Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson is unlikely to return for the 2024-25 season, according to various sources, including a confirmation from FOX Sports on Thursday evening.
At 67 years old, Woodson has led the Hoosiers for over three seasons, achieving a record of 77 wins against 49 losses. Under his leadership, the team participated in the NCAA Tournament twice, marking their first appearance in six years during the 2022 season.
The Hoosiers entered the current season with high hopes, ranked No. 17 in the AP Top 25 Poll. They bolstered their roster with standout transfers, including Oumar Ballo from Arizona and Myles Rice from Washington State, aiming to reclaim their status in college basketball.
However, after a promising start at 13-3 and 4-1 in the Big Ten, the team has struggled, suffering four straight losses and winning only one of their last seven games. Currently, the Hoosiers hold a 14-9 overall record and sit 12th in the Big Ten standings, with their NCAA tournament hopes dimming as they are listed among the “next four teams out” in FOX Sports’ latest projections.
As one of the most prestigious programs in college basketball, Indiana has not reached the Final Four since 2002 and last won a national championship in 1987, under the legendary coach Bob Knight.
Woodson’s connection to the Hoosiers runs deep; he played as a guard from 1976 to 1980, ranking third in the program’s history for career minutes played. He was drafted by the New York Knicks as the 12th overall pick in 1980 and enjoyed an 11-year NBA career, averaging 14.0 points per game.
Following a successful playing career, which included 25 years as a head coach and assistant, Woodson returned to his alma mater in 2021 to succeed Archie Miller, bringing hope for a resurgence of the program.
