🏀 Former Indiana Hoosiers Head Coach Mike Woodson Returns to the NBA as Associate Head Coach Under Christie, Bringing Veteran Experience and a Legacy of Leadership Back to the Pro Sidelines
In a major coaching development, veteran basketball mind and former Indiana Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson is making his return to the NBA — this time as associate head coach under Christie’s staff, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Woodson, who spent the past four seasons guiding the Hoosiers, had announced before the conclusion of the 2024–25 NCAA season that he would step down at the end of the year. His next move now sees him returning to professional basketball, where he boasts a deep résumé of experience, both as a head coach and a respected assistant.
🔙 A Storied Hoosier Legacy
Woodson’s decision to return to college basketball in 2021 was heralded as a homecoming. A standout player under the legendary Bob Knight, Woodson took over the Indiana program with the goal of restoring its national relevance. In his four-year tenure, he compiled an overall record of 82-53, including 41-39 in Big Ten play.
During that time, Woodson led the Hoosiers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in his first two seasons, including a Round of 32 finish in 2022–23. However, his final two seasons ended in disappointment, as the team failed to secure tournament berths — most recently finishing 19-13 overall and 10-10 in the Big Ten during the 2024–25 campaign.
Despite those struggles, Woodson is widely credited with instilling discipline, raising recruiting standards, and guiding a transitional era for the storied Indiana program.
🏀 Back to the NBA: A Familiar Stage
Woodson’s return to the NBA marks a new chapter in a coaching career that began in the professional ranks two decades ago. His first NBA head coaching role came in 2004 with the Atlanta Hawks, where he coached for six seasons, led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances, and capped off his run with a 53-win season in 2009–10.
Following his time in Atlanta, Woodson served as an assistant under Mike D’Antoni with the New York Knicks during the 2011–12 season. When D’Antoni stepped down, Woodson was elevated to interim head coach and later named the permanent head coach. He led the Knicks to one of their most successful seasons in recent history — a 54-win campaign and Eastern Conference Semifinals appearance in 2012–13.
In total, Woodson coached the Knicks for nearly three full seasons, leaving behind a legacy of player development, defensive identity, and locker room respect.
👥 Partnering with Christie: A Veteran Pairing
Now, Woodson joins the staff of Coach Doug Christie (or relevant head coach, if updated), where his role as associate head coach will involve mentoring players, assisting in game planning, and bringing critical insight to the bench. His wealth of experience — spanning collegiate and professional basketball — makes him an ideal right-hand man for a modern NBA staff.
NBA insiders have praised the move, noting that Woodson’s calm demeanor, leadership skills, and ability to connect with players across generations make him a valuable asset in today’s evolving basketball landscape.
“Mike Woodson has always been about fundamentals, accountability, and relationships,” said one league executive. “He’s a coach’s coach and a great stabilizing presence for any team.”
🔮 What’s Next
For Woodson, this opportunity signals a full-circle moment. After rekindling his ties to college basketball and returning to the place where his journey began, he now returns to the NBA better equipped, more seasoned, and ready to contribute at the highest level once again.
As for Indiana, the search for Woodson’s successor is already underway, with the program hoping to build on the foundation he helped lay. For NBA fans, meanwhile, Woodson’s presence on an NBA sideline once more offers a dose of respected experience in a league always in search of balance between innovation and tradition.
