Indiana Basketball’s Coaching Carousel: Who’s Next?
In the world of college basketball, few jobs carry the weight and prestige of leading the Indiana Hoosiers. As of Thursday, it seems that this coveted position is on the brink of becoming available. ESPN reports that Mike Woodson, the current head coach, is not expected to return for the 2025-26 season. This development marks a significant moment in the high-major coaching carousel, which has been in motion since Virginia’s Tony Bennett announced his retirement in late October.
Since then, the coaching landscape has seen notable changes, with ACC coaches Jim Larrañaga and Leonard Hamilton also stepping down. Larrañaga left Miami in December during his 14th season, while Hamilton announced his departure from Florida State in early February after 23 seasons. However, the potential vacancy at Indiana stands out as the most significant of this cycle.
Woodson’s tenure at Indiana began with promise, as he led the team to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and a second-place finish in the Big Ten in 2023. Unfortunately, the Hoosiers have struggled since, missing last year’s NCAA tournament and currently holding a 5-7 record in conference play. Despite high preseason expectations and a significant investment in a talented portal class, success has been elusive. Compounding the issue, Woodson and his staff missed out on top in-state recruits Jalen Haralson and Braylon Mullins, who chose Notre Dame and UConn, respectively.
How Attractive is the Indiana Job?
From a historical perspective, Indiana is a storied program with five national championships and eight Final Four appearances. The 1976 team remains the last undefeated team in college basketball. However, recent years have not been as kind. The Hoosiers haven’t reached a Final Four since 2002 and have only two NCAA tournament wins in the past eight years, one of which was a First Four victory in 2022.
Indiana is no longer the destination program it once was, even for in-state prospects like Haralson and Mullins. The fan base is eager for a return to the glory days of Bob Knight, when the Hoosiers were a national powerhouse. Despite Woodson’s status as an alum who played under Knight, the tide turned against him quickly.
However, the role comes with significant resources. Indiana boasts one of the largest NIL budgets in the Big Ten and the country, providing a competitive edge in recruiting top transfers. This financial backing is a key selling point for athletic director Scott Dolson as he seeks Woodson’s successor.
Could It Really Be Brad Stevens?
Indiana will undoubtedly aim high in its coaching search, and Brad Stevens is a name that will be at the top of the list. An Indiana native, Stevens led Butler to back-to-back national championship games in 2010 and 2011 before moving to the NBA to coach the Boston Celtics in 2013. He was the dream candidate the last time the job opened, but Indiana ultimately hired Woodson.
Since then, Stevens has been promoted to the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, and the team won the NBA championship last season. Stevens was also named the 2023-24 NBA Executive of the Year. While the idea of Stevens returning to college coaching is enticing, it seems like a long shot.
Who Are the Next Calls on the List?
- Scott Drew, Baylor: Drew was pursued by both Kentucky and Louisville last year but turned down both offers. He has ties to Indiana, having attended Butler and coached at Valparaiso, but he has been at Baylor since 2003 and has shown no eagerness to leave.
- Bruce Pearl, Auburn: Pearl has Auburn as the No. 1 team in the country, with a 21-1 record. He has a reasonable buyout, the personality to energize the fan base, and Midwest experience. However, leaving Auburn now seems unlikely.
- T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State: Otzelberger has done an impressive job at Iowa State, leading the Cyclones to two Sweet 16s and a top-10 national ranking. His buyout was reduced with a new contract in December, making him a viable candidate.
- Dusty May, Michigan: An Indiana native and former student manager for Knight, May led Florida Atlantic to a Final Four in 2023 before taking over at Michigan. Indiana may have missed its chance with him.
- Chris Beard, Ole Miss: Beard has Ole Miss in the top 25 but carries baggage from his time at Texas, where he was fired following an arrest on a domestic family violence charge that was later dismissed.
Who Are Realistic Candidates if the Top Targets Say No?
Buzz Williams, Texas A&M: Williams has a track record of success at Marquette, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M. His buyout is believed to be low, and he would likely listen if Indiana called.
Grant McCasland, Texas Tech: McCasland has done an outstanding job at Texas Tech, with the team knocking on the door of the top 10. A deep run in March could make him an attractive candidate.
Greg McDermott, Creighton: Known for his offensive acumen, McDermott has led Creighton to multiple NCAA tournament wins and a share of the Big East regular-season title in 2020. His buyout isn’t believed to be high.
Any Potential Sleeper Candidates?
While it’s unlikely to reach this point, Drake’s Ben McCollum could be a dark horse. He has won four Division II national championships and has Drake off to a 21-2 start in his first season as a Division I head coach.
Will Wade, McNeese: Wade has high-major experience and is likely to land a big job this cycle, though Indiana might not be the best fit.
Josh Schertz, Saint Louis: Schertz had success at Indiana State and could be a candidate if he leads Saint Louis to the tournament.
Finally, there’s Mark Byington, who has done a fantastic job at Vanderbilt after leading James Madison to an NCAA tournament win. However, his buyout is likely prohibitive.
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello
