Indiana University to name Mike Woodson head basketball coach, reports say

Former Indiana University player Mike Woodson is expected to be named IU’s next men’s head basketball coach, various media sources, including The Athletic, reported Sunday afternoon.

Woodson, assistant coach for the New York Knicks, played for the Hoosiers under Coach Bob Knight from 1976-1980.

The 63-year Woodson has never been a college head coach, but he was head coach for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks from 2004-2010 and head coach for the Knicks from 2012-14.

An Indianapolis native, Woodson starred in basketball at Broad Ripple High School and was named an Indiana All Star. He led the team with 26 points in a 96-88 victory over the Kentucky All Stars in 1976.

 At IU, Woodson will replace Archie Miller, who was fired March 15 after four seasons at IU.

The 63-year-old Woodson scored 2,062 points during his IU career. He played for for six different NBA teams from 1980-1991, scoring 10,981 points, a 14-point average. He graduated as the school’s second-leading scorer and the second player in school history to top 2,000 points. He still ranks fifth.

Woodson will be the sixth Hoosiers coach since Knight was fired in September 2000.

As an NBA coach,Woodson had a 315-365 record. His best year came with the Knicks in 2012-2013, when the team went 54-28 and won the Atlantic Division.

Woodson was expected to meet with his new players Sunday evening and will be introduced Monday.

“I have spoken with numerous individuals at the college and NBA levels, and they were unanimous in their support of and respect for Mike,” IU Athletic Director Scott Dolson said. “From his ability in terms of X’s and O’s to his skill at building relationships and developing players, his reputation is outstanding. As a coach, he’s succeeded at the highest levels of the NBA, and he’s mentored some of the game’s all-time great players.”

Woodson becomes the first Indiana alum hired as head coach since Lou Watson replaced Branch McCracken in 1965. Dan Dakich, who also played for Knight and is now a radio personality and color commentator on ESPN, was interim coach for seven games in 2008 after Kelvin Sampson was fired.

“We know it is a very special opportunity for Mike to return to his alma mater as head coach and wish him the very best,” Knicks President Leon Rose said in a statement posted on Twitter. “Woody had a great impact on our team’s play and culture this season and he will be missed.”

Woodson is the second Black coach and third minority to lead the program, after Mike Davis, Knight’s successor, and Sampson, who is Native American. He becomes one of 14 Black coaches in the Power Five and Big East conferences, a group that includes other NBA stalwarts in Juwan Howard (Michigan) and Patrick Ewing (Georgetown).

Reaction to the hiring was positive from those closest to the program.

“I love it. Woody is a proven coach,” former Indiana and New York Knicks star Jared Jeffries said. “He did an amazing job with our Knicks team. One of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. Most of all, understands our school better than anyone.”

Dolson may have telegraphed the move when he announced March 15 that Archie Miller had been fired after four mediocre seasons. In explaining what he was seeking in a coach, Dolson told reporters he wanted an updated offense that appealed to recruits and college players who hoped to play in the NBA.

Another attractive attribute is Woodson’s history of mentoring top players. During his NBA career, he’s worked with more than two dozen All-Stars. Fans have complained loudly about player development through most of the 21-year post-Knight era.

Some who played for Woodson believe he could be successful immediately.

“One of my favorite coaches to play for,” Jamal Crawford said.

An immediate concern for Woodson is that six Indiana players are currently in the transfer portal. His hiring could prompt at least some of those to reconsider.

To help with the transition, Dolson has hired former Ohio State coach Thad Matta as an associate athletic director for basketball administration. Matta, who played at Butler and later served as head coach at Butler and Xavier, also reportedly interviewed for the coaching job.