Indiana to hire current New York Knicks assistant and former Hoosiers star Mike Woodson as new head coach
Zach OstermanBLOOMINGTON, Indiana – Indiana University will reach into its illustrious past to try and improve its future — a bold play from first-year athletic director Scott Dolson in trying to get his flagship program back among the country’s best.
Mike Woodson, who scored more than 2,000 points over four seasons at Indiana before embarking upon a lengthy NBA career that includes stops as head coach with Atlanta and New York, was hired as the 30th coach in program history.
IndyStar's Gregg Doyel reports that Indiana will also hire former Butler and Ohio State coach Thad Matta as associate athletic director for men's basketball administration. Matta will assist Hoosiers staff that will be led by Woodson. Matta will not fill a countable position, which means Indiana will still have three fully-fledged assistants that will handle off-campus duties (recruiting, primarily).
Woodson’s hiring will be a flashpoint for debate within his fan base, not so much for his profile or personality but for the potential risk his hiring represents.
On the one hand, Woodson has never coached in college, which means he has never confronted the recruiting, roster construction and management demands at this level. He also just turned 63, making him the oldest coach Indiana has hired to that position full time since at least World War II.
On the other, Woodson brings extensive NBA coaching experience to the job. In addition to head coaching stints with the Hawks (2004-10) and Knicks (2011-14), Woodson also served as an assistant coach with the Bucks, Cavaliers, 76ers, Pistons and Clippers before returning to New York as a Knicks assistant this season.
WOODSON:What you need to know about Indiana's new head coach
ANALYSIS: Woodson hire a bold risk worth taking for a program that's gone stale
ANALYSIS: Matta uniquely suited to help Woodson guide Indiana back to prominence
In a moment when modern offensive principles are becoming the gold standard in college basketball and player branding appears likely to define the next decade of college basketball, Woodson’s deep background at that level should bring a new perspective on what it will take for the Hoosiers to be successful again at the level they expects.
Woodson is the first former Indiana player to fill the position full time since Lou Watson succeeded Branch McCracken in 1965.
Woodson was an assistant on Larry Brown’s staff when Brown won an NBA title with Detroit in 2004. He has logged five playoff appearances as a head coach, three with Atlanta and two with New York. Across nine seasons as an NBA head coach, Woodson is 315-365.
Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.
