Anytime that a storied program like Indiana enters the coaching carousel, it makes for some uneasy times for programs with desired head coaches.
Despite surviving pressure from Kentucky, Baylor Basketball retained Scott Drew for another season in Waco. His name appears to be making the rounds once again in 2024-25, with pressure from the Indiana Hoosiers.
Baylor’s Scott Drew Appears on Indiana Hoosiers’ Coaching Radar
Last Updated: February 23, 2025 | 3:42 PM
NCAA Basketball: NIT Season Tip-Off Championship
November 24, 2023 | Brooklyn, NY – Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew reacts to a call in the second half against the Florida Gators at the Barclays Center.
Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Whenever a program as historic and high-profile as Indiana begins searching for a new head coach, it naturally sends ripple effects throughout the college basketball world — especially for schools with coaches consistently on the national radar. That’s exactly what’s happening now as Baylor’s head coach, Scott Drew, once again finds himself linked to another top-tier job.
Despite withstanding pressure from the Kentucky Wildcats just last year, Baylor was able to retain Drew for another season in Waco. But in the 2024-25 cycle, the buzz has shifted eastward, with Indiana now making a hard push as it looks to reset its program with a proven winner.
Why Scott Drew Is a Prime Candidate
According to Trevor Andershock of 247Sports, Scott Drew is among the top names on Indiana’s big board — and it’s easy to see why. At 54 years old, Drew is widely respected for transforming Baylor from the depths of the Dave Bliss scandal into a national powerhouse. His resume speaks for itself:
- 2021 NCAA Championship
- Five Sweet Sixteen appearances
- Two Elite Eight runs
- Three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year
- Six straight top-3 finishes in the Big 12 standings
- 15 20-win seasons in the last 17 years
Beyond the accolades, Drew has built a consistent program through elite recruiting and modern, up-tempo offensive schemes. Baylor has ranked in the top 25 nationally in offensive efficiency 12 of the past 13 seasons — and cracked the top 10 in that category seven times since 2007-08.
He’s also been remarkably successful on the recruiting trail, pulling in a mix of high-impact high school prospects and savvy transfer portal additions. Names like Tounde Yessoufou, VJ Edgecombe, Rob Wright, Yves Missi, and Keyonte George show the depth and diversity of talent he’s brought into the program.
The Indiana Coaching Search: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
With Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics) and Dusty May (now at Michigan) officially out of the running, Indiana’s coaching search is narrowing — and turning its attention squarely to Drew. Andershock argues it’s a logical move, noting that Drew brings the winning pedigree, recruiting chops, and leadership needed to revive the Hoosiers’ legacy.
However, Drew isn’t the only Big 12 name being floated around. Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland and Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger are also reportedly on Indiana’s radar. Notably, Jeff Goodman of Field of 68 publicly endorsed Otzelberger as the frontrunner Indiana should pursue, citing his immediate impact in Ames and growing national profile.
Still, Scott Drew’s combination of championship experience, player development, and long-term success makes him arguably the most accomplished coach available — and one Indiana fans are watching closely.
The Coaching Carousel Is Just Heating Up
No matter how things shake out in Bloomington, one thing’s clear: the coaching carousel is officially spinning at full speed. As more programs enter the mix and job openings emerge, top names like Scott Drew will continue to pop up in conversations — especially with the landscape of college basketball shifting so rapidly in the NIL and transfer portal era.
For now, Baylor fans should keep a close eye on Indiana’s decision-making process. If the Hoosiers decide to swing big, Scott Drew may have another tough decision to make — stay loyal to the Bears or take on a new challenge at one of the most iconic programs in college basketball history.
“A national championship-winning coach, Drew, 54, built Baylor from the disaster of the Dave Bliss scandal into a consistent winner that captured the 2021 NCAA title,” 247Sports’ Trevor Andershock wrote. “He has a national title, five Sweet Sixteens, and two Elite Eights. In 2019-20, his team was 26-4 before the NCAA Tournament was canceled due to covid. He has finished at least top 3 in the Big 12 six years in a row. He has been named Big 12 coach of the year three times. Drew’s teams have been top-25 nationally in offensive efficiency 12 of the past 13 years, and top 10 in offensive efficiency seven times since the 2007-08 season.”
“Over the past 17 years, his teams have won 20 or more games 15 times and 25 or more seven times,” Andershock continued. “He has recruited both the transfer portal and elite high school prospects such as Tounde Yessoufou, VJ Edgecombe, Rob Wright, Yves Missi, Keyonte George, and many others, and has strong ties with the loaded prep school circuit.”
Anderson finished his thoughts by saying, “With Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics) and Dusty May (Michigan) out of the picture, it makes a lot of sense to turn the spotlight to Drew.
Other Big 12 names tied to the job have been Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland and Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger, who the Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman endorsed as the clear option for the Hoosiers to pursue.
Regardless, the coaching carousel continues to spin.
