Dan Dakich received what likely is his dream job Friday, but under nightmarish circumstances.

The former Indiana player and assistant coach was named the interim head coach to replace Kelvin Sampson, but faces immediate controversy in the form of boycotting players and a snubbed assistant coach.

Only seven players showed up for Dakich’s first practice at Assembly Hall on Friday afternoon. Among the six missing players were starters D.J. White, Armon Bassett and Jamarcus Ellis. Every player attended a walkthrough Friday night, however.

Sampson’s lead assistant, Ray McCallum, will remain on the staff as the assistant head coach.

McCallum, a native of Muncie and a former head coach at Ball State and Houston, was joined by his wife in a two-hour meeting in athletic director Rick Greenspan’s office while the team was practicing.

McCallum declined to comment to reporters as he left Assembly Hall.

Greenspan would not say whether the players who skipped practice were angry over Sampson’s dismissal or Dakich’s promotion.

“You’d be better served to ask them,” Greenspan said. “I’m not going to speak for the players.”

The players refused comment as they entered and left practice Friday and weren’t available during the news conference later that night.

McCallum’s ties to Sampson were thought to be an issue in Dakich’s promotion. However, a university news release issued shortly before Friday’s 9 p.m. news conference praised McCallum’s “integrity and exceptional dedication to the game,” and Greenspan echoed those sentiments.

“It was very important for both Ray and Dan to point out that we have not had any concerns expressed to us in any way about any allegations about any NCAA issues,” Greenspan said. “I know for both of them that’s important for the public to understand.”

Why Dakich, then?

“I felt it was the right choice,” Greenspan said.

Dakich was not available for comment Friday but issued a statement through the university.

“Indiana University and the basketball program have played an important role in my life,” he said. “I want nothing but the best for these players and the institution. The challenge ahead is to maintain the positive momentum that has been built within the team and to keep everyone as focused as possible during this difficult time.”

Dakich will not be available to the media until after tonight’s game at Northwestern.

Greenspan said no decision has been made whether to add an assistant coach. Former Indiana star Damon Bailey aroused speculation when he showed up at Assembly Hall on Friday afternoon, but Greenspan said he was not aware of that.

Dakich, 45, becomes IU’s second interim coach in a turbulent decade for the program.

Mike Davis worked on an interim basis in the 2000-01 season after Bob Knight was fired, and then was hired full time. IU finished 21-13 overall and 10-6 in the Big Ten that season.

Dakich compiled a 156-140 record at Bowling Green (1997-2007). His contract was not renewed after last season. His teams won one Mid-American Conference title but were a combined 22-39 in his final two injury-plagued seasons.

Dakich, who averaged 3.6 points during his playing career with Knight, bears several similarities to his mentor. He was a slow-footed player who had a mediocre college career, and went on to become a hard-driving coach who sometimes alienated players with his intensity but also developed strong bonds with many of them.

Dakich also appeared to earn the respect of IU’s players during his 12 seasons as an assistant coach.

“Danny was a competitor,” 1989 graduate Joe Hillman said. “He competed and scrapped, and he got everything out of what he had. He was just a great competitive guy. He was very, very knowledgeable about the game.”