Sampson Accepts Buy-Out, Dakich Steps In

IU Athletic Director Rick Greenspan has yet to appear at tonight's scheduled press conference, but IU has confirmed the specifics regarding Kelvin Sampson's immediate departure. After agreeing to a $750,000 buy-out this afternoon, Sampson will step down effective immediately. Assistant Coach Dan Dakich will be named the interim Head Coach this evening.

IU Athletic Director Rick Greenspan has yet to appear at tonight's scheduled press conference, but IU has confirmed the specifics regarding Coach Kelvin Sampson's immediate departure. After agreeing to a $750,000 buy-out this afternoon, Sampson will step down effective immediately. Assistant Coach Dan Dakich will be named the interim Head Coach and will lead the Hoosiers through the remainder of the 2008 season.

ESPN.com's Andy Katz was the first to report this news and it has since been confirmed by IU spokesman Larry McIntyre.

The Bloomington Herald-Times is reporting that the agreement struck with Sampson ensures that the former coach will not file a lawsuit at any point against IU for wrongful termination. It also means that Dakich will lead the team into battle tomorrow night at Northwestern for their 8 p.m. game.

Whether all the current players on IU's roster make that trip is still debatable. Earlier today several players did not attend Dakich's first practice, including star D.J. White. Other players indicated that they would not attend Saturday's game in protest of their coach being ushered out the door. It has been reported by the Indianapolis Star that Sampson met with the team to discourage any such boycott and to encourage them to play for Dakich this season.

The press conference to make this announcement has still not taken place, but is believed to still be taking place tonight at some point. We will have coverage of that press conference following it's conclusion this evening.