Indiana’s Coaching Conundrum: The Search for a Successor Hits Roadblocks
The Indiana Hoosiers find themselves at a crossroads. With head coach Mike Woodson stepping away after four intense years, the program is scrambling to find a worthy successor. Woodson, an Indiana legend and a 2004 NBA champion assistant coach, poured his heart and soul into this team, shaping young stars like Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino. But as he bid farewell with an emotional 66-60 comeback victory over Ohio State, the question looms large—who can possibly fill his shoes?
A Straightforward Search? Think Again.
Finding a new leader for the Hoosiers seemed like a simple task. Indiana’s athletic department wasted no time in compiling a shortlist of eight potential candidates. Easy enough, right? Wrong. The search has quickly spiraled into a series of dead ends, last-minute snubs, and unexpected hurdles.
At the top of Indiana’s wishlist was Michigan’s Dusty May, an Indiana native with deep roots in the Hoosier State. But just when fans started dreaming of a homecoming, May crushed those hopes by committing to a long-term extension with Michigan, locking his future in Ann Arbor. Strike one.
Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger and Baylor’s Scott Drew were also prime targets, but both coaches seem quite content where they are. Drew, who has built Baylor into a national powerhouse, isn’t leaving his castle, and Otzelberger, fresh off multiple successful seasons, has no reason to jump ship. Strike two.
Then came whispers of Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard, a fiery competitor who once learned under the legendary Bob Knight. But there’s a catch—Beard’s controversial past, including a third-degree felony charge, makes him a risky choice. Indiana’s athletic director, Scott Dolson, is unlikely to roll the dice on a coach with baggage. Strike three? Not yet.
Who’s Left in the Running?
As Indiana scrambles, a few names remain in the mix. Texas A&M’s Buzz Williams has been floated, but his enthusiasm for the job appears lukewarm at best. Creighton’s Greg McDermott might be intrigued, but Indiana hasn’t even picked up the phone to call him.
So who are the real contenders? Enter Drake’s Ben McCollum and Clemson’s Brad Brownell.
McCollum, a four-time Division II national champion with Northwest Missouri State, is a coaching wizard. In just his first year at Drake, he turned the Bulldogs into a powerhouse, clinching the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title and securing a coveted NCAA Tournament berth. His ability to develop talent and win immediately makes him an attractive candidate.
Then there’s Brad Brownell, an Indiana native with a wealth of experience. Since taking over at Clemson in 2010, he has steadily built the program, most recently guiding the Tigers to an Elite Eight appearance. With his team ranked in the AP Top 10, Brownell has the résumé to step in and lead the Hoosiers back to national prominence.
But with the search still wide open, Indiana’s future remains uncertain. And while the fans grow restless, one thing is clear—this hiring process is anything but smooth sailing.
Woodson’s Last Dance: Can Indiana Make a Run?
For now, Mike Woodson’s story isn’t quite over. The Hoosiers still have business to handle in the Big Ten Tournament, and their postseason fate is hanging by a thread.
Woodson himself is staying locked in, refusing to make his final moments about himself. “At the end of the day, it’s not about me right now,” he said. “It’s about this team and us going up to Indianapolis and trying to win the Big Ten Tournament.”
Indiana, finishing ninth in the conference with a 10-10 record, secured a first-round bye. But the road ahead isn’t easy. Their first test? The Oregon Ducks on March 13th at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Oregon, riding a red-hot seven-game win streak, won the last time these two teams met. Indiana knows that a deep tournament run is their only shot at securing a March Madness bid, but with a 4-12 record against Quad 1 teams, the odds are stacked against them. However, the Hoosiers have been dominant against lesser competition, boasting an undefeated 15-0 record against Quad 2-4 teams. If they can string together a few statement wins, Woodson’s tenure might last just a little longer.
One thing’s for sure—whether it’s the coaching search or the Big Ten Tournament, the drama is far from over in Bloomington. Stay tuned, because the next chapter of Indiana basketball is about to be written.
