BREAKING NEWS: Excitement Hits Memorial Stadium as Former Indiana Hoosiers Legend Calbert Cheaney Returns to His Alma Mater as Senior Coaching Advisor
BLOOMINGTON, IN — August 13, 2025
A wave of nostalgia, pride, and pure Hoosier passion swept through Memorial Stadium today as Indiana University officially announced the return of one of its most iconic legends — Calbert Cheaney. The former Indiana basketball great is rejoining the program, not as a player, but as a Senior Coaching Advisor, bringing his wealth of experience, leadership, and unwavering commitment back to the crimson and cream.
Cheaney, who starred for the Hoosiers from 1989 to 1993 under the legendary Bob Knight, is still the Big Ten’s all-time leading scorer with 2,613 points — a record that has stood for over three decades. His return marks a symbolic full-circle moment for a man whose name is etched into the fabric of Indiana basketball history.
A New Role, A Familiar Mission
In his new role, Cheaney will work closely with Head Coach Mike Woodson and the rest of the coaching staff, focusing on player development, mentorship, and cultivating the competitive culture that once made IU a perennial powerhouse. Though Cheaney won’t be on the sidelines every game, his presence at practice, film sessions, and team meetings is expected to have a profound impact on the Hoosiers’ mental and physical approach.
“I’m home,” Cheaney said in a brief but emotional statement. “Indiana is more than a school or a team — it’s who I am. I’ve learned from the best, played with the best, and now I’m ready to help build the best again.”
A Career That Speaks for Itself
Cheaney’s basketball journey didn’t end in Bloomington. After a stellar college career, he was selected 6th overall in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets. He played 13 seasons in the NBA with several teams, including the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors, before transitioning into coaching and player development roles with NBA organizations.
Over the past decade, Cheaney has served in various coaching capacities, including with the St. Louis University Billikens, Golden State Warriors, and most recently the Indiana Pacers, where he gained praise for his ability to connect with players and teach the game at a high level.
Now, he’s bringing that elite insight and professional pedigree back to the college game — back to where it all started.
A Boost for a Rising Program
Cheaney’s return comes at a critical time for Indiana basketball. After several seasons of rebuilding under Coach Woodson, the Hoosiers are showing signs of resurgence. With a talented mix of returning players and promising recruits, Indiana aims to climb back into the national spotlight — and Cheaney’s presence could be the catalyst they’ve been missing.
“Calbert is Indiana basketball,” Coach Woodson said. “There’s no one better to help guide these young men — not just as players, but as people. His knowledge, work ethic, and love for this program are unmatched.”
The Hoosier Nation Reacts
Within minutes of the announcement, social media erupted with celebration. Former teammates, IU legends, and fans flooded platforms with praise and excitement.
“Having Calbert back is like reuniting the soul of Indiana basketball with the present,” tweeted one IU fan. “This is bigger than just coaching. It’s legacy. It’s identity.”
What’s Next
Cheaney is expected to begin his duties immediately, with preseason training ramping up in the coming weeks. With his fingerprints now on the development of Indiana’s next generation of talent, expectations for the 2025–26 season are already rising.
For a program rich in tradition but hungry for modern success, the return of Calbert Cheaney might be the spark that lights the way forward.
Calbert Cheaney is back. And so, perhaps, is Indiana basketball.
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