Glass gives Crean a vote of confidence

BLOOMINGTON -- On a Friday that saw coaching changes at St. John's and Tennessee, Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean retained the support of Fred Glass, his director of athletics.

But, in a lengthy statement sent to The Indianapolis Star, Glass also admitted that, "while from a team perspective, there were certainly some positives this year, from a program perspective, we are not where we want to be."

Crean's job security has been a topic of widespread debate for several weeks, after this season's 15-4 start gave way to a disastrous February and March, and saw IU lose five of its last six games.

Glass has been publicly supportive of his seventh-year men's basketball coach, unwavering even in the face of fan frustration and angst. He told The Star on Friday that he shares those fans' high expectations for a program that has won five national championships, though none in the last 28 years.

"My goals for this program are to perenially contend for and to win multiple Big Ten championships, regularly go deep in the NCAA tournament and win our next national championship," Glass said. "Be elite, if you will. As a lifelong Hoosier and IU basketball fan, alumnus and current AD, nobody wants that more than me.

"Coach Crean's status should be based on his ability to achieve those goals going forward, not what he has or hasn't done in the past. Because I believe in the team he has assembled and is assembling, his leadership of it and their ability to start achieving our program goals, I continue to support Tom Crean as our coach."

Glass' support remains firm in the wake of a 20-14 season that included a one-game stay in the NCAA tournament. It's also not based, he said, on the approximately $11 million Indiana would owe Crean in compensation if it were to remove him this spring. Speculation has suggested the size of any such buyout package is Glass' primary deterrent.

"Tom Crean is the coach here because I believe the future is bright and he can lead us to our goals, not because of the buyout in that contract," Glass said.

The offseason since has been busy — two players from this season's roster have both elected to transfer away from Indiana, in search of more playing time.

On Friday, the program confirmed freshman forward Max Hoetzel's decision to transfer. Hoetzel joins sophomore guard Stanford Robinson, whose departure was announced Wednesday.

"We were always impressed with Max's upside and potential but unfortunately in his view it did not turn into the extended minutes he wanted," Crean said in Friday's press release. "He would like to find a clear cut opportunity to play more and we hope he finds that. He is a hard worker who we hope will fulfill his potential and have the chance to play closer to his family."

Hoetzel, originally from Calabasas, Calif., played in 31 games this season, averaging 7.7 minutes and 2.4 points per game.

"I loved my time here at Indiana and can't thank Coach Crean enough for this opportunity," said Hoetzel. "I want to find a school where I can have a bigger impact on the court. Hopefully, it will be somewhere my family can see me play more often."

Crean said near the end of the season that he would've preferred to redshirt Hoetzel, but that Devin Davis' season-ending injury, suffered in a Nov. 1 car accident, wouldn't allow that. Robinson and Hoetzel are the fourth and fifth scholarship players to transfer away from Indiana in the last two seasons.

Because of this week's departures, the Hoosiers now have space under the 13-scholarship limit to fit 2015 signees Juwan Morgan and OG Anunoby.

Crean and his staff are still actively recruiting post players in the current senior class, including 7-foot forward Thon Maker and 6-10 forward Thomas Bryant. Both are considered five-star prospects by recruiting service 247Sports, and Bryant is a McDonald's All American. They both visited for Indiana's final regular-season game earlier this month, against Michigan State.

Glass said neither Robinson's nor Hoetzel's departure impacted his support for Crean.

"Coach Crean has five years on his contract," Glass said. "I don't expect him to go anywhere, and I don't want him to go anywhere."

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.