WOODSON HAS REBUILDING PLAN FOR INDIANA BASKETBALL

Mike Woodson has a plan to revive Indiana basketball.

He wants former players involved. He hopes to blend traditional college philosophies with NBA concepts. And he promises to focus on player development.

It’s a combination that may finally satisfy Hoosiers fans. One day after Woodson left the New York Knicks to take the coaching job at his alma mater, Woodson provided a glimpse into his long-term vision.

“I’ve never coached in college, but I like to think I’ve coached at the highest level and I’ve coached some of the greatest that ever graced the basketball court,” Woodson said during Monday’s video call. “Yes, there are going to be some challenges for me. But at the end of the day, coaching is coaching and I’ve got to get players, recruit quality student-athletes and get players who can come in here and help this program move in the right direction.”

Woodson certainly has an appealing background to those with NBA aspirations.

After playing for coach Bob Knight and finishing his college career as Indiana’s second 2,000-point scorer, he played 11 seasons in the NBA before moving into coaching. Woodson spent four decades on NBA sidelines, going 315365 in nine seasons as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and the Knicks, winning an NBA title as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons and mentoring more than two dozen All-Stars.

The Hoosiers are also hiring former Ohio State basketball coach Thad Matta as an associate athletic director for men’s basketball administration, according to Zach Osterman of the Indy Star.

The hire brings him back to the state where he has a long history. He played and coached for Butler.

Matta spent 13 seasons with the Buckeyes, leading them to a 337–123 record (150–78 Big Ten).