Mike Woodson issues his first public statement on departure from IU basketball

Former IU coach Mike Woodson, who guided the Hoosiers to two NCAA tournament appearances in four seasons, issued his first public statement on his departure from IU basketball on Friday evening.

Woodson, who is set to join the Sacramento Kings as the associate head coach, had not previously addressed his decision to step away from the program at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.

On Friday, Woodson released the following statement via his X (formerly Twitter) account:

“Coming home to lead Indiana Men’s Basketball was an honor. It was a great opportunity to represent the program that helped shape my college career, and I’m deeply grateful for the full-circle journey back to Indiana.

“Thank you to the fans for your support through the ups and downs, my players, my dedicated coaching staff, team managers, the IU professors who guided our young men off the court, the medical staff and trainers who kept us healthy, and the strength coaches who challenged us daily. To my wife, Terri, and our daughters, Marian and Alexis, your love and support have made this journey worthwhile. To my family and friends, thank you for giving me strength to continue building my vision while staying grounded.

“Coming back to my Alma Mater to coach brought me fulfillment. I’m proud to watch the young men I’ve coached transition into gentlemen on and off the court. I want them to know how proud I am of them. Our journeys will continue, and I’ll always be here for them.”