Tom Crean's firing Thursday hit home to those who regularly wonder around the Cook Hall and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall facilities.
That includes head women's basketball coach Teri Moren.
Moren, in the midst of finishing up her third season at Indiana, paused for 10 seconds to gather her thoughts after being asked about Crean following a 71-58 WNIT win over Ball State.
She pressed her hands against her lips and teared up while thanking him for what he's done for her and her program. Her complete statement is transcribed below:
“It’s been an interesting day. Tom is a friend of mine, and so is that staff. I didn’t matter if it was Tom. This is the time of year that’s really difficult because, not just Tom, but I have some other coaching friends in our game, the women’s game, that are not at their respective universities right now. And that’s tough. What we do is difficult.
But one of the things about Coach Crean is that when we got here he instantly became somebody that I sought out for advice. We had a lot of different conversations. He’s somebody that stays in contact via text or just making sure after whether it’s a tough loss or it’s a great win, and I’m going to miss that.
But I know this, I know something about Tom. Not only is he a great coach, I think he’s a better man. I’m so grateful and blessed that I can say that I had the opportunity to work alongside of him. But I’m even more grateful that I can call him a friend.
That’s what it is.
Here’s what I do know about him. He’s going to move on and he’s going to be fantastic at his next stop. There’s no question. I’m going to be calling him and cheering him on, and I know this, he’s going to be doing the same for me and our staff and our players. That’s the guy he is. That’s the guy I get to work with every day. For that, I’m extremely, extremely lucky. We wish him nothing but the best, him and Joanie and his three kids. He’ll go off, and Tom will land on his feet. He’ll do great things.
I’m just honored I get to call him my friend every day.”
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