Indiana men’s basketball head coach Mike Woodson is not expected to return to the Hoosier’s sidelines next season according to multiple reports.
In an ESPN story, Jeff Borzello and Pete Thamel reported that Woodson, 66, is expected to finish coaching the rest of this season, but he and the school will discuss Woodson’s wishes to step away at season’s end.
It is unclear what the financial implications would be if both parties decided to part ways, but Woodson’s contract calls for him to be paid over $8 million if it is terminated. He could be bought out and paid in million-dollar lump sums, which would be more manageable for the school.
The Hoosiers are currently on a four-game losing streak after losing by 12 at No. 21 Wisconsin. Indiana had started this season 12-3 (3-1) before going 2-6 over the past eight games. The team’s last win was on Jan. 17 against Ohio State.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.In Woodson’s first two seasons, the Hoosiers made consecutive NCAA Tournaments, having an overall record of 44-26. In the previous two seasons, though, Indiana is 33-23 and on the verge of missing the tournament for the second straight season.
With considerable additions in the transfer portal, such as Oumar Ballo, Indiana was the preseason No. 17 team in the AP poll and finished only behind Purdue in the preseason Big Ten media poll. It hasn’t been ranked since week 4 of the AP polling.
Woodson was a former Hoosier himself under Bobby Knight before being selected by the New York Knicks in the 1980 NBA Draft. He was named the head coach of Indiana in 2021 after spending 22 years patrolling NBA sidelines.
