Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- mbasket@iu.edu
- Phone:
- (812) 855-2238
American and Indianapolis native Mike Woodson as the 30th head coach in the men’s basketball program’s history on March 28, 2021.
Under his tutelage, the Hoosiers have posted an 82-53 record and 41-39 in Big Ten Conference play. He guided the Hoosiers to back-to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in his first two seasons for the first time since 2015 and 2016. IU also advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals in each of his first two seasons. The Hoosiers won at least one BTT game in three-consecutive years for the first time since 2001-04.
ALL-AMERICANS (1)
2023:Trayce Jackson-Davis – Consensus First Team (Associated Press, NABC, The Sporting News, USWBA)
ALL-BIG TEN SELECTIONS (7)
2025:Oumar Ballo – Honorable Mention (coaches and media)
Malik Reneau – Honorable Mention (media)
2024:Kel’el Ware – Second Team (media), Third Team (coaches)
Malik Reneau – Honorable Mention (coaches and media)
2023:Trayce Jackson-Davis – First Team (unanimous by coaches and media)
Jalen Hood-Schifino – Second Team (media), Third Team (coaches)
2022:Trayce Jackson-Davis – Second Team (coaches and media)
Xavier Johnson – Honorable Mention (media)
Race Thompson – Honorable Mention (media)
BIG TEN FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR (2)
2024:Mackenzie Mgbako (Co-Freshman of the Year)
2023:Jalen Hood-Schifino
NBA DRAFT PICKS (3)
2024:Kel'el Ware – 15th overall by the Miami Heat
2023:Jalen Hood-Schifino – 17th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers
Trayce Jackson-Davis – 57th overall by the Washington Wizards
WITH THE HOOSIERS
Indiana finished the 2024-25 season with a 19-13 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Big Ten play. For the second-straight season, the Hoosiers earned four road wins (at Penn State, at Ohio State, at No. 11 Michigan State, and at Washington) in league play. In addition to its road triumph at nationally ranked MSU, IU also topped No. 13 Purdue at home to give the Cream ‘n Crimson two ranked wins.
The Hoosiers brought in the second-ranked transfer portal class according to 247Sports and signed consensus top 30 recruit in freshman wing Bryson Tucker. Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo, the top portal commit, averaged 13.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, a career-high 2.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game on his way to Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors. Junior forward Malik Reneau was also named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention after he averaged a team-best 13.3 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per outing.
The 2023-24 season saw the Hoosiers finish 19-14 with a 10-10 mark in Big Ten play. IU earned four B1G road victories (at Michigan, at Ohio State, at Maryland, at Minnesota), which tied for third-most in league play.
Indiana finished top-five in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (4th; 47.6%), defensive rebounds per game (5th; 26.1), and blocked shots per night (5th; 4.0).
He saw the second-year transformations of big men Kel’el Ware and Malik Reneau. Ware, who transferred to Indiana following a disappointing freshman season at Oregon, finished the season as an All-Big Ten Second Team selection by the media (Third Team by the coaches) and All-Defensive pick after becoming the third Hoosier in the last 25 seasons to average at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He finished second in the Big Ten in double-doubles (15), rebounds (9.9), and field goal percentage (58.6%), fifth in blocks (1.9), and 12th in points (15.9). Reneau posted career bests in points (15.4 per game), rebounds (6.0), assists (2.7), blocks (0.6), and minutes played (28.8) on his wat to All-Big Ten Honorable Mention consideration.
Heralded five-star freshman Mackenzie Mgbako became the second Hoosier in as many seasons to be named (Co) Big Ten Freshman of the Year after he averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds in 33 starts. Mgbako was one of two freshmen in the NCAA to score over 400 points, make at least 50 3-pointers, convert on 90-plus free throws, and grab at least 125 rebounds.
In 2022-23, the Hoosiers finished the season ranked in in the top 25 in both major polls. IU was 23-12 overall and finished tied for second in the Big Ten with a 12-8 mark. The year included a road win at Xavier and season sweeps over Purdue, Michigan and Illinois, a group of teams that prior to Woodson’s arrival had a combined 20-0 record recently against the Hoosiers. Under Woodson, IU is 9-3 against those three teams with victories included in West Lafayette, Ann Arbor, and Champaign.
The Cream and Crimson led the Big Ten in field goal percentage (48.7%) and finished second in the conference in field goal percentage defense in both the league’s overall and conference games only ledgers. The Hoosiers also tied for the most wins in the Big Ten against Top 25 programs (5) and had the best winning percentage versus ranked foes (62.5%) in the conference.
He saw senior forward Trayce Jackson-Davis earn consensus first-team All-American honors, a first for a Hoosier player in 10 years, and win the Karl Malone Award given annually to the best power forward in college basketball. The Greenwood native finished his career at IU ranked third in career scoring and double-doubles, while finishing as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots. He was a unanimous first team All-Big Ten selection and the league leader in blocked shots also was a member of the league’s All-Defensive team.
In addition, freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was named second and third team All-Big Ten and earned All-Freshman accolades.
In his first year, Woodson guided the team to a nine-win improvement, an NCAA Tournament win, built the top-rated defense in the Big Ten according to KenPom (22nd, nationally). IU also led the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense at 39.6% and finished second in blocked shots at 4.83 a game. In Big Ten games, the Hoosiers also led the league in field goal percentage defense at 41.3%.
He led the Hoosiers to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2003 and helped three players earn All-Big Ten status including Trayce Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson, and Xavier Johnson. His team also ended nine-game losing streaks to Purdue and Michigan and his staff landed the 10th-best recruiting class in the country according to 247Sports.
COACHING IN THE ASSOCIATION
Woodson spent 22 seasons coaching in the National Basketball Association, including nine seasons as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks. His coaching career began in 1996-97 with and spanned two decades and seven franchise. In his nine seasons as head coach, he made the playoffs five times and earned three trips into the second round. He was also part of the Detroit Pistons coaching staff for their NBA Title in 2004.
ALL-NBA SELECTIONS (14)
2021:Julius Randle – Second Team (New York Knicks)
2017:DeAndre Jordan – Third Team (Los Angeles Clippers)
2016:DeAndre Jordan – First Team (Los Angeles Clippers)
Chris Paul – Second Team (Los Angeles Clippers)
2015:Chris Paul – Second Team (Los Angeles Clippers)
Blake Griffin – Third Team (Los Angeles Clippers)
DeAndre Jordan – Third Team (Los Angeles Clippers)
2013:Carmelo Anthony – Second Team (New York Knicks)
2012:Carmelo Anthony – Third Team (New York Knicks)
Tyson Chandler – Third Team (New York Knicks)
2010:Joe Johnson – Third Team (Atlanta Hawks)
2004:Ben Wallace – Second Team (Detroit Pistons)
2003:Allen Iverson – Second Team (Philadelphia 76ers)
1997:Vin Baker – Third Team (Milwaukee Bucks)
NBA ALL-STARS (17)
2021:Julius Randle (New York Knicks)
2017:DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers)
2016:Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
2015:Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
2014:Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)
2013:Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)
TysonChandler (New York Knicks)
2012:Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)
2010:Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks)
Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
2009:Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
2008:Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
2007:Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
2004:Ben Wallace (Detroit Pistons)
2003:Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers)
1997:Vin Baker (Milwaukee Bucks)
As head coach of the Knicks, Woodson guided his 2012-13 Atlantic Division Champions to their first appearance in the Eastern Conference semifinals since 2000 and finished his tenure as New York’s coach with a record of 109-79 (.680). As an NBA head coach with Atlanta (2004-2010) and New York (2011-2014), Woodson saw his teams compile two 50-plus win seasons including a personal high of 54 victories during the 2012-13 season with the Knicks. Woodson joined the Knicks staff following six seasons as head coach of the Hawks, where he guided the Hawks to the NBA Playoffs in each of his last three seasons (including 2007-08, ending Atlanta’s eight-year Playoff drought), and into the Eastern Conference Semifinals in his last two seasons. In the Playoffs, he piloted the Hawks to back-to-back Game 7 wins in the first round over Miami in 2009 and Milwaukee in 2010.
Before joining the Hawks, Woodson served for one season (2003-04) as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons, where he earned an NBA Championship ring as one of the chief architects behind Detroit’s suffocating defense that helped lift the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title. Prior to his six years at the helm of the Hawks, Woodson logged eight seasons as an assistant coach with Milwaukee (1996-97 through 1998-99), Cleveland (1999-2000 through 2000-01), Philadelphia (2001-02 through 2002-03) and Detroit (2003-04).
Among the All-Stars he’s mentored are Ray Allen (Milwaukee Bucks), Kenny Anderson (Atlanta Hawks), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons), Sam Cassell (Milwaukee Bucks), Derrick Coleman (Philadelphia 76ers), Baron Davis (New York Knicks), Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Richard Hamilton (Detroit Pistons), Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks), Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers), Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers), Shawn Kemp (Cleveland Cavaliers), Jason Kidd (New York Knicks), Kenyon Martin (New York Knicks), Dikembe Mutombo (Philadelphia 76ers), Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers), Paul Pierce (Los Angeles Clippers), Julius Randle (New York Knicks), Glenn Robinson (Milwaukee Bucks), Derrick Rose (New York Knicks), Amar’e Stoudemire (New York Knicks), Antoine Walker (Atlanta Hawks), Ben Wallace (Detroit Pistons) and Rasheed Wallace (Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks).
As an assistant, he has worked for greats such as Chris Ford (Bucks), George Karl (Bucks), Larry Brown (76ers and Pistons), Mike D’Antoni (Knicks), Doc Rivers (Clippers), and Tom Thibodeau (Knicks).
PLAYING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL
The Knicks selected Woodson with the 12th pick of the 1980 NBA Draft. He enjoyed an 11-year NBA playing career with six franchises. He averaged 14.0 points over 786 games for New York (1980-81), New Jersey (1981-82), Kansas City/Sacramento (1981-82 through 1985-86), the LA Clippers (1986-87 through 1987-88), Houston (1988-89 through 1990-91), and Cleveland (1990-91). He scored a career-high 18.2 ppg with Kansas City in 1982-83. He also averaged 12.2 points in 13 career Playoff games over five postseason appearances. He averaged 4.7 points over 11.7 minutes in 81 contests during his rookie campaign with the Knicks.
He had the honor of playing for some of the most decorated coaches in league history including Red Holzman (Knicks), Larry Brown (Nets), Cotton Fitzsimmons (Kings), Gene Shue (Clippers), and Don Chaney (Clippers and Rockets).
A HOOSIER ALL-AMERICAN
Woodson averaged 18.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 52.1% from the floor and 79.2% from the free throw line in during his freshman season (1976-77) for head coach Bob Knight. His sophomore year (1977-78) produced a second-place finish in the Big Ten standings, a record of 21-8 (12-6 B1G), and a trip to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Woodson averaged 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 52.4% from the floor and 76.9% from the free throw line. After two seasons, Woodson had amassed 1,077 career points to become the second player in IU men’s basketball history to reach the 1,000-point mark in two seasons.
The Hoosiers claimed the NIT Championship during his junior season (1978-79) behind 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game from the junior All-American. He shot 49.8% from the floor and 76.3% from the charity stripe. Woodson captained the USA’s Pan American Games team to a gold medal during the summer prior to his senior year and was all set to have a perfect season with the Hoosiers who were ranked No. 1 in the preseason of the 1979-80 campaign.
However, after just five games, Woodson suffered a herniated disc in his back and had to undergo surgery. Upon losing Woodson for the next 15, the Hoosiers went 7-5 in the Big Ten play. He returned for the final six games of the regular season, all Hoosier victories, to secure his first Big Ten Conference title. He averaged 19.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game and claimed Big Ten MVP honors despite only playing six league games. Woodson’s Indiana playing career ended in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament that season.
Woodson finished his career with 2,061 career points in 104 games played. His scoring clip ranks sixth on the all-time Hoosier leaderboard. He was named an All-American in both 1979 and 1980 and was voted the 1980 Big Ten Player of the Year and the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Basketball Award Winner. His 19.8 points per game average is tied (Calbert Cheaney) for the second highest by a Hoosier who played four seasons in college.
INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL STANDOUT
At Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis, he averaged 20.1 points per game as a junior before posting 28.6 points an outing as a senior. He, along with head coach Bill Smith, led Broad Ripple to a 20-4 record his senior campaign and a trip to the sectional title game. He tallied 1,154 points in his career, earned All-State honors, and was a member of the Indiana All-Stars. He scored a game-high 26 points in the annual Indiana-Kentucky All-Star game, a contest the Hoosier state won 96-88.
PERSONAL
The 66-year-old was born on March 24, 1958, in Indianapolis. The son of Chester Lee and Odessa Woodson, he was the second youngest of 12 children. He was inducted into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. Mike and his wife, Terri, have two daughters, Alexis and Mariah, who were volleyball players at Georgia Tech. Alexis also played one season at IU.
| WOODSON’S COLLEGIATE RECORD | ||||
| Year | School | Record (Big Ten) | B1G Tournament | Potseason |
| 2021-22 | Indiana | 21-14 (9-11) | Semifinals | Round of 64 |
| 2022-23 | Indiana | 23-12 (12-8) | Semifinals | Round of 32 |
| 2023-24 | Indiana | 19-14 (10-10) | Quarterfinals | |
| 2024-25 | Indiana | 19-13 (10-10) | Second Round | |
| Career Record | 82-53 (41-39) | |||
