Official Release from Indiana Announcing Hiring of Mike Woodson; Press Conference Monday
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana hired Mike Woodson to be its next basketball coach on Sunday. Woodson, a former star at Indiana from 1976 to 1980, played 11 years in the NBA and has coached in the league since 1996.
He has traveled to Bloomington and met with Indiana players on Sunday night. He will have his introductory press conference on Monday at 10 a.m. ET, and it will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
Here's the official press release from the school:
Former Hoosier All-American Mike Woodson Named 30th Men’s Basketball Coach at Indiana University
Indiana University Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson has named former Hoosier All-American and Indianapolis native Mike Woodson as the 30th head coach in the men’s basketball program’s history.
Woodson returns to the Bloomington campus with vast experiences and knowledge after playing in the NBA for 11 seasons beginning in 1980 and serving as a coach in the league beginning in 1996 for seven NBA franchises, including nine years combined as a head coach with the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks. He was currently serving as an assistant coach with the Knicks.
Woodson was the 1980 Big Ten Player of the Year and NABC All-American as a senior in leading the Hoosiers to a conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet Sixteen. Despite undergoing back surgery in December and missing seven weeks, he was honored as the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Basketball Award Winner following the season.
In addition, Dolson has announced that former Ohio State Coach Thad Matta will join the athletic department in the newly created position of Associate Athletic Director for Basketball Administration.
Scott Dolson On Mike Woodson
“This is a great day and a great fit for Indiana Basketball. Throughout this process, I was looking for someone I could partner with to return Indiana Basketball to a level of success that Hoosier fans have come to know and expect, and Mike is that person.”
“During the last two weeks, I have spoken with numerous individuals at the college and NBA levels, and they were unanimous in their support of and respect for Mike. From his ability in terms of X’s and O’s to his skill at building relationships and developing players, his reputation is outstanding.
As a coach, he’s succeeded at the highest levels of the NBA, and he’s mentored some of the game’s all-time great players. On top of all of that, as one of our program’s legendary players, Mike certainly gives us a bridge to our past. But more important than what he did as a former Hoosier player, he’s someone who shares my vision for what Indiana Basketball is about, and I’m thrilled about what this day means for our program.”
New York Knicks statement on Mike Woodson
Mike Woodson is currently an assistant coach with the New York Knicks, and was previously their head coach. The Knicks released a statement as well, and wished Woodson good luck on social media.
Here's is their statement from president Leon Rose and their Twitter post:
"We know it is a very special opportunity for Mike to return to his alma mater as head coach and we wish him the very best. Woody had a great impact on our team's play an culture this season and he will be missed.''
Related stories on Mike Woodson
- BREAKING NEWS (March 28): Indiana hires former Hoosier star Mike Woodson to be its next head coach, replacing Archie Miller. CLICK HERE
- TOM BREW COLUMN (March 28): Bringing Mike Woodson back to Bloomington was a home run hire, but there's plenty of work that needs to be done quickly. CLICK HERE
- WOODSON MUM ON IU SEARCH (March 22): Former Indiana star Mike Woodson talked to Sports Illustrated Indiana, but didn't want to discuss in any detail about the coaching search. >>> CLICK HERE
- SCOTT DOLSON VIDEO (March 15): Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson met with the media Monday and explained why he fired Archie Miller, how tough the decision way, and his vision for the future. Watch all 26 minutes here. >>> CLICK HERE
- TOM BREW COLUMN (March 15): Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson didn't let that big buyout get in the way of making the right decision for the basketball program. >>> CLICK HERE
- WOODSON MOURNS LOSS OF WAYNE RADFORD: For more than 40 years, Mike Woodson and Wayne Radford, two Indianapolis basketball legends, have been the best of friends. Radford died suddenly on Jan. 10, and Woodson is taking it hard. CLICK HERE
