Ex Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson might be headed back to the NBA as an assistant coach | NBA News
Former Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson could be returning to the NBA sidelines soon. As per new reports, the Sacramento Kings are looking at Woodson for their lead assistant coach role. The Kings recently named Doug Christie head coach, who had served on an interim basis after the team fired head coach Mike Brown during the regular season.
The Indiana basketball season failed to make an impression during the regular season, with February being a particularly difficult month for the team and coach Woodson. Fans are now actively rooting for his departure and even booed Woodson during a home game.
Former Indiana head coach Mike Woodson could land a key NBA coaching role
Woodson and Indiana University parted ways after four seasons. Woodson has served as an assistant coach for six different NBA teams. Woodson was an assistant with the Knicks the season before he was hired by Indiana. During his time with the Hoosiers, they achieved an 82-53 record and participated in the NCAA Tournament in both 2022 and 2023. In the 2024-25 season, IU finished with a 19-13 record. The 67-year-old coach has significant experience as an NBA head coach, leading the Atlanta Hawks for six years (2004-10), where they had a 206-286 record and made three playoff appearances, and the New York Knicks for just over two seasons (2012-14).
“Indiana fans have run out of patience with Mike Woodson. After the Hoosiers collapsed late and suffered a 79-78 loss to Maryland on Sunday, the home crowd booed its head coach as he left the floor,” wrote sports journalist Ryan Phillips. Woodson ultimately announced he would step down at the end of the season, a decision many expected. After his final game at Assembly Hall, Woodson seemed in double minds about his departure and said, “Maybe I’m leaving too soon, I don’t know,” and added, “This brings back old memories. My last game on this floor was against Ohio State for the Big Ten title back in 1980. For these seniors, this is what it’s all about.”
Woodson last coached in the NBA in 2021 and spent the past four years as the head coach at Indiana. Since he is not retiring from basketball, he could potentially join the Kings and assist in their efforts in the Western Conference.
