Former Hoosier All-American Mike Woodson Named 30th Men’s Basketball Coach at Indiana University
Woodson returns to the Bloomington campus with vast experiences and knowledge after playing in the NBA for 11 seasons beginning in 1980 and serving as a coach in the league beginning in 1996 for seven NBA franchises, including nine years combined as a head coach with the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks. He was currently serving as an assistant coach with the Knicks.
“This is a great day and a great fit for Indiana Basketball,” said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson. “Throughout this process, I was looking for someone I could partner with to return Indiana Basketball to a level of success that Hoosier fans have come to know and expect, and Mike is that person.
“During the last two weeks, I have spoken with numerous individuals at the college and NBA levels, and they were unanimous in their support of and respect for Mike. 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. On top of all of that, as one of our program’s legendary players, Mike certainly gives us a bridge to our past. But more important than what he did as a former Hoosier player, he’s someone who shares my vision for what Indiana Basketball is about, and I’m thrilled about what this day means for our program.”
Woodson was the 1980 Big Ten Player of the Year and NABC All-American as a senior in leading the Hoosiers to a conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet Sixteen. Despite undergoing back surgery in December and missing seven weeks, he was honored as the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Basketball Award Winner following the season.
In addition, Dolson has announced that former Ohio State Coach Thad Matta will join the athletic department in the newly created position of Associate Athletic Director for Basketball Administration.
Things are moving quickly for new Indiana head coach Mike Woodson after he was hired by the school on Sunday, rocking the college basketball world and drawing some heavy criticism from media members. But no matter how fast things are going, Woodson already has a challenge on his plate and that is getting Indiana players that are in the transfer portal to stay with the Hoosiers instead of leaving.
“They are the top priority right now,” Woodson said of those players in the portal, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. “I’ve got to get with them and meet with them.”
Former IU players react to the hiring of Mike Woodson on social media
Twitter is abuzz this afternoon with reaction from former IU players on the hiring of Mike Woodson.
We’ve compiled all of the reaction below:
Lettsssss gooooo!!!!! Coach Woodson to the HOOSIERS!! NBA guy..Understands the IU culture…Defensive minded..Hoosier Nation let’s rally around him and get this program back on top!! #iubb
— Verdell Jones (@Vj3_217) March 28, 2021
Is it true? ? ?? ?? #iubb
— Alan Henderson (@44AlanHenderson) March 28, 2021
Home Sweet Home!! #iubbhttps://t.co/a5A9rmaEeb
— A.J. Guyton (@ajguyton) March 28, 2021
I love it. Woody is a proven coach. 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.
— Jared Jeffries (@ModernFishingTV) March 28, 2021
IU fans!! How y’all feel about the new hire?????
— Thomas Bryant (@nolimittb31) March 28, 2021
????????? https://t.co/dpGlc9npRK
— Christian Watford (@Cwat205) March 28, 2021
Let it be known @IUHoosiershttps://t.co/xFUC1vgr0R
— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) March 28, 2021
??????????
— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) March 28, 2021
I like the new pick up https://t.co/SvNI6YrxY7
— Mo Creek (@Mo_Creek) March 28, 2021
“I love it. Woody’s an amazing coach.” Former Indiana players thrilled at the hiring of Mike Woodson
Indiana and Mike Woodson have agreed in principle for Woodson to become Indiana’s next basketball coach, sources tell Peegs.com.
Woodson has agreed to a six-year deal, sources tell Peegs.com.
A former IU player, Woodson has been an NBA head coach and assistant coach most every season since 1996-97. He currently is an assistant with the New York Knicks.
From Indianapolis Broad Ripple, Woodson played at IU from 1976-77 through 1979-80, and is a career 19.8 points per game scorer. Woodson, who turned 63 on March 24, is currently in his 22nd season as an NBA assistant or head coach.
He has a career head coaching record of 315-365 that includes at complete rebuild of the Atlanta Hawks that started in 2004-05.
His first three seasons with the Hawks, they went 13-69, 26-56 and 30-52 and they completely rebuilt the franchise. His fourth year, the Hawks went to the playoffs. His fifth (47-35) and sixth (53-29) years, the Hawks won a first-round playoff series and finished second in their division.
As the head coach of the New York Knicks for parts of three seasons, from 2011-12 to 2013-14, Woodson was 109-79. His second season, he led the Knicks to a 54-28 record. The Knicks won a playoff series over the Boston Celtics before falling to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Woodson’s 54-28 record in 2012-13 was the Knicks’ best record since 1996-97.
Among the reasons the Knicks brought Woodson back as an assistant are his offensive mind and his ability to relate to younger players.
“I think it’s a wonderful hire,” former IU great, NBA player and current Indiana Pacers assistant coach Calbert Cheaney told Peegs.com.
“He’s a great coach with a wealth of experience, including a wealth of NBA experience. I know he understands Indiana basketball. He played there. He’s been around the program for many years. He’s always come back even though he’s been in the league.
“He understands Indiana basketball.”
Former Ohio State, Xavier and Butler coach Thad Matta has agreed to a staff position in an non-recruiting role, meaning he can’t recruit off campus. Current IU assistant Kenya Hunter is being considered for one of the three assistant coach positions.
“He can make it happen,” said one former IU player.
Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson on Mike Woodson:
“This is a great day and a great fit for Indiana Basketball. Throughout this process, I was looking for someone I could partner with to return Indiana Basketball to a level of success that Hoosier fans have come to know and expect, and Mike is that person.”
“During the last two weeks, I have spoken with numerous individuals at the college and NBA levels, and they were unanimous in their support of and respect for Mike. 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. On top of all of that, as one of our program’s legendary players, Mike certainly gives us a bridge to our past. But more important than what he did as a former Hoosier player, he’s someone who shares my vision for what Indiana Basketball is about, and I’m thrilled about what this day means for our program.”
Indiana announces hiring of Mike Woodson as new head coach
Welcome home, Coach Woodson. pic.twitter.com/jrIeKcYawR
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) March 28, 2021
“This is a great day and a great fit for Indiana Basketball,” IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson said in a statement.”Throughout this process, I was looking for someone I could partner with to return Indiana Basketball to a level of success that Hoosier fans have come to know and expect, and Mike is that person.
“During the last two weeks, I have spoken with numerous individuals at the college and NBA levels, and they were unanimous in their support of and respect for Mike. 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. On top of all of that, as one of our program’s legendary players, Mike certainly gives us a bridge to our past. But more important than what he did as a former Hoosier player, he’s someone who shares my vision for what Indiana Basketball is about, and I’m thrilled about what this day means for our program.”
Woodson had two stops as a head coach in the NBA: the Atlanta Hawks from 2004-10 and the New York Knicks from 2011-14. In his career, Woodson is 315-365 as a head coach and made the playoffs five out of nine seasons (three with the Hawks and two with the Knicks). Woodson’s teams never made it further than the Conference Semifinals.
Matta is expected to assist the Indiana coaching staff that will be led by new coach Mike Woodson. The 53-year-old Matta last coached Ohio State during the 2016-17 season.
Matta was head coach at Ohio State for 13 seasons from 2004-05 to 2016-17 and compiled a 337-123 record. His tenure with the Buckeyes also included two Final Four appearances, five Big Ten regular-season titles and four Big Ten Tournament titles.
Indiana’s coaching search began earlier this month after firing Miller. The Hoosiers finished this season with a 12-15 record.
Dolson released a statement after news broke on Miller’s departure. He admitted while it was a difficult decision, it would benefit the Hoosiers’ basketball program moving forward. Dolson indicated that one or more donors supplied the money to buy out Miller’s contract.
“As the Director of Athletics, I wanted to wait until the conclusion of the season before evaluating the leadership of our men’s basketball program,” Dolson said in part of the statement. “In the days following the completion of our season in the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, I have spent a great deal of time evaluating our recruiting, student-athlete development, leadership development, and playing philosophy and strategy. That review, combined with the on-court results, ultimately led me to conclude that a change in leadership of our program is warranted at this time. I shared my assessment with Indiana University President Michael McRobbie, and he accepted my recommendation.
“I want to thank Archie Miller, his staff, and their families for their service and commitment to IU and for his unwavering commitment to our student-athletes, the men’s basketball program and Indiana University. We wish Archie and his family all the best in the next steps of their journey.
“Given the university’s very tight financial situation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, private philanthropic funding has been obtained for all transition costs and obligations related to the change in leadership. We worked to secure the necessary private support following my recommendation to President McRobbie, ensuring that there would be no charges to the university budget.”
Indiana men’s basketball hires Mike Woodson; deal is for six years, WHO IS MIKE WOODSON;
 Woodson coaching the Hawks in the 2008 NBA playoffs
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| Indiana Hoosiers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Head coach |
| League | Big Ten Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 24, 1958 Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Broad Ripple (Indianapolis, Indiana) |
| College | Indiana (1976–1980) |
| NBA draft | 1980 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12th overall |
| Selected by the New York Knicks | |
| Playing career | 1980–1990 |
| Position | Shooting guard |
| Number | 44, 42, 2 |
| Coaching career | 1996–present |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1980–1981 | New York Knicks |
| 1982 | New Jersey Nets |
| 1982–1986 | Kansas City / Sacramento Kings |
| 1986–1988 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 1988–1990 | Houston Rockets |
| 1991 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| As coach: | |
| 1996–1999 | Milwaukee Bucks (assistant) |
| 1999–2001 | Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant) |
| 2001–2003 | Philadelphia 76ers (assistant) |
| 2003–2004 | Detroit Pistons (assistant) |
| 2004–2010 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2011–2012 | New York Knicks (assistant) |
| 2012–2014 | New York Knicks |
| 2014–2018 | Los Angeles Clippers (assistant) |
| 2020–2021 | New York Knicks (assistant) |
| 2021–present | Indiana |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As assistant coach: |
|
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 10,981 (14.0 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,838 (2.3 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,822 (2.3 apg) |
Stats  |
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| Stats |
|
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Medals
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Michael Dean Woodson (born March 24, 1958) is an American basketball coach and former professional player who is the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men’s team.
Woodson was a 10-year professional in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and spent his entire coaching career in the league until taking the Indiana job. He served as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks from 2004 to 2010 and the New York Knicks from 2012 to 2014. He joined Indiana, his alma mater, after serving as an assistant coach for the Knicks.
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| High school | Broad Ripple (Indianapolis, Indiana) |
| College | Indiana (1976–1980) |
| NBA draft | 1980 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12th overall |
| Selected by the New York Knicks | |
| Playing career | 1980–1990 |
| Position | Shooting guard |
| Number | 44, 42, 2 |
| Coaching career | 1996–present |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1980–1981 | New York Knicks |
| 1982 | New Jersey Nets |
| 1982–1986 | Kansas City / Sacramento Kings |
| 1986–1988 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 1988–1990 | Houston Rockets |
| 1991 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| As coach: | |
| 1996–1999 | Milwaukee Bucks (assistant) |
| 1999–2001 | Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant) |
| 2001–2003 | Philadelphia 76ers (assistant) |
| 2003–2004 | Detroit Pistons (assistant) |
| 2004–2010 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2011–2012 | New York Knicks (assistant) |
| 2012–2014 | New York Knicks |
| 2014–2018 | Los Angeles Clippers (assistant) |
| 2020–2021 | New York Knicks (assistant) |
| 2021–present | Indiana |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As assistant coach: |
|
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 10,981 (14.0 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,838 (2.3 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,822 (2.3 apg) |
| Stats |
|
| Stats |
|
Representing  |
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|---|---|---|
| Men’s basketball | ||
| Pan American Games | ||
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1979 San Juan | Team competition |
