Brad Stevens can’t avoid it. No matter how much he has managed to avoid the topic since becoming the Boston Celtics’ head coach, many basketball observers believe he’s only biding his time before a return to the college ranks.
At least one analyst — who has no small interest in the matter — thinks that might be wishful thinking.
Dan Dakich, a former Indiana player who now hosts a radio show in Indianapolis, is not convinced Stevens is keeping his options open. While making it clear he would love to see Stevens coaching his Hoosiers, Dakich told The Boston Globe that he has spoken to Stevens and he doesn’t get the sense Stevens feels the tug of his home state.
“I know he enjoys the hell out of the Celtics,” Dakich told the Globe’s Gary Washburn. “I know he enjoys the challenge that is the NBA. I know that. We’ve talked about that. That’s not media (talk). I’m not going to say that ultimately the Indiana job wouldn’t appeal to him, but I’m saying I honestly don’t think people think, ‘Of course he would come back.’
“I bet you Brad probably thought about (going to IU) when he was at Butler, but I would venture a guess he hasn’t given that two thoughts since he’s been with the Celtics. I would bet my life on it.”
Dakich’s words should calm Celtics fans, to a degree. Stevens has been rumored as a successor to Mike Krzyzewski at Duke for what seems like forever. But for now it sounds like Stevens is committed to rebuilding the Celtics long-term. Home is home, though, and there is no saying whether the pull could become stronger with time.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
