Woodson, in his fourth season at Indiana — his alma mater — is not expected to return as the Hoosiers’ head coach next season, according to multiple reports on Thursday. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Woodson is expected to coach the rest of the year but wishes to retire after the season.
Indiana is on pace to miss the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season, as it has lost six of its last seven games. Woodson and the Hoosiers trailed 19-2 to Wisconsin on Tuesday after a little under five minutes into the first half.
Woodson would be owed $8.4 million if he were to be fired at the end of the season, based on his current buyout in his contract. The school could, however, pay that buyout in $1 million sums each year to lessen the financial burden if he were to be fired.
Indiana started the season ranked No. 18 after bringing in one of the best transfer portal classes in the country, but the reinforcements haven’t worked so far this season.
Here’s everything to know about Woodson, who’s expected to no longer coach Indiana after the season:
Woodson hasn’t been officially fired, as multiple outlets reported Thursday that Woodson came to Indiana with a desire to step down after the season.
It’s unclear if the decision was mutual or exclusively Woodson’s decision, but regardless, the Hoosiers’ struggles seemed likely to result in changes sooner rather than later, given Indiana’s status as a blue blood program.
Woodson is expected to coach the remainder of the season, but is not expected to return next season, according to Thamel.
“We’re just not a tough team right now,” Woodson said after Indiana’s 76-64 loss to Wisconsin on Tuesday. “We’re not. Mentally we’re not tough.”
Indiana has a 14-9 record this season, with a 5-7 record in Big Ten play. Overall, Woodson has a 77-49 record in four seasons at Indiana with a 1-2 record in the NCAA tournament.
Woodson would be owed $8.4 million if he were to be fired by March 30, 2026, according to his contract.
In the instance that Woodson would be fired, Indiana would only have to pay Woodson in $1 million annual lump sum payments until the total figure is paid to lessen the financial burden on the school.
Woodson is 66 years old, and in his fourth season as a college coach. Woodson, a longtime NBA assistant, was also the head coach for the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks in his career.
Woodson was an assistant coach for the Knicks before taking the Indiana job.