Mike Woodson Expected to Step Down as Indiana’s Head Coach After Season
The Mike Woodson era at Indiana is likely coming to an end, as sources indicate that the Hoosiers’ head coach is expected to step down at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
Woodson, 66 years old, has coached IU for four seasons, but after two consecutive years without an NCAA Tournament appearance, discussions about his departure are reportedly underway.
Financial negotiations remain ongoing, as Woodson’s contract includes a buyout exceeding $8 million, which could be paid out in annual million-dollar installments—a structure that makes it more manageable for IU’s athletic budget.
A Season of High Expectations That Fell Short
The Hoosiers entered this season with high hopes, ranking No. 17 in the preseason AP Poll and boasting one of the top transfer portal classes in the country, highlighted by Oumar Ballo (Arizona), Myles Rice (Washington State), and Kanaan Carlyle (Stanford).
Despite that talent, Indiana has struggled in Big Ten play, currently sitting at 14-9 overall and 5-7 in conference play. The team has lost four straight games and six of its last seven, dropping them out of NCAA Tournament contention in the latest projections.
The final straw may have been IU’s embarrassing 76-64 loss to Wisconsin, where the Hoosiers fell behind 26-4 in the opening minutes. After the game, Woodson publicly called out his team’s lack of toughness, saying:
“We’re just not a tough team right now. Mentally, we’re not tough.”
What’s Next for Indiana?
If Woodson does step away, Indiana will instantly become one of the most high-profile coaching vacancies in college basketball.
IU still boasts one of the biggest NIL budgets in the Big Ten, a storied program history, and a passionate fan base hungry for national relevance.
The search for a new head coach will be crucial, as IU looks to find a leader who can revive the program and bring the Hoosiers back to national prominence.
For now, Woodson remains at the helm for the remainder of the season, but all signs point to a coaching change in Bloomington this spring.