Former Indiana player, assistant coach, and interim head coach Dan Dakich will make his debut on the ESPN networks Sunday evening as he will call the IU game against Wright State.
Dakich played for Coach Bob Knight from 1981 to 1985. He was also the first a graduate assistant coach under “The General” from 1985-87 and then an assistant coach at Indiana from 1987 to 1997.
After ten much improved years at Bowling Green State University, he returned to IU eventually becoming the interim head coach. It was then that Dakich stepped up and cleaned house. He understands what it means to play at Indiana. Accountability and character is very important in the eyes of coach, so he made it a point to bring the right culture back to Indiana basketball.
Dan thrived last season on the Big Ten Network as an in-studio analyst. However this year with his upgrade to ESPN, Dak will do both games and studio work. He is essentially replacing Steve Lavin who returned to coaching this season at St. John’s.
He will primarily work Big Ten contests Tuesdays and Saturdays with commentator Dave O’Brien. This first broadcast will be the pairs first together, thus placing it on ESPNU.
Coach Dakich has said on his weekly radio show that he still has a passion for coaching, but at this stage of his life, he admits he has a great gig. He has two kids that are beginning to think about college and we know that’s not cheap. Dan went on to emphasize his love for coaching his Indiana Elite South team in the spring and summer. Once a coach, always a coach.
For his first broadcast of the season and on the ESPN network, Dakich will take his talents to Bloomington. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU as well as ESPN3.com.