Despite the challenges of the current season, Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson will be back in his position for the upcoming campaign, numerous sources stated on Wednesday.
In his first two seasons, Woodson, 65, guided the squad to two NCAA tournament appearances. In his three seasons leading Indiana, he is 60-39. The Hoosiers advanced to the NCAA tournament’s second round and finished second in the Big Ten last season, making it the finest of his career so far.
However, Indiana’s record is 16-13 this year. The team’s record over the past 12 games is 4-8, which has dropped them to ninth place in the Big Ten rankings.
Zach Osterman of the Indianapolis Star originally broke the story of Woodson’s anticipated return. Osterman had earlier mentioned that the team would have to pay $12.6 million in buyout money if the coach was fired. The terms of his contract called for Indiana to be able to pay the debt in $1 million yearly installments, but the program is forgoing that option in favor of providing Woodson with an opportunity to make things right.
Indianapolis native Woodson, a former Hoosier basketball standout, played for 11 years in the NBA. With stints as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, Woodson has amassed more than three decades of coaching expertise. As a coach, he made five trips to the league’s conference semifinals, and his 54 victories in 2012 set a team record for the Knicks. In his fourth year, he will have to draw on that experience to bring the program back to life.
Indiana loses on a beloved May in Dust
Dusty May, the head coach of Florida Atlantic, seems to be a strong fit for the Hoosiers and could be able to transfer his skills to a Big Ten rival.
After guiding Florida Atlantic to an incredible run to the Final Four in the previous season, May became well-known. After the success, he signed a new long-term contract to stay with the Owls, but since Chris Holtmann was sacked last month, he has been connected to the Ohio State head coach position.May isn’t reachable until the conclusion of the season, but his colleagues and agents are.
However, May has similar links to Woodson because he was reared in Greene County, which is about 30 minutes from the Indiana University campus, despite being born in Peoria, Illinois. He was employed by the program as a student manager and returned in 2002 to take on an administrative position.
He holds the school record for most victories as a coach with a 121-66 record during only six winning seasons at Florida Atlantic. His Owls (22-7) are presently ranked second in the American Athletic Conference in their first season back in the league after leaving Conference USA.
