1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: Kevin Bone with all the angst and upset we're displaying 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:06,960 Speaker 1: over the Indianapolis Colts, their failure to reach the playoffs again, 3 00:00:07,560 --> 00:00:10,280 Speaker 1: decision to bring everything back and run it back one 4 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:12,360 Speaker 1: more time, and we'll talk about that all day long. 5 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:15,200 Speaker 1: Let's let a little sunshine into the studio, shall we 6 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 1: a little sunshine into the live of sports fans here? 7 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:21,760 Speaker 1: As Indiana University is fourteen and zero on the football 8 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: field right now. They got a big win in conference 9 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: in basketball yesterday. They are cleaning up in the portal 10 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,560 Speaker 1: right now. All things good coming out of Bloomington right now. 11 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:32,960 Speaker 1: And that's why we thought we'd check in with Scott Dolson, 12 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: the athletic director for the Hoosiers, this morning, and he 13 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: joined us on the Payless Lookers hotline right now. Good morning, Scott, 14 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 1: things are going okay in your neck of the woods. 15 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:43,280 Speaker 2: How much fun are you having right now? 16 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:46,160 Speaker 3: Well, good morning and thanks for having me on. And yeah, 17 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 3: it's been it's been great. Obviously, you know, a lot 18 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 3: more work to do in a lot of stuff going 19 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 3: on on just today that keeps us busy, but it's 20 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 3: been awesome. It can be better. Fans have been incredible. 21 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 4: Scott can and most importantly for us, thank you for 22 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 4: the time. I know you're a super, super busy individual, 23 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 4: no problem at all. We really appreciate you hopping on. Obviously, 24 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 4: we talked with you after the Oregon game, and now 25 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:11,679 Speaker 4: we talk with you before the Oregon game. But let's 26 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 4: go back to the Rose Bull. You mentioned the IU fans. 27 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 4: It certainly felt like Memorial Stadium West out there on TV. 28 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:20,680 Speaker 4: When you look back on everything that transpired on New 29 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 4: Year's Day, what will be maybe your lasting memory of 30 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 4: witnessing that game and that experience in such an iconic venue. 31 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, it'll really be two things. It'll definitely be the 32 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 3: bus ride into the game, believe it or not. You know, 33 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 3: I'll never forget coming in. There are five buses, the 34 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 3: team busses. You know, it's a big, kind kind of 35 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 3: escorted deal you come in. And so I was on 36 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 3: bus five and as we pull in, as we're getting 37 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 3: close to the stadium, literally IU fans are lyned on 38 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 3: both sides of the street. And I'm not just talking 39 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:57,480 Speaker 3: about just single line, but just deep and just fans 40 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 3: running up to the street, just cheering, going crazy. And 41 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 3: then as we pulled up to a stop, there were 42 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:06,600 Speaker 3: just IU fans everywhere and who's your nation? Was just 43 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:08,919 Speaker 3: so it was it was crazy. They were just screaming 44 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:12,880 Speaker 3: and yelling, and as we got off the bus, it 45 00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:14,839 Speaker 3: was it was just a scene that I just will 46 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 3: never forget. And actually I talked to one of our 47 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,359 Speaker 3: assistant coaches yesterday and he said the same thing. It 48 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 3: really gave us momentum going into the game, just that 49 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:26,679 Speaker 3: that feel of the fans, and so that was I'll 50 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:28,360 Speaker 3: never forget that. I mean, I've been around for a 51 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 3: long time, but just seeing just our all of our fans, 52 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 3: the passion, the support, the energy was unbelievable really and 53 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:39,239 Speaker 3: just I can't even adequately describe it. And then during 54 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 3: the fourth quarter, I was down on the sideline and 55 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:44,800 Speaker 3: just looking up at the stands and you know, they 56 00:02:44,919 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 3: played John Mellencamp hurt so good and the whole crowd 57 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:51,679 Speaker 3: was just singing it. And that just the joy and 58 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:54,919 Speaker 3: the emotion out of our fans was we took over 59 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 3: that stadium. I mean there had to be we were 60 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:00,519 Speaker 3: guessing maybe sixty thousand IU fans in the fans. And 61 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 3: I don't mean to ramble on it, but I just 62 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 3: tell you I cannot take our fans enough. I mean, 63 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 3: it costs a lot of money, you know, a lot 64 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 3: of sacrifices that are made to support us, and to 65 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 3: be out there and show that type of support was 66 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 3: it was emotional. It was unbelievable. 67 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:19,640 Speaker 1: It's been an emotional time for anybody connected to Indiana, 68 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 1: Indiana football, fans of the of the program, new fans 69 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 1: for the program, you name it. 70 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 2: Here's the question. I keep thinking. 71 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 1: Though you've hired and had to fire coaches over the years, 72 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 1: we see it happen at programs every year, all the time. Honestly, 73 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 1: when you deep down think about it, what was the 74 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:44,160 Speaker 1: moment you said to yourself, kurtz Agnatty, this guy's different. 75 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 1: There's something different happening here. It's not a hope that 76 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:51,400 Speaker 1: I hope he's different. When did you know this guy's different. 77 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think there's just a couple of moments, honestly. 78 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 3: I mean, I do. I've talked about this before the 79 00:03:57,480 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 3: first time I talked to him on the phone. You know, 80 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 3: we our homework, we had, you know, a whole plan 81 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:04,200 Speaker 3: put together, and he checked on the boxes. But just 82 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 3: talking to him on the phone, I do remember hanging 83 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 3: up and calling our president President went and who's been 84 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 3: amazing and just saying, hey, this guy is different. I 85 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 3: just had a feeling. I just really liked him and 86 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 3: liked the just authenticity about him. And so I definitely 87 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 3: remember at that point and then when this is is 88 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:26,799 Speaker 3: really interesting, but when we picked him up at the airport, 89 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 3: so when we named him coach or everybody knew is 90 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 3: gonna be coached and the press conference on that Friday. 91 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:37,679 Speaker 3: I flew out early that morning from Bloomington to Virginia 92 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:39,840 Speaker 3: to pick him up and his wife, the Neett, and 93 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 3: a few other staff members. And when we got on 94 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:46,040 Speaker 3: the plane, right away he had this list and he 95 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 3: was saying, hey, you know, we need to get a 96 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,160 Speaker 3: list of when all the current coaches are on the 97 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 3: staff right now, to rank our players one through fifty, 98 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:56,920 Speaker 3: our returning players one through fifty, and then I need 99 00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 3: somebody to take all those rankings and tabulate them to 100 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 3: together and get an average. So I know who what 101 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 3: the average rank is of all the returning players. And 102 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 3: I remember sitting there he's going through this list. It 103 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 3: was really calm, but you had this plan and weren't 104 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:14,760 Speaker 3: thinking how smart that was, and just how he absolutely 105 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 3: you know, you say you want to hit the ground running. 106 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 3: He had a plan for everything. And I remember thinking 107 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:22,560 Speaker 3: on the plane coming back to Bloomington to get off 108 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 3: to start that day, the famous day that ended with 109 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 3: him on the basketball court, you know, when we introduced 110 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 3: him to the fans. But just the plan, I thought, Wow, 111 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 3: because I've been around a long time, it's seen a 112 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 3: lot of transition. He just had everything lined up in 113 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:39,839 Speaker 3: a way that was just super smart. And then I'll 114 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:41,479 Speaker 3: say one last thing, and I don't mean the Ramblott, 115 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:45,679 Speaker 3: but when we played at UCLA last year and again 116 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 3: big game for us, kind of his first big game, 117 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:50,920 Speaker 3: and I remember during the game was back and forth 118 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:52,480 Speaker 3: a little bit, and then we just kind of took 119 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 3: over it towards the end and made some plays, and 120 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:57,480 Speaker 3: I remember distinctly thinking, in my mind, it's just different. 121 00:05:57,720 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 3: I mean, just the way we handled our business, the 122 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:03,680 Speaker 3: way we kind of finished that game. So anyway, those 123 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:05,480 Speaker 3: are three things that I bring up is where I 124 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 3: really felt like this was different. 125 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 4: So the voice of the athletic director of the number 126 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 4: one team in the land that would be college football, 127 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:14,840 Speaker 4: the semi final coming up in the Peach Bowl on 128 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,919 Speaker 4: Friday night, Scott Dolson with us here on the Payless 129 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:20,600 Speaker 4: Slickers hotline as you started, you know, going back to 130 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:22,599 Speaker 4: that day one, if you will, of the Signetti era, 131 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:25,600 Speaker 4: Scott and you bring up obviously the infamous you know 132 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 4: scene on the basketball floor. It almost seemed like that 133 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:31,599 Speaker 4: was maybe not something on Signetti's list when he hopped 134 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:33,720 Speaker 4: on that plane, Like you know, over the course of 135 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 4: the day, I think he shared the story, he kind 136 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 4: of got a little wind of like, oh boy, I 137 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 4: need to come in here. And you know, I've compared 138 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:43,280 Speaker 4: it to Will Smith and Hitch. I don't know if 139 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 4: that lands totally well, but you know, I need to 140 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 4: make sure that people realize I am a new voice here. 141 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 4: I guess what were your reactions when he did take 142 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 4: the mic and he did go a little wwe on 143 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 4: the entire fan base and really probably the entire college 144 00:06:59,440 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 4: football name. 145 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:04,360 Speaker 3: You know, Honestly, I liked it. I mean I liked 146 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 3: the fact that he was just just putting it out 147 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 3: there that it's a new day. And I remember him saying, 148 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 3: you know, specifically, you know, I've never taking a back 149 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 3: teach to anyone else, plan started doing it now, and 150 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 3: you know, he it was just a pure emotion that 151 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:20,560 Speaker 3: that was coming out by him. And I tell people 152 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:22,920 Speaker 3: this all the time about him, which people kind of 153 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 3: wrote a project. I think I'm just saying it. He's 154 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 3: really a humble guy. He's got no ego. He doesn't 155 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 3: and people will be like, oh, you know, I see 156 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,400 Speaker 3: how he is. He's cocky, He's not. He believes he 157 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:36,560 Speaker 3: knows how to win, for sure, he's actually you know, 158 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 3: he's shown it. But he basically he said this during 159 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 3: his interview and everything he said during his interview, he's 160 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 3: really been absolutely one hundred percent then on and how 161 00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 3: he is and what he does. He just loved his 162 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 3: family and loves the coach football, and he believes he 163 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:53,800 Speaker 3: knows how to win. And he's just very very authentic. 164 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:56,960 Speaker 3: But in terms of like me, just even a athletic director, 165 00:07:57,160 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 3: dealt with a lot of coaches, and I've never dealt 166 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 3: with any any better. I mean, he's just great to 167 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:05,240 Speaker 3: work with. He's very uh, like I said, he's kind 168 00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 3: of its just a simple person to be honest with you. 169 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 3: But but I think that back to the on the 170 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 3: court when he was saying that he did feel like 171 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 3: this kind of Hey, I've got to wake people up here. 172 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:20,120 Speaker 3: Do they really want to. I think they had frustrated 173 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 3: him that it felt like people were saying to him, wow, 174 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 3: you know, good luck, you know you took that job, 175 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:27,080 Speaker 3: and it kind of made him mad. And that's when 176 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 3: he said the Google me I win. It was the 177 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 3: same thing. He's in the press conference and people just 178 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 3: kept saying, how in the world are you going to Indiana? 179 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 3: What are you going to do? And he says, I 180 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:38,480 Speaker 3: got the same question, you know, six times, and finally 181 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:41,719 Speaker 3: it's like, just it just frustrated him. Of course we 182 00:08:41,800 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 3: can win here, and so it's great that he was 183 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 3: able to convey that and get people's attention that way. 184 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,080 Speaker 4: Scott at almost every step of the way, whether it's 185 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:52,160 Speaker 4: the podium of the Rose Bowl, Big Ten title, et cetera, 186 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:54,839 Speaker 4: et cetera. When Kurtz and he's asked about, you know, 187 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 4: whatever value football program, he mentions you, he mentions Pam 188 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 4: Witten and in the vision and if we can talk 189 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 4: about Pam Witten for a second here, when you first 190 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 4: met with her, how quickly you know, kennessall State, I 191 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 4: don't think people necessarily view that maybe in whatever you know, 192 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,439 Speaker 4: mega college football landscape, how quickly did you realize that 193 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:16,199 Speaker 4: from a president point of view, as the landscape of 194 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 4: college football was just starting to change the very early stages, 195 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:22,199 Speaker 4: did you realize from her that it was going to 196 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 4: be a major investment for you guys as a university. 197 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:28,319 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was. It was, you know, honestly during that 198 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 3: really early in that first conversation with her, and it 199 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 3: was just so impressive because she you know, obviously there's 200 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 3: there's she's got a massive job, and there's so many 201 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 3: things that are that are that are in so many 202 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 3: ways more important than athletics that at the same time, 203 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 3: she she gets it and she understands what athletics can 204 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 3: do for the overall university, the community. And so right 205 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:52,200 Speaker 3: away during that first conversation, she said, you know, we're 206 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:54,240 Speaker 3: going to be everything we do, We're gonna we're going 207 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 3: to try to be excellent and go to the highest levels, 208 00:09:57,040 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 3: and that includes football. And you know, we just started 209 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 3: conversation about what that look like, what can we do 210 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 3: and she asked me to put together their plan to 211 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 3: really your football to a consistent level and without that. 212 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 3: You know, I've said this a lot, and I appreciate 213 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 3: you bringing that up because you know, and she's doing 214 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 3: so many things around the campus and all of our 215 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 3: campuses and really just transformational things for university. But without 216 00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 3: that and her really saying to me, hey, I support that, 217 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:28,520 Speaker 3: let's figure this out. Uh, you know, coach, they wouldn't 218 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 3: be here, we wouldn't be having this conversation. So it 219 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:34,480 Speaker 3: does really start with her and her vision, and she 220 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 3: just understands, particularly during where we are with college athletics 221 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 3: and with the conference rey alignment and all the things 222 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 3: going on, it was important that, you know, football is 223 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:49,800 Speaker 3: the foundation of the Big Ten. It's it's you know, 224 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:51,840 Speaker 3: it doesn't mean that we don't care about the other programs, 225 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:53,839 Speaker 3: but you have to be strong in football to be 226 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 3: a valued member of the Big Ten. So that was 227 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:58,719 Speaker 3: super important in a lot of ways. So yeah, I 228 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 3: just can't thank her enough for her for we would 229 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 3: not be here today, Scott. 230 00:11:02,840 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 2: Let's move to the here and now. 231 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 1: Obviously getting ready for a semi final game against Oregon 232 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 1: on Friday night. 233 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 2: We've talked about a lot that a lot. 234 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 1: Obviously, but now the transfer portal window has opened and 235 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:17,920 Speaker 1: we want to talk about building the foundation. 236 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 2: It's one thing to have a one or two year 237 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 2: run where you. 238 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: Win a lot of football games, but all of a sudden, 239 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 1: this transfer portal is opening and Indiana's getting players that 240 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:32,120 Speaker 1: used to just go to Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, State, Michigan. 241 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,559 Speaker 2: Talk to me about the foundation that's. 242 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 1: Being laid here for this football program right now, that 243 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:39,959 Speaker 1: it's not just a flash in the pan, that this 244 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 1: has got momentum that will carry forward. 245 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 2: How do you feel about that and where's that coming from? 246 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, I really think it's back to kind 247 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:50,480 Speaker 3: of when coaching got here, and he's real process oriented 248 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 3: on process oriented, and I think we've got the foundation 249 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:56,640 Speaker 3: in a place for sustaining success. And it doesn't mean 250 00:11:56,679 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 3: we think we're the smartest people in the room or 251 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:01,679 Speaker 3: we're just being complacent. Got this figured out. I think 252 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 3: it's just a lot of hard work and really sticking 253 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 3: to our plan and the reality is that results are 254 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:11,600 Speaker 3: the results, right, And I think that as recruits see 255 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 3: players develop, as recruits see the success on the field, 256 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:18,959 Speaker 3: you know, when you win, kind of everybody wins, and 257 00:12:19,360 --> 00:12:22,439 Speaker 3: I think that is really you feel that momentum building 258 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:25,439 Speaker 3: and it's easy to see it, it's hard to attain it, 259 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:30,079 Speaker 3: but we're absolutely paranoid about not not losing that and 260 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 3: to continue to absolutely work and just try to figure 261 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:36,679 Speaker 3: out what's next and looking around the corner and and 262 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 3: again not we think more about what we need to 263 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 3: do than about what we've done. And it's all sounds 264 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 3: sort of cliche is and I don't mean for that 265 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:49,079 Speaker 3: to sound that way, but you know, it's just it's 266 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 3: just a lot of work that it really has gone into. 267 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:54,319 Speaker 3: So when you look when you see the portal results, 268 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:58,199 Speaker 3: you know, that's really just a continuation of of what 269 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:00,719 Speaker 3: coach Sig brought here. And in terms of this is 270 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:02,959 Speaker 3: this is how we run the program, This is what 271 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:05,800 Speaker 3: we do, This is how we develop young people, and 272 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 3: we still believe it or not. You know, I had 273 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 3: meetings on Saturday with recruiting, with football recruits we are 274 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:12,559 Speaker 3: here or on their visits, and you know, I talk 275 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:16,960 Speaker 3: a ton about the whole picture. We talk about academics, 276 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 3: we talk about what we do for the whole person. 277 00:13:19,880 --> 00:13:22,320 Speaker 3: All those things still matter. And I met with one 278 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 3: of the parents who it was really just relieved that, 279 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 3: you know, we don't want this to be transactional. It's 280 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 3: not an auction. We're just bringing players in and trying 281 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 3: that if it's a fitting war, then that's not you 282 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:35,240 Speaker 3: know what we're really interested in. We want young men 283 00:13:35,280 --> 00:13:36,599 Speaker 3: that want to be a part of our program to 284 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 3: be developed and to have a transformational experience. And that's 285 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 3: what it's really all about here. 286 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 4: And that's a voice of Scott Nelson, the IU Athletic Director, 287 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 4: gracious with this time here as things will shift to 288 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:49,560 Speaker 4: what I assume would be Memorial Stadium South, I remember 289 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 4: being the Georgia Dome back in twenty twelve at that 290 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 4: Sweet sixteen game. There will be a lot of cream 291 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 4: and Crimson in Lanta coming up on Friday. But Scott, 292 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:59,280 Speaker 4: last one from me, and I apologize if it's kind 293 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:02,600 Speaker 4: of a lazy quotes given your background. But Don Fischer 294 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:05,199 Speaker 4: was on our airwaves a couple of weeks back and 295 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:07,839 Speaker 4: he mentioned that you know, when he gets ready to 296 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 4: call an AYU football game, he has the feeling right 297 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 4: now of what he had for so many years calling 298 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 4: Bob Knight basketball games, of we are going to win, 299 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 4: like as simple as that. So I ask you, as 300 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:23,800 Speaker 4: you know, a former manager, of course of coach Night, 301 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 4: do you see any similarities between him and Kurt Signetti's analie. 302 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 3: It's a great question, and I think Fish was exactly right. 303 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:36,920 Speaker 3: And I definitely do. I definitely do. And one way 304 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 3: I would describe it when I was I was a 305 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:41,600 Speaker 3: manager from eighty five to eighty eight and to one 306 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:43,880 Speaker 3: of my best friends is Brian Swallow who's on the team, 307 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:46,800 Speaker 3: and I remember Brian and I talking at one point 308 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:50,040 Speaker 3: and Brian said that in the locker room and this 309 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:52,120 Speaker 3: is that's reminiscent thing about the days, and he said, 310 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 3: there was never a game ever, it didn't matter who 311 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 3: was on the other team and how good they were, 312 00:14:57,120 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 3: where the other team was ranked. He said, there was 313 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 3: never ever a game that we didn't feel like we 314 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 3: were going to win. We just need to execute the plan. 315 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:05,560 Speaker 3: And he always felt like we were going to win. 316 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 3: And so I compare that feeling to where we are 317 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 3: right now. There's a confidence and I feel it with 318 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:14,280 Speaker 3: our players, and I've felt it really since they got here. 319 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 3: It's just amazing that I think they just trust the process, 320 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 3: they trust the game plan and that whole you know, hey, 321 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 3: we're not playing or again, we're playing ourselves. We're playing 322 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 3: our game plan. It's an execution challenge. We needed to 323 00:15:28,600 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 3: execute better than they execute. And that's really what I 324 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 3: grew up with and what kind of coach Knight how 325 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 3: he managed AU basketball, and so it's a great comparison. 326 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 3: There's certainly there are different sports, but at the same time, 327 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:45,280 Speaker 3: I think, you know, great coaching and great preparation is 328 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:48,080 Speaker 3: the same regards to what you're playing. And so I 329 00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 3: think that's a great comparison. And I think about that 330 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 3: a lot, and I think about it with all of 331 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:55,560 Speaker 3: our programs and how to develop a winning mentality and 332 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 3: winning program not just a one hit wonder with some 333 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 3: talent that maybe gets together for long year. 334 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 1: Scott, last thing for me and then then we'll let 335 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 1: you go. And you have been gracious with your time. 336 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: We appreciate that. 337 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 2: What's your early report card so far in coach debrees 338 00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 2: and how basketball is going. 339 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:13,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, he's been great. You know, he's been a great fit. 340 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 3: And that's what we really were looking for. It's really twofold, 341 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:20,600 Speaker 3: you know. The basketball is obviously super important in establishing 342 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 3: our culture and making certain that what we wanted with 343 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:27,320 Speaker 3: the coach when we hired Darren is really someone who 344 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:31,560 Speaker 3: kind of modernized our program, modernized the modern offense that 345 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:33,480 Speaker 3: kids want to play with, kind of an old school 346 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 3: defensive mentality, play hard character in the locker at a 347 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 3: lot of a lot of those qualities. At the same time, 348 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:44,640 Speaker 3: Dariness really fit in just in terms of our community, 349 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:48,040 Speaker 3: just around the department. He's been a great fit. So 350 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 3: I feel like we're building momentum there and again just 351 00:16:52,760 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 3: like for football, and we want to establish a real 352 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 3: foundation for the program to keep building on every year 353 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 3: and really comp and the way that's going. And I 354 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:04,119 Speaker 3: love working with Darren, and again he's just been a 355 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:04,879 Speaker 3: great fit for us. 356 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:06,520 Speaker 2: Thanks so much. 357 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: Scott Dawson, Athletic Director, Indiana University. Great to talk to 358 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 1: you this morning. Have fun in Atlanta on Friday night. 359 00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: We'll be there with you in spirit. 360 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:17,399 Speaker 3: Well, thank you for having me on. And I'll say 361 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:19,399 Speaker 3: again just thanks so much for who's your nation for 362 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 3: their support, because it is that alignment does include our 363 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 3: fans as well. It's everybody, all of us together, I 364 00:17:25,400 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 3: do believe, and you could feel it last week and Pasadena. 365 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 3: I do think we could do special things and just 366 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 3: all of us kind of pulling together, and our fans 367 00:17:34,160 --> 00:17:37,080 Speaker 3: have been unbelievable. Just can't thank them enough. So let's 368 00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:39,360 Speaker 3: keep this thing, keep this thing rolling. Thanks for having 369 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:40,480 Speaker 3: me on, guys, I really appreciate it