So I agree with you. I think
they have to figure out how they can, you know,
muster something on defense to really get to a championship level,
because I don't know that this defense.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Is ESPN dot com, where you can find the work
of Steven Holder. He's with us here on the Payloss
Slickers hotline. Steven, I hate to, you know, ask your
brain to go back six years, but I guess I will.
You know, we haven't had too many of these starts
in the Chris Ballen era, of course, getting off to
you know, six and one, and you know, being at
this position as the month of October starts to come
(14:53):
to a close but in twenty nineteen they did get
off to a five and two start. It's a topic
I wanted to get into a little bit later today
but haven't really had the chance to expand on it.
But when you think back to twenty nineteen, obviously you
had the luck retirement that shocked everybody you know. Just
weeks before the start of the season, Jacoby Brissett gets
thrust into starter duty and there they are starting five
(15:15):
and two. Do you see any similarities to that season
at all? Differences? How do you kind of view the
two best starts in the Ballad era.
Speaker 9 (15:26):
Yeah, I've thought about that. I think this is different,
and the reason for it is. First off, that team
was not blowing people out the way this team is, right,
They were not overwhelming opponents. They were playing well, and
I think they get credit for that. Obviously they didn't
sustain it. But this team is playing so far and
(15:48):
away better than their opponents. And granted I do subscribe
to the idea that the schedule hasn't been that tough.
I think that is a fair thing to at least discuss.
I don't think it matters though, because look at how
they're beating people. That's my thing. I mean, even the Chargers,
who are not an easy opponent so to speak. I mean,
(16:09):
they were leading that game at two points by two
different junctures, by twenty one points, right, So I don't
recall the margin of victory or all that in twenty nineteen,
but that team did not look like this team, you know,
they just didn't. And I don't think there's been a
win other than the Denver game where you looked at
them and said, you know, I don't know if they're
(16:31):
going to pull this one out. I mean, they have
been in control of every game. It's crazy just about.
So that's the difference. And then frankly, just offensively and
the quarterback play is different for sure, And just offensively
the level of offense they're playing at, which I think
looks sustainable, that is different for sure. So but that
(16:55):
twenty nineteen season does reinforce how difficult it is to
carry it through. It's tough, and it will get tougher,
all right. And don't fall off if you're a fan
if they lose a couple you know, in the next
six weeks and say, ah, I knew it, No, it's
gonna happen. It is what it is. That's the NFL.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
So just fyi, Stephenholder ESPN dot com joining us here
on the Fan Morning show. In the Payliss Slickers hotline,
you talk about that offense and I'm thinking back and
maybe one or two of the years with Andrew Luck,
certainly with Peyton Manning. When you're sitting there in the
press box and you're watching this team, do you kind
of get the feeling that every possession you feel pretty
(17:36):
good about getting points out of it at this point
in time, like, when was the last time we felt
that way?
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 9 (17:42):
I mean, I think the execution is just spectacular. And
that's a boring word for people, but it's the most
important word. You know. Execution is how you avoid third
and fourteen, right, because third and fourteen's don't happen in
the NFL. They actually have converted some ridiculous curtain lungs
(18:02):
this year, to be clear, but generally speaking, you know,
you get those certain lungs you're punting. That's just you're
giving the defense all the cards. Okay, they have been
executing on first down and second down, and so sometimes
they don't even get to third down, and when they do,
it's third and manageable. You get shame stiching in third
(18:25):
and three, Well you might as well just give it
to him, because he's gonna have something. He's gonna be
able to dial something up. And so that is I
think then the perfect storm. When you execute early, you
stay out of those thirdain lungs. They are sustaining drives.
Most drives, and disappointingly because somebody gets a penalty or
(18:48):
somebody makes a drop or whatever. Right, that's how most
drives end. Well, they're not doing those things. They generally
are not doing those things, and so their drives are
being sustained and they're scoring more points than everybody else,
which is pretty fundamental right to winning. It's simplistic, but
that's what you're seeing when you execute. This is what
(19:08):
you get. Most teams can execute at this level. I
think it's a it's a credit to the coaching. We
got to give them credit. I mean, they are doing
something pretty remarkable right now.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Steven, thanks as always for stopping by. Thanks for doing
it a little bit early today. We appreciate that, and
we'll talk to you again later this week.
Speaker 9 (19:25):
All right, guys, see you so.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
Stephenholder ESPN dot Com joining us on the payless liockkers
hotline talking about the Indianapolis Colts, and I know, James,
you've been on the beat for a couple of years now,
but how crazy is it to sit in that press
box and every time they get the football like, okay,
here we go, let's see how they get it done
this time?
Speaker 6 (19:41):
Yeah, pretty much excting to go down there and score
a touchdown, not just score points. I feel like this
offense and one offense in the league, you have to
give them that respect. At this point, I'm always thinking
to myself, Okay, how long do you wait in the
season to.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
Accept whatever trends you're seeing?
Speaker 6 (19:56):
And I think when you get through seven weeks, you know,
then in one offense in the NFL, you can if
we say, we have a great offense.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
And one of.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
The quotes that I use in my story for a
Sunday's game recap that really stands out to me was
Molly Cox saying that he told rookie Tyler Warren after
Week one, hey, it's not always like this, and then
he's like, hey, rook it's kind of hard to get
him to believe that when we do this every week.
Even I have had changed my perspective a bit so Yeah,
(20:23):
to go out there and basically think they're gonna score
forty points every game. That's a testament to one the
play calling from Shane, but also the talent they have
on this roster. And it starts I think, or it's
been amplified by having not just a steady quarterback, because
Daniel Jones hardly been steady. He's been elite, I would say,
through the first seven weeks of the season. And you know,
if you people put him on the list of top
(20:44):
five quarterback, I think you have to kind of give
him that respect.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
Shout out to a listener, Brandt his son turning four today,
Gabriel Massive Colts, Pacers and Notre Dame fan boy. Can
I get behind that? He's all about the bascots blue
bloom Boomer of course some said Bloomer, Indie leper Kahn
and Rowdy mark your favorite mascot blue Boomer to the
Notre Dame leprekhn or Rowdy?
Speaker 4 (21:10):
Uh have you ever.
Speaker 5 (21:12):
Touched Rowdy's nose?
Speaker 2 (21:13):
I have not.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
The girls have, though, beyond I have squeaks. Now, Yeah, yeah,
I'd say they would vote rowdy. They would say Rowdy.
They've seen him the most. But they like some boomer,
They like some blue and all that. They like the
uh the kazoos or whatever that kazoos, whatever the hell
the things come out the party favors that come out
of blues Nose.
Speaker 4 (21:31):
They like that a lot.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
Yeah, a little different than the cold the max bones
been fighting for the last month.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Freddy Fever run around.
Speaker 5 (21:38):
Going back to Stephen Holder of that twenty nineteen Colts,
I would agree wholeheartedly. This is much different. It was
Survive in advance almost twenty nineteen. Jacoby Brissette was playing.
I just called Jacoby Brissette football. You had the weird
like adamanitary, like what's left and where is he at?
From a health standpoint? I mean, they were winning. They
were the cardiac cults. They were winning one score games
(22:01):
like none other. And you know, really Jacoby got hurt
against the Steelers when Cameron Hayward kind of took Quentin
Nelson back into him, and that led to Brian Hoyer
finishing that game and then starting the next week lost loss,
and then it just kind of unraveled once Jacoby got
back in the lineup. I want to say they lost
five of their last six. I don't envision now. Of
course that quarterback injury did impact some things. I don't
(22:24):
envision that. Like if you told me right now, like
how is the Colts offense going to be stopped soon?
Speaker 9 (22:29):
I don't.
Speaker 5 (22:30):
I don't think there was an easy answer. Their balance
is unbelievable right now. I mean, I guess the NFL
always humbles you, and you know, health could derail, But
right now, it's just hard to argue a healthy Colts
offense all of a sudden falling off a cliff given
the nature Like Moley Cox is on that team, James,
and you know he's saying, you know, hey, we're blowing
teams out. Now, that's different than what we did in
(22:52):
twenty nineteen.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
Absolutely coming up.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
At a moment, the man in charge of IU Athletics
stops by, Scott Dolson, will spend some time with us
here on the Face Morning Show. It's a Wednesday morning
at ninety three five and one oh seven five.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Good morning.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
As the sun comes up, we see the rise of
Indiana football at the same time, and they are sitting
there at number two in both the AP and Coaches
poll in college football, and they've got UCLA and another
home game coming up. This weekend, and all things seem
to be pointing up the arrows going in the right direction.
We bring in our next guest to tell us a
little bit more about how this is all happening and
how it's being built. Scott Dolson is the athletic director
(23:27):
over at Indiana University, and he is on the Paylesslikers
hotline this morning.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Good morning, Scott.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
It's got to be fun to wake up with with
just the who's your mentality these days?
Speaker 8 (23:38):
Hey, good morning, and yeah, it's definitely been super exciting
and can't wait to get back on the field this
Saturday and keep it rolling.
Speaker 5 (23:46):
Scott, I was hoping and appreciate the time. I hoping
you can take us back a couple weeks ago to
you walking into Kurtzignetti's office and saying, you know what
I feel like, now is the time for a contract extension.
How much of that did you view? The win over Oregon?
How much of it did you view? There are some
openings around college football if you don't mind, could you
walk us through that?
Speaker 8 (24:07):
Sure, it really was a you know, kind of a
comprehensive look at our program and all that with day
and then it obviously we gave him a contract extension
last year, but give him the start this year. Kind
of where we are where a college football landscape is.
We really wanted him to feel commitment to him, but
also a commitment to football. And you know, basically that
(24:29):
was our conversation. And one of the things that was
super important to us as well, is that we didn't
want him to feel that just because he signed a
new deal last year. You know, we know he and
his wife Minette love it here, the family loves it.
We didn't want him to feel we take him for
granted because what he's doing here is really really special
and we feel like we're just getting started. So all
those things were important to us, and and I know
(24:52):
he appreciated it, and it was a great process, just
like it was last year, and feel really really confident
and tinue to build what we're building.
Speaker 5 (25:01):
You've described him as a unicorn. Could you kind of
expand on that word.
Speaker 8 (25:08):
Yeah, and only what I meant by that is he's
just obviously he's very unique. You know, when we had
the hiring process, we put together a list of all
the qualities and a head coach that we felt would
put us in the best position to have consistent success
with that program. Things like we wanted an existing head coach,
someone who had won consistently. We wanted someone had staff continuity,
(25:32):
real consistency of staff, where someone was a quarterback kind
of offensive guru. We wanted someone been a recruiting coordinator.
So all those things are reporting and coach seek checked
every box. But in addition to that, why I think
he's so special is the first time I talked to him,
he just has this unique personality, this unique drive focus
(25:54):
that when you combine that with all of his skill set,
he is just a what we felt was a perfect
fit for us. But also you know, we wouldn't trade
him for anybody. He just really I think, highly highly
skilled head coach and understands the business of college football.
He just checks every box and just as you could tell,
(26:17):
we absolutely are thrilled that he's a part of OU
family and going to be for a long long time.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
Scott James Boyd here, I'm an Illinois alum, so I
am convinced that IU football is back, baby, because I
saw the fifty three point ft down for a few
weeks ago.
Speaker 4 (26:32):
But yeah, I was wearing candy striped pants because of
that loss, so I got you know, I had to,
I had to eat some crow there.
Speaker 6 (26:38):
But when you look at you know what this program
is able to do the last two years under coach Signetti,
just two losses, and those two losses were are two
teams competed for national championship last year?
Speaker 4 (26:49):
Has this gone better than even you might have expected?
Speaker 8 (26:53):
You know, first of all, James Illinois is a great
program as well, and have a ton of respect for
ad Josh Whitman and certainly coach Beliema and things that
they're doing there. We studied Illinois when we when we
hired coach sig we looked at programs that we felt
we could compare to, you know, programs around the country.
So we have a lot of respect for Illinois. But
(27:13):
but yeah, we really this has happened. Probably you dream
about stuff like this. There's no way I would lose
all credibility if I tell you that. I imagine that
we'd be eighteen to two in our first twenty games.
You know, I thought we would you know, continue to improve,
and I thought that we had a chance to be
to be good last year. But now this has been
you know, above and beyond all expectations. Ultimately, this is
(27:37):
where we wanted to get to tool we're competing nationally
at a high level. But like I said, if I
have told you, you know, the day of the press
conference and the day we hired Coach Sigg, that we'd
be eighteen to two, like I said, you wouldroll your
eyes and there's no way you could think that. So yeah,
but with Coach Sig and just how he works his plan,
his blueprint, the way he is, you know it really
(27:57):
and again this isn't a company line. This sounds like
it it is, but I'll be honest with you, James,
we feel like you know, it's really a one day
at a time focus on on the plan. That's where
we are in the department. That's way coached Sig works.
That's where I grew up under Coach Knight, honestly working
as a manager for him. And you know, we don't think,
with the smartest people in the room, that we've got
all us figured out. We think we just got a plan.
(28:19):
We have to really work that plan, adjust, adapt, continue
to try to improve what we can. And you know
our opponent is now UCLA and that game plan and
we just got to stick to that.
Speaker 6 (28:31):
So you talk about adjusting and adapting, and you look
at the Lancaale COLLG football. These days, you constantly have
to retoll your roster and one of the best ways
to do that is to transfer a portal. And you
look at last year's roster, which was a great team,
and this year's team with the addition of Fernando Mendoza.
What has it been like getting him acclimated to the
IU program. What do you think he's brought to the
most importantsition in the sport.
Speaker 8 (28:53):
Yeah, Fernando has been amazing, first of all off the field,
and you could probably tell in his interviews he's one
of the more Uh just I love him. We've had Yeah,
we've had some you know, we have great kids, but
we've never had any anyone any better than Fernande. He's
just a wonderful young man. And I sound old when
I say that. He just I really enjoyed my lunch
(29:16):
with he and al Berdo late in the summer and
it was just it's amazing, like their old friends. I mean,
he's just great people, great family. So he's been he's
adjusted really well. But in addition to that on the field,
just to fit with coach Sigg the way Coach Sig
develops quarterbacks. You know, back to when we hired Coach Sig,
that was a really big important part of the process,
(29:37):
so that that position, as you said, it's such a
key position, and you know, his development here I think
speaks volumes for our program and also speaks volumes for
the work that he puts in. You know, every day.
I've heard Coach Sigg say that's publicly multiple times that
he's never been around someone who works at it is
hard or or no one's ever worked any harder than
(29:58):
he has. And he continues to extra time. I know
this summer in June, in July, Fernando and Alberta would
come into the office in the afternoons and watch film
and continue to just work on the mental side of
being a quarterback. And those things pay dividends. So we're
thrilled to have him here, thrill to that Alberto here
as well, and look forward to the future and just
(30:20):
watching him develop, it's been awesome.
Speaker 1 (30:22):
He's the athletic director at Indiana University and the architect
of helping to build this athletic program into what we're
seeing right now. And we'll talk about the new basketball
coach in a second. But in this day and age
of big money and on everything else that goes on,
I feel that India's positioned well to compete in that environment,
being in the Big ten, some terrific alumni and boosters
(30:46):
things like that. How would you describe the position that
IU is in to compete moving forward with the biggest
programs in the country.
Speaker 8 (30:55):
You know, it's a it's a it's a it's a
daily work in progress and a commitment. And I agree
with you in terms of you know, I think you know,
you hear this word alignment a lot, and I think
we're positioned. You know, I could go back to when
Praig Glass was AD and I was deputy a d
and he did so much work on our facility end,
and that helps kind of lead us into this new
transformational time in college athletics. And President Whitten has been
(31:18):
massive in terms of when she arrived, and she really
was committed in our first meeting, you know, she said,
we need to build a winning football program here and
to have that support from the top is really really big.
And then ultimately to put together a vision for how
to compete in this new world. And you know, with
hiring coach sig now Darren Debreez, making certain that we've
(31:39):
got the infrastructure around him. There's so many unsung heroes
that we would not be here today in a position
to compete and go into this game Saturday if it
weren't for there's a guyned Pete Yakman, and Pete behind
the scenes is a volunteer for us that has helped
with our collective and helps really create a vision for
(32:00):
we can compete in il wives in this new world.
You know, play we were given, these new cards, were dealt.
How do we play them within the rules the best
we can? And then certainly our alumni base. I can't,
I could. I could ramble for an hour about the
amount of people who and it doesn't matter. There's big donors,
there's small donors. There's people all across the board that
(32:22):
have supported us and then gotten behind our vision to
build our athletic program. And then specifically, you know, we're
talking about football, but that yeah, like I said, I'm
kind of rambling on it that it's it's so meaningful
to me having been here in a long time to
see our fans step up in the way they do
(32:42):
and uh, we couldn't. This isn't the company line either,
but we couldn't have the success we're having if all
the things I just listed, including and probably most importantly,
the fans support the people who stepped up from an
NIL perspective, we wouldn't be competing and enjoying the fun
times that we are without that support.
Speaker 5 (33:01):
The boys of Scott Nelsen again the ady down there
in Bloomington, as he has said, noon coming up, big
noon kickoff coming up Saturday against UCLA basketball team will
be up here in the state Capitol taking on Baylor
and exhibition game on Sunday. I think you kind of
were hitting on it there, Scott, But to go a
little further, I was listening to kurtz Ignatty. I forget
which interview was a couple of weeks back, but he
(33:22):
mentioned how, you know, he feels like some donors within
whatever university athletically have started to now dip their toes
across the parking lot, if you will, and maybe shift
or add their contributions towards the football program. How have
you seen that backing from a financial sense, Yeah, you know, I.
Speaker 8 (33:42):
Think it's been It's been fantastic, and I think that
where you know, I grew up working with donors. I've
been you know, I was hired thirty five years ago
to an entry level fundraiser in the athletic department. So
I kind of feel like I've lived in that world.
And you know what, what you find out is that
you know, support and donors who step up. They like
(34:02):
to believe in and trust in the in the process
and in the vision that we have. You know, if
you show them a plan and they really believe in that,
people will step up. And so certainly, as we had
a plan for football, we have a plan for basketball,
as we're working on just our entire athletic program, I
think that momentum is really you know, gaining more and
(34:23):
more support. And you know, our alumni base is the
largest in the country. Is you know, just from your
show being based on Indianapolis, you guys know that, you know,
there's au people everywhere and they just want to have
hope and believe in the plan. And so again, we
would not be here today if it weren't for that support.
And that's not it's not something extra, it's not something that, hey,
(34:45):
what would be great if we get some extra gifts
we can do some different things. Literally, this support has
enabled us to help build this program to enable co
SIG to have the resources to compete again with the
highest levels with the teams around the co true that
we need to compete with. So yeah, it's been really
exciting and I can't thank our fans our supporters enough
(35:07):
for joining us on this mission to make certain that
we can compete at highest levels a year in, year.
Speaker 5 (35:12):
Out, Scott last one for me, and we certainly appreciate
your time during a busy fall calendar transition into the
winter season. But you know, revenue share and how athletic
departments and universities will divide that up has been a
huge topic across the landscape of college sports. For you guys, football,
men's basketball, How do you view how that will be
divvied up from a revenue share?
Speaker 8 (35:33):
Yeah, what we do, and we're really consistent with the
way other schools, particularly in our league. You know, we
can't really because of we can't compare each other's numbers
because of the anti trust violation. But basically I kind
of have a feel for how everyone is doing it,
not just in the big tend around the country, and
we follow the revenue generated in the support in the sport,
(35:56):
and then and then also try to figure out what
is the market place out there. So we're following that, uh,
you know, kind of consistent and it doesn't take a
rocket sciences to figure out that football is number one
certainly in that in that distribution, and then's basketball and
certainly women's basketball following that, and then we sprinkled around
(36:16):
in other areas as well. But again to compete, you
have to make certain you know what the marketplace is
in the ability knowing that you just you hear different things,
you know, not exactly always what to believe and what
you hear what's out there in the market. But I
feel like we're doing everything we can. Back to what
I said earlier about the support you receive, you know,
(36:36):
with with us yours, Cannects, Pete Young and then people
supported our nil first. You know, it's all about being
able to compete in the marketplace. And and I will
add one of the things I think it's it's really
important that you know it. Certainly money talks and you
have to have the resources to compete. But at the
same time, both coach Sig Darren Terry Moore, you know,
we want to make certain that the student athletes that
(36:57):
were bringing in understand the balance that they you know,
are student, they still in a class, they still want
to develop in every way. And again that sounds like
I have to say that as a company line, but
I really mean that in the locker room is really important.
And just like Fernando windows that we talked about, you know,
we want kids that represent how you and that certainly
can maximize their nil revs share all that. You know,
(37:18):
we're all in on that, but at the same time
they're developing as a person and we're really proud of
our coaches recruit as well in that area.
Speaker 6 (37:26):
Well, I'll tell you what, Scott again, as the Illinois
alum on the show, if you know, you ever want
to mess up the recruiting a little bit and some
some of those guys over to Illinois, I'll be gladly appreciated.
But on the more serious no, the last thing I
have for you before we let you go basketball. We
know are you fans and like most fan bases, you're
gonna be greedy.
Speaker 4 (37:45):
You know, football's back, they're Roland.
Speaker 6 (37:46):
We're now we're looking at men's basketball credits and the
women's program for being great last few years as well.
But men's basketball, why was daring to vreize the right
choice and what do you expect from him in that
unit in year one, knowing the rich history that you
have you all have in men's basketball.
Speaker 8 (38:03):
Yeah, Darren, it's you know, very similar to the coach
Signette hiring in terms of, you know, check the boxes
of the key areas that we were looking for. Uh,
you know, we wanted someone that had, uh, you know,
modern offense that that young men want to play in
and you look out college basketball is developing. We wanted
to make certain they have that. But at the same time,
(38:24):
we want a head coach that had really old school
Indiana defense, plays super hard and just drew it, just
really competes. And and then in addition to that, you know, Darren,
we wanted to know we look at the person in
terms of we want him to certainly fit in one
of the head coach that really had the personality that
really would be embraced here with our fan base and
(38:47):
with our community. And Darren checked the game like coaching,
checked every box not only from a coaching standpoint, but
just the way he fits with us and really excited
about him. And in terms of expectations. You know, I
just really want our fan base to just see it
and understand that that's what Indiana basketball is all about,
the way we play, and that sounds it's easy to say,
(39:11):
but it's kind of it's kind of hard to explain.
But I really want our fans as we come out
on the court, and I think you could already feel
it last week and our exhibition yet gets married that
our fans trust the process and see that that we
play super hard, intense, love our effort, our defense, love
our shooting because we've grown up with shooters in the
(39:32):
state of Indiana, and just really proud of our program
and have a lot of hope for the future. And
I'm confident that that'll happen.
Speaker 2 (39:39):
Last thing for me, Scott.
Speaker 1 (39:41):
You know, it's not just football and men's basketball, but
things are rolling down there. I know that people are
excited about the volleyball team this year. Women's basketball is
always playing well. I found myself a true story, found
myself watching Indiana Wisconsin soccer for a few minutes last
night and I think the Hoosias were beating up on
like four to nothing at the time. What how, what's
(40:02):
your overall feeling about the health of the athletic department
in general right now.
Speaker 8 (40:08):
Yeah, I feel really I feel great. You know, I
feel like we've got a great, slight slate of coaches
that are really across the board, you know, competing and
developing our young men and young women. You know, I
feel like, you know, we talk about winning a lot
in our department, and uh, we embrace that and talk
about the process of winning across the board, not just
(40:28):
with football and the house students basketball, but you know,
it could go on and on with you know, our
swimming program. It's kind of that hidden gem in some
ways that you know, we can compete. Last year we
finished third in the country and the men and fourth
and the women, and I think we've got a chance
to keep going from there. And and when we talk
about winning, it's not just because it's pretty good of
old IU, which it is, but we really feel like
(40:51):
if we want to maximize the experience for our student
athletes in every way, winning is a big, big part
of that. And and the more we talk about it,
the more the more I think our studentatics feel that's
part of our culture that we know we play to win,
and it's okay to say that, and as we do
exit interviews with our student athletes, this isn't a revelation,
but the student athletes who had a chance to compete
(41:12):
for big games and win championships or be able to
really compete at a high level, their experience is so
much better. So winning is a big part of our
culture and something that you know. I'm not a big
I'm talking a lot on this show. It's early in
the morning, late night after the big chen ad meetings
did last two days, but it really we just want
to do the work and it's a process. So I
(41:33):
don't like to over I like to underpromise and over deliver.
I don't like to be a big talker, but we
really winning is super important to us for our student athletes.
Speaker 1 (41:43):
Scott, thanks for your time today. We appreciate the opportunity
to have a chat with you. Continued success throughout the
rest of the school year and we'll talk to you
again soon.
Speaker 8 (41:50):
Appreciate it. Thanks for having me on.
Speaker 2 (41:51):
Thank you Scott.
Speaker 1 (41:53):
As you were listening to the Fan Morning Show and
ninety and one.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
Happy Wednesday, thanks for listening to us.
Speaker 1 (42:02):
However you may be choosing to listen this morning, We'll
get to all that coming up in a minute. Had
a terrific conversation with IU Athletic director Scott Dolson just
a moment ago, and we talk more to college football
right now, because why not. You got the number two
ranked team in the country both in the AP pole
and the coaches pol with the Hoosiers. Pat Forty is
always fun to read. He's always informational, he's always insightful.
(42:23):
He writes at Sports Illustrated and he joins us now
in the Payless Lickers hot line. Good morning, in the
middle of the college football season, Pat Forty, it's got
to be heaven for you right now.
Speaker 7 (42:34):
All we're ripping and running good times. Yes, sir, happy
to be on with.
Speaker 2 (42:37):
You, well, happy to have you.
Speaker 1 (42:38):
We're talking to Scott Dolson just a moment ago from IU,
and we're talking about Kurtzignetti and what he's done and
the brand new contract. And it's interesting. I had seen
one of your most recent columns was about what's Penn
State going to do as they try to replace James Franklin,
And I thought it was interesting that in this ear
and how where we're firing coaches five or six games
into the season, that IU was very proactive in making
(43:00):
sure that they didn't let Kurtzignetti get away. Were you
surprised at all that it took them about three days
to figure that out?
Speaker 7 (43:09):
That was really fast. I mean, that was impressive. I
will say I think several elements go into play there. One,
you could kind of see the Franklin thing coming for
a couple of weeks. Is that very rapidly fell apart.
And secondly, you know Scott Dolson and his people, they're
not stupid. They know they have the hottest coach in
(43:31):
the country and the best coach in the country right now,
and you know, we've got to do what we got
to do to step up there. I think from the
minute they crushed Illinois, it was like, Okay, people are
going to start coming after him even more than they
did last year. Let's be ready when that time comes.
(43:52):
And the second element of that is a Indiana has
something to sell now and be you got a coach
who to be there. You know, I think Signetti was
genuinely appreciative of the fact that at sixty two, after
winning relentlessly for a decade or more, Indiana stepped up
(44:12):
and did and took him. You know and gave him
that shot that he'd wanted to have, that he knew
he could capitalize on. And so I was like, yeah,
you know what, this has been a good relationship.
Speaker 8 (44:21):
You took a.
Speaker 7 (44:22):
Chance on me. I took a chance on you. Let's
keep it going.
Speaker 5 (44:25):
Pat, you you live close enough to Bloomington and certainly
have followed the program I guess from Afar, but not
that far away for years. So I think you could
maybe speak to this. When Kurtz Signetti said last year,
you know, before the Ohio State game, we you know,
I feel like I'm at an emerging superpower in college football.
I think a lot of people just laughed at that statement.
(44:46):
But given the landscape of college football, is he kind
of right of like, you know, the alumni base and
the big ten arms race, and you know the potential
that's there from you know, what donors could do if
they go across the parking lot from basketball to foot ball.
You know, is there a little bit of truth to that?
Speaker 8 (45:04):
Well?
Speaker 7 (45:04):
Sure, I would say this. I would say everyone is
an emerging superpower in this era.
Speaker 9 (45:11):
The that seriously you you throw?
Speaker 7 (45:16):
Sure you throw to get Did TCU play for a
national championship? A couple of years ago. Was that SMU
in the playoff last year?
Speaker 8 (45:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (45:23):
Yeah, I think so. But uh, you throw you throw
together enough money, and you get the right coach and
you get the right group of players, you can have
a run. Now what is a run one year, two years?
I don't know. Uh, but could Indiana sustain it? Theoretically yes,
and and the reasons he mentioned are certainly important. Big
(45:46):
ten membership helps. It helps to be in the Big
ten of the SEC more than the SEC or ACC
or Big twelve. And then a massive alumni base helps.
And if you get the manergize, which we've and I
mean you guys have been around you know this. I've
been going to the Indiana Games for thirty five years.
(46:08):
The level of apathy was incredible. But it's one of
those things where you just give them something and that
can turn around in a hurry, and you got all
this pent up excitement and probably pent up donor money
that now can be activated and put to use. The
only thing Indiana doesn't have, and it's less important than
(46:29):
it used to be, is sitting in like Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania.
There's good players in the state of Indiana, but there's
not the same number, but that matters less now in
a portal era and when players are much more mobile
and less hesitant to go far away from home.
Speaker 6 (46:49):
Pat forty again joining us here on the Pailsica's hot line,
the senior writer at Sports Illustrated. Pat talked about transportal
just there recently. But when you look at what frandom
and was able to do with that quarterback position, what
has been your impression of what he's brought to this
program considering that last year they had a good, really
good college quarterback and Curtis Rourke, and then now I
(47:10):
feel like they've upgraded.
Speaker 7 (47:13):
Oh, they've definitely upgraded. Mendoz is fantastic. I think the
NFL has to be very interested in him. He's got size,
he's got intelligence, he's got an arm, he's quick and
decisive for the most part, and he's really accurate. You know,
probably needs to show a little more downfield for them,
But from a college standpoint, he's outstanding. And I think
(47:36):
he's been put into a great offense with really good receivers,
by the way, who don't drop anything. I mean every
time I see them, they catch all the passes, even
the hard ones. So it's a great setup in great situation.
I saw Mendoza last year at call and really liked
him and thought Indiana was getting an upgrade. Curtis Rourke
(47:56):
was good last year, but in the games that it
really against the high level opponents, I thought he was
sometimes indecisive, sometimes confused, that the line of scrimmage, didn't
see blitzes and wasn't mobile. And I think those are
things that Mendozi is better at all of those and
has a stronger arm. So he's phenomenal and he's right
there at the top of the Heisman race.
Speaker 1 (48:18):
Pat Forty joining us here on the Paylost Lickuers hotline
this morning. Nice of him to stop by. I'll ask
this question. We have a resident fan here, but I'm
also interested in the in the program and a lot of
fans here in Indianapolis. But after a slow start, here
comes Marcus Freeman in Notre Dame. How good can they be?
Speaker 7 (48:35):
Yeah? I think that's one of those teams that the
rest of the country better not let into the playoffs
because they may do what they did last year. You know,
the start, they lost to very good teams and they
lost one game by three points in one game by
one point when they dropped an extra points snap. The
defense wasn't very good at the beginning of the year.
(48:57):
It still has some issues, but it's better and the
offense is outstanding. I mean, Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Preiser,
elite running backs.
Speaker 8 (49:07):
CJ.
Speaker 7 (49:08):
Cars played extremely well a quarterback. They've got some line
injuries that are a bit problematic, but you know, I
look at them and I look at their schedule, and
if they get to ten and two, we'll see what
the competition is, the lay of the land. You know,
if you're a Notre Dame or a Notre Dame PAN,
you got to be heartened watching the losses start to
(49:28):
pile up elsewhere. And that's probably going to continue for
the next five or six weeks. And the more teams lose,
the better you're ten and two will look.
Speaker 8 (49:37):
Now.
Speaker 7 (49:37):
They I think need like USC to finish well, Navy
to keep going, Pittsburgh to keep going, so that those
games mean something and it's not just well, we lost
to two good teams. You've got to have some good
wins on the resume too.
Speaker 5 (49:52):
Pat last one for me, We really appreciate your time
and a busy season I was fortunate to be at
that Notre Dame Indiana playoff game last year. I think
the campus atmosphere is just absolutely through the roof. Do
you think we ever get a point, assuming the playoff
sticks to the current format, which probably not, do you
think we get to a point where the quarterfinal games
would be on campus sites, the top four seeds would
(50:15):
get a chance to host.
Speaker 7 (50:17):
I sure hope, so, you know, and I think as anticipated,
a lot of those kind of schools looked last year
and said we want some of that. We want that
home game and that the home field advantage and the
home atmosphere and everything that that brought. I mean at
Notre Dame, at Texas, at Penn State, and even in
(50:39):
Ohio State when half the fans wanted to mute me.
I was there at that game. That was still a
very raucous environment. So you know, I think it's good
for the sport. The problem is, you know that it
has been tied to the hip with the bowl industry forever,
and undoing that tie is difficult. But I think especially look,
(51:01):
if the playoff gets bigger, which I think, you know,
if it gets bigger than sixteen, they've screwed it up,
which is entirely possible. But the more games you play,
the more expensive it is. Why not play some of
those games at home and then keep your fans from
having to try to travel to four different postseason games.
Speaker 1 (51:23):
Pat, great stuff. Always appreciate talking you. Thanks for getting
up early this morning and being with us. Safe travels man.
Speaker 2 (51:29):
We'll talk to you soon, Okay, my pleasure.
Speaker 8 (51:32):
Guys.
Speaker 7 (51:32):
Thank you,
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