According to Vince Greer of The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Tony Bennett said thanks but no thanks to the Hoosiers. Here’s his blog post:

“Just got off the phone with Tony Bennett. He called to let me know - and you - that he had preliminary talks with Indiana today, but decided to tell them no, that he was staying at WSU. More in a minute”.

And now the circus REALLY begins. You do realize, with the general moronosis of the IU administration, the guy below will be the next Hoosiers coach.

Crayons taste like purple!

UPDATE, 6:41 P.M.: Here’s Greer’s fuller post. Bennett said IU called him Saturday night, no job was ever offered (contradicting the Jeff Goodman story), and also said there were no other jobs he was interested (which will be tested if California, South Carolina or LSU come calling). Now, the Bennett quotes:

“I had an exploratory conversation with Indiana,” said Bennett Sunday afternoon, “and I am not going to pursue the Indiana job. Bennett… didn’t say whom he talked with, but added “they made contact last night and they went through the proper procedures by contacting (WSU athletic director) Jim Sterk and, like I said, I had an exploratory conversation with them.”

So there you go. Tardy, are you available?

UPDATE, 6:52 PM: And to the next chapter: The Bloomington Herald-Times blog says the next guy up is Xavier’s Sean Miller. Interesting tid bit:

“Well, Xavier’s Sean Miller has been informed, according to a source, through the back channels that Indiana will find a way to pay the $2 million buyout in his contract if he’s interested in becoming Kelvin Sampson’s replacement. But, as of this afternoon, Miller had not officialy been approached by anyone from IU.”

All indications are Miller is not interested, but maybe that was because he thought IU couldn’t afford the $2 million buyout. Now?