**Mike Woodson Returns to NBA, Pens Farewell to Hoosier Natio**
After four seasons at the helm of Indiana University’s men’s basketball program, Mike Woodson is returning to the NBA as the associate head coach of the Sacramento Kings under newly appointed head coach Doug Christie. The 67-year-old Woodson, a former Indiana standout and NBA veteran, steps back into the professional ranks following a tenure in Bloomington marked by early promise and subsequent challenges.([New York Post][1])
Woodson’s departure from Indiana was announced earlier this year, concluding a coaching stint that saw the Hoosiers compile an 82–53 record. His tenure included two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2022 and 2023, but the team failed to progress beyond the Round of 32 and missed the tournament altogether in his final two seasons. Despite high expectations and strong NIL support, Indiana struggled to meet its storied program’s standards, leading to Woodson’s decision to step down at the end of the 2024–25 season .([New York Post][1])
In his first public statement since leaving Indiana, Woodson expressed gratitude to the university community. “Coming home to lead Indiana Men’s Basketball was an honor,” he wrote. “It was a great opportunity to represent the program that helped shape my college career, and I’m deeply grateful for the full-circle journey back to Indiana.” He thanked fans, players, coaching staff, and his family for their support, emphasizing the fulfillment he found in guiding young men both on and off the court .([Reddit][2], [insidethehall.com][3])
Woodson’s return to the NBA reunites him with the Kings, a franchise he once played for during his 11-year professional career. His coaching résumé includes head coaching roles with the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, where he led the Knicks to a 54-win season and an Eastern Conference semifinal appearance in 2012–13. Now, as associate head coach in Sacramento, Woodson aims to help the Kings return to the playoffs after consecutive seasons falling short in the play-in tournament .([New York Post][1])
Indiana has since appointed Darian DeVries, formerly of West Virginia and Drake, as its new head coach. The program looks to rebuild and recapture its competitive edge under DeVries’ leadership .([New York Post][4], [Off Tackle Empire][5])
As Woodson embarks on this new chapter, his contributions to Indiana basketball—as both a player and coach—remain a significant part of the program’s rich history.
[1]: https://nypost.com/2025/05/07/sports/mike-woodson-back-in-nba-with-kings-after-indiana-flameout/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Former Knicks coach Mike Woodson back in NBA after Indiana flameout”
[2]: https://www.reddit.com/r/HoosiersBasketball/comments/1kjje19/mike_woodson_issues_first_public_statement_since/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Mike Woodson issues first public statement since his Indiana …”
[3]: https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/05/09/mike-woodson-issues-his-first-public-statement-on-his-departure-from-iu-basketball/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Mike Woodson issues his first public statement on departure from IU …”
[4]: https://nypost.com/2025/03/18/sports/indiana-hires-west-virginias-darian-devries-as-coach-in-college-basketball-stunner/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Indiana hires West Virginia’s Darian DeVries as next coach in college basketball stunner”
[5]: https://www.offtackleempire.com/2025/3/26/24389498/indiana-hoosiers-basketball-autopsy-the-woodson-era-ends-with-a-fart-noise?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Indiana Hoosiers Basketball Autopsy: The Woodson Era Ends
with a Fart Noise”
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