Clemson’s Brad Brownell Emerges as Candidate for Indiana Coaching Job

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell has been named a potential candidate for the Indiana Hoosiers‘ coaching position, according to a report by the Indy Star. Brownell, who has led the Tigers to significant success in recent years, is among several coaches and executives listed as potential targets for the role once the current season concludes.

Brownell, a native of Indiana, has deep ties to the Midwest. He played college basketball at DePauw University and later coached at Wright State, where he won 84 games over four seasons. His coaching career has spanned 22 years, with 15 of those at Clemson, where he has won nearly 300 games and led the Tigers to four NCAA tournament appearances.

The Indy Star highlighted Brownell’s recent success, including three consecutive winning conference records in the ACC and a historic Elite Eight run in 2024. This season, Clemson has remained one of the top teams in the ACC. While Brownell’s resume may not have themarquee highlights of some other candidates, his steady improvement and recent achievements have drawn attention from programs like Indiana.

‘He’s got the Midwest ties, which could be attractive to Indiana,’ said a source close to the program. ‘His ability to build a consistent winner in a tough conference like the ACC is certainly something that stands out.’

Brownell’s name appears alongside notable candidates such as Boston Celtics President Brad Stevens and Auburn coach Bruce Pearl. The Hoosiers are expected to begin their coaching search in earnest after the conclusion of the current season.

Analysts point to Brownell’s ability to adapt and grow as a coach, even at 56, as a reason for his continued success. ‘He’s proven he can win in different environments and build sustainable programs,’ said ESPN college basketball analyst Jeff Borzello. ‘That kind of experience is invaluable in the NCAA tournament landscape.’

While Clemson fans may be concerned about losing their head coach, the program’s recent success has likely made Brownell a natural target for other schools. For now, Brownell and the Tigers remain focused on their current season, aiming to build on their strong performance in the ACC.