Indiana basketball coaching search profile: Scott Drew

Mike Woodson will step down as IU basketball coach after the 2024-25 season. Athletic director Scott Dolson is currently searching for the program’s 31st head coach.

Inside the Hall will examine many of the candidates being discussed for the job over the coming days and weeks. Our second profile takes a look at Baylor coach Scott Drew.

Previously: Dusty May

In 2003, Scott Drew took over a perennial bottom-feeder Baylor program and transformed it into a postseason machine, most notably winning a national title in 2021. Drew’s personal and familial ties to the state of Indiana make him an optimal candidate for IU’s opening.

The 54-year-old grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Butler and soon after joined his legendary father, Homer, on the Valparaiso staff. After serving as an assistant for nine seasons, Homer retired, and Scott took over for one year before heading to Baylor.

In his lone season at the helm, Valpo won the regular-season title of the then-titled Mid-Continent Conference but lost to IUPUI in the conference tournament and missed out on the NCAA tournament.

Drew took the job at Baylor despite assuming the aftermath of an unprecedented scandal – Baylor player Patrick Dennehy was murdered by his teammate – and outgoing coach Dave Bliss committed several NCAA infractions, forcing his resignation. Drew had a seemingly impossible task to rebuild at an already tough job.

Dealing with the program’s self-imposed probation and reduced scholarships, Drew compiled a 36-69 record in Waco over his first four seasons. But in year five, he compiled a 21-11 record and earned an 11-seed in the 2008 NCAA tournament. It was Baylor’s first tournament appearance since 1988.

In the 2009-10 season, the Bears went 28-8 and made the Elite Eight. This was the first time the program had advanced that far since 1950, when the tournament was an eight-team format. Before then, Baylor had never advanced past the first round in any other format.

After missing any postseason the following year, Drew’s Bears have made a postseason tournament every year since 2011-12 (not including the 2020 COVID year) and 10 of the 12 have been NCAA tournament bids.

In 2020-21, Drew guided Baylor to a 13-1 record in Big 12 play and notched the program’s first regular-season conference championship in 71 years.

The success didn’t stop there. Drew’s team steamrolled its NCAA tournament opponents, winning all games but one by double digits. The Bears topped previously unbeaten Gonzaga in the championship game, winning 86-70 in a no-contest. The result protected the 1976 Indiana team’s legacy as the last team to go undefeated.

In the three seasons since, Drew’s teams have all fallen in the round of 32 in the tournament. This year, the Bears are 16-10 as of Feb. 21 and are projected to make the postseason.

In his 21 seasons with Baylor, Drew has 12 total NCAA tournament appearances with a 20-11 record in March Madness. In addition to his national championship, Drew has two Elite Eight appearances and two Sweet Sixteen finishes.

This season, Baylor ranks 12th in KenPom in adjusted offensive efficiency and 65th in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Although now seen as distant, Drew would carry some baggage with him – including an incident tied with IU.

In a recruiting battle with the Hoosiers over Hanner Mosquera-Perea – the No. 45 prospect in 2012 – one of Drew’s assistants allegedly threatened to deport Perea back to his native country, Colombia, if he didn’t choose Baylor. Perea eventually played three seasons at Indiana before transferring.

In April 2012, Baylor was placed on probation for three years for recruiting violations. The NCAA stated that Drew failed to monitor the program.

While Drew’s contract details aren’t concrete (Baylor is a private school), USA Today reported a $5.1 million salary in 2023-24. In April 2024, Jeff Goodman reported Drew’s buyout number was $4.5 million.

Last season, Drew opted to remain in Waco after overtures from Kentucky and Louisville. While it’s unlikely he would leave his post at Baylor, the IU opening is one of the few realistic opportunities he could entertain.

(Photo credit: Baylor Athletics)

Category: Coaching search

Filed to: Scott Drew