Statement released by athletic director Scott Dolson.
Here’s the full statement:
This past Wednesday, I met with Coach Woodson, and he revealed to me that he intends to step down as our team’s head coach at the end of the current season. According to him, he’s been grappling with this decision over time, and it’s been an emotional and challenging choice. Following this meeting, we had a thorough discussion about his decision and his desire to see the program in the best possible position moving forward. At a later point, Coach Woodson will publicly express his thoughts about this decision and his experiences over the past four years.
It’s evident from our conversations over the past few days that the top concern is to shift the focus away from him and onto the process of uniting the community in support of our student-athletes, coaches, and the program as a whole. As we move forward with the remainder of the 2024-25 season, preparing for Saturday’s matchup against Michigan, we want to urge Hoosier fans to rally behind the program, mirroring the same positive energy and support they showed during Mike’s All-America and Big Ten MVP playing career.
Coach Woodson is truly a class act. During the past four years, he has put his leadership skills to the test during a pivotal time for college athletics, particularly in key areas such as the Name, Image, and Likeness policy and the Transfer Portal. There is no one more devoted to IU Basketball than he is. I would like to extend my gratitude to him for returning to Bloomington and taking on the challenge of revitalizing our program while reconnecting it to its heritage and core values. In achieving this objective, it was essential to him that he bring back other revered IU players, including Calbert Cheaney, Randy Wittman, and Jordan Hulls, who all share his deep affection and commitment to this program. This group of individuals have collectively contributed 375 wins for the IU team, seven Big Ten championships, two Final Four appearances, and a national title.
With this decision in place, I echo Coach Woodson’s sentiment in expressing a desire to see the entire Hoosier Nation come together in support of this group of players, coaches, and the program already this Saturday afternoon.
The Hoosiers will be ushering in a new head coach for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
