Mike Woodson stood on the edge of the court, his voice cracking, his eyes glistening as he looked around Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall one last time. “My whole life was shaped in this building. Maybe I’m leaving too soon, I don’t know,” he admitted, his emotions pouring out after his Indiana Hoosiers completed a dramatic comeback to defeat Ohio State 66-60 in his final game at home. After just four years at Indiana — a tenure filled with passion, progress, and heartbreak — Woodson’s time as the head coach has come to an end. And now, Indiana faces a daunting task — replacing a man who lived and breathed Hoosiers basketball. Easy? Absolutely not.
Joe Tipton of On3 Sports has revealed that Indiana has already started hunting for Woodson’s successor, and the shortlist includes eight names. But here’s the twist — almost every frontrunner they’re targeting has already slammed the door shut. The Hoosiers were eyeing Michigan head coach Dusty May, who seemed like a perfect fit. Born in Indiana, former student manager for the Hoosiers, and now one of the hottest coaching names in the country — it felt like destiny. But not anymore. May just signed an extension with Michigan last month, effectively wiping him off the board. Strike one.
Alright, no big deal — they’ll just go after TJ Otzelberger from Iowa State or Scott Drew from Baylor, right? Wrong again. Otzelberger has turned Iowa State into a powerhouse in the Big 12 and has no intentions of leaving. As for Scott Drew? Forget about it. He’s already built an empire at Baylor, leading them to a national championship and consistent tournament runs. Why would he walk away now? Strike two.
So where does Indiana turn next? Well, Chris Beard’s name popped up — the fiery coach who once worked under the legendary Bob Knight at Texas Tech. But here’s where things get murky. Beard has a troubling past — he was arrested on a third-degree felony charge not long ago — and that alone might be enough for Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson to stay away from him. Even if Beard’s coaching pedigree is undeniable, his baggage is just too heavy. Strike three.
The list isn’t getting any easier. Buzz Williams from Texas A&M? Minimal interest. Greg McDermott from Creighton? No formal approach yet. It’s starting to feel like Indiana is running out of options. But wait — there’s still hope. Two names have now surfaced as legitimate contenders: Drake’s Ben McCollum and Clemson’s Brad Brownell. McCollum, a four-time Division II national champion coach, took over at Drake last season and instantly made them a winner — leading them to the Missouri Valley regular season and tournament championship. His stock is rising fast, and Indiana may want to act quickly before someone else snatches him up.
Then there’s Brownell — a native of Evansville, Indiana — who’s quietly built Clemson into a respectable force in the ACC. He led them to an Elite Eight appearance last season, and they’re currently ranked 10th in the nation. If Brownell ever had a moment to come home, this might be it. But here’s the catch — would leaving a successful program for a rebuild in Indiana make sense for him? Tough call.
But while the coaching search rages on, Mike Woodson isn’t done just yet. His team still has a Big Ten Tournament to play, and the Hoosiers are clinging to their slim NCAA tournament hopes. Finishing 9th in the Big Ten with a 10-10 record wasn’t ideal, but there’s still a sliver of hope. Their first-round matchup? The red-hot Oregon Ducks, who are riding a seven-game winning streak and have already beaten Indiana once this season. It’s the ultimate test for Woodson — can he pull off one final magical run to extend his time with the Hoosiers? Or will his coaching career at Indiana end unceremoniously in Indianapolis? One thing is certain — the next few days will either mark the beginning of a new era or the painful goodbye of one of Indiana’s own. Buckle up, Hoosier fans — this ride is far from over.
