For all his faults -- the temper, the chair-throwing, the histrionics -- Bob Knight ran a clean program. In fact, Indiana hasn't been found guilty of any major NCAA infraction since 1960.

But Indiana's basketball program is also used to winning -- and Knight's successor, Mike Davis, wasn't winning often enough to suit the Hoosier faithful. So Indiana took a gamble, hiring a coach with an excellent track record with wins and losses -- and an existing rap sheet with the NCAA investigators.

Enter Kelvin Sampson.

Sampson was under NCAA investigation when he took the IU job, stemming from violations -- improper phone calls to recruits -- committed while he was head coach at Oklahoma. It wouldn't be long before the same issues resurfaced.

In October of 2007 -- at the start of Sampson's second season in Bloomington, the University reported more than 100 improper phone calls made by Sampson's staff. Assistant coach Rob Senderoff fell on his sword, but no action was taken against Sampson. In February, the university received word of five major recruiting violations stemming from the October incident. Nine days later, Sampson received a $750,000 buyout, ending his tenure as IU head coach.

In the nine months since, nearly every trace of Sampson's tenure at Indiana is gone. The coaching staff. The players. The administrators responsible for his hire. And there are signs of a Hoosier renaissance; new coach Tom Crean's 2009 recruiting class is rated as one of the best in Division I.

But Sampson's legacy remains -- in the NCAA sanctions that will undoubtedly be handed down when the investigation is completed.

Latest Developments

Sampson Fires Back at IU
October 3, 2008
Via a statement from his agent, Kelvin Sampson fires back at Indiana's administration, continues to deny any wrongdoing.
September 30, 2008
The Indianapolis Star details IU's response to the NCAA's "failure to monitor" charge. Long story short, it's "Don't blame us. Blame Sampson."

Won't Get Fooled Again
August 23, 2008
Tom Crean's contract with Indiana reportedly contains "no wiggle room" where conduct is concerned.

"A Risk Not Worth Taking"
July 1, 2008
IU president Michael McRobbie admits that Sampson should never have been hired. You know what they say about hindsight...

Rebuilding the Hoosiers
May 5, 2008
IU announces the departures of Armon Basset, Jamarcus Ellis and DeAndre Thomas from the program. Sampson finds work as an assistant coach with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.

We Know Drama
May 2, 2008
Departing center Eli Holman's meeting with Tom Crean's staff turns ugly; campus police are called.

Hoosiers Get Their Man
April 2, 2008
Tom Crean introduced as new Hoosier coach; JaMarcus Ellis and Armon Basset are dismissed from the team.

Arkansas 86, Indiana 72
March 22, 2008
The Razorbacks put the Hoosiers out of their misery with a first-round NCAA Tournament win.

Dakich Debut
February 24, 2008
Interim coach Dan Dakich leads the Hoosiers to a win over Northwestern. Athletic director issues a blanket "mea culpa" regarding Sampson's tenure, and announces his resignation.

Walkout
February 22, 2008
Several Indiana players protest Sampson's departure -- and Dan Dakich's promotion -- by skipping practice.

When You Lie Down with Dogs...
February 13, 2008
NCAA investigators cite Sampson and the Hoosiers for five "major" recruiting violations.