Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.
Indiana hiring Woodson
Brad Stevens, Thad Matta, Porter Moser. A bundle of names were thrown out as the potential new hire as Indiana's basketball coach.
But on Sunday, the Hoosiers have reportedly gone to the NBA well for their new leader. But it's not Stevens. Instead, they are hiring New York Knicks assistant Mike Woodson, the Indianapolis Star's Zach Osterman reports.
Woodson scored more than 2,000 points during his college career as a Hoosier and has spent his coaching career in the NBA as the Atlanta Hawks (2004-2010) and New York Knicks head coach (2012-14).
In addition to Woodson taking on head coaching duties, the Hoosiers hired Matta as their new associate athletics director for men's basketball administration.
Alvarez retiring
ESPN reports that longtime Wisconsin head coach and athletic director Barry Alvarez is set to announce his retirement in the coming weeks.
Alvarez spent 16 years as Wisconsin football's head coach (1990-2005), becoming a legend by leading the Badgers to a 72-4 mark during that span, winning Big Ten coach of the Year twice. Alvarez then spent the past two decades, from April 2004 to now, serving as Wisconsin's athletic director.
Alvarez is the longest-tenured athletic director in the Big Ten. His retirement means that Ohio State's Gene Smith will take over that distinction.
The retirement of Wisconsin A.D. Barry Alvarez will leave Ohio States Gene Smith as the longest-tenured athletic director in the Big Ten.
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) March 27, 2021
49ers move up in draft
The ultimate landing spot for Justin Fields is among the most enticing storylines of this year's NFL draft. We may be getting a clearer picture of where Fields will wind up.
The San Francisco 49ers traded up to the No. 3 overall spot in the draft, and there are many who believe it's a move that was made in order to select Fields.
Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Fields are widely projected to be the top-four picks this year, in some order. The 49ers are one of the top teams that Fields could go to as many believe he is a great fit under Kyle Shanahan's offensive system.
ICYMI
Former Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade has seen his draft stock fall far over the past year, but he is still hopeful to make a strong impression in the pros.
In the latest installment of Shaun Wade’s Journey to the NFL, he told Eleven Warriors that he will be holding his own pro day at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on April 14 due to a lingering turf toe that still hasn’t fully recovered.
“My toe still has been bothering me,” Wade said. “Even though when I do it April 14th, it probably still is gonna mess with me, but I’m just trying to make sure I’m ready.
Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington will become a defensive coordinator some day. That day nearly came sooner than expected when Tennessee attempted to hire him away. However, Washington said this week that the time was not right to move on from the Buckeyes.
“Yeah, I do want to become a coordinator. I do want to be a head coach. But I feel like timing’s important. I’m fortunate to be able to use that as a factor in the equation. I don’t have to jump at anything,” Washington said. “And I’m not saying Tennessee’s that. That’s a great place, great program, great tradition. I just felt for me personally, it was the best decision for me right now to be where I’m at. And I feel confident that making that decision will put me in position when that time comes.”
“It Was Time to Say Something”: E.J. Liddell Explains Response To Hateful Social Media Attacks
After its upset loss to Oral Roberts in the NCAA Tournament, E.J. Liddell was the victim of hateful social media messages. This week, Liddell met with the media to discuss the online attacks, saying that enough was enough.
“I just wanted to use my voice a little bit,” Liddell said. “I've been kind of quiet about it. I just keep pushing because I have pretty tough skin when it comes to criticism. But that wasn't constructive criticism. It was just brutal and hardcore. It just didn't sit right with me.”
Up next
- Monday-Friday, March 29-April 2: Ohio State football continues spring practice with sessions Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and media availability Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
- Tuesday, March 30: Ohio State's pro day for NFL draft prospects.
- Friday, April 2: NCAA women's gymnastics regionals in Morgantown, West Virginia.
- Thursday, September 2: Ryan Day's Buckeyes host Minnesota in the season-opener.
- Saturday, November 27: The Game. Ann Arbor, Michigan.
