Following a season that fell short of expectations, the Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball program is undergoing significant changes. On February 7, 2025, head coach Mike Woodson announced he would step down at the end of the 2024–25 season after four years at the helm.
Woodson’s tenure included notable achievements, such as ending long-standing losing streaks against rivals Purdue and Michigan, and securing NCAA tournament appearances in both the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons. However, the 2024–25 season saw the Hoosiers struggle, finishing with an 18–12 record and a 9–10 mark in Big Ten play, leading to Woodson’s decision to resign.
In the wake of Woodson’s departure, speculation has arisen regarding potential candidates to lead the Hoosiers. One prominent name is former Big East Coach of the Year, Chris Beard. Beard’s coaching pedigree includes successful stints at programs like Texas Tech and, more recently, Ole Miss, where he led the Rebels to significant achievements before his departure.
The prospect of Beard returning to the Big Ten to coach Indiana has generated considerable interest. His track record of revitalizing programs and achieving postseason success aligns with Indiana’s aspirations to reclaim its former prominence in college basketball.
As the search for a new head coach intensifies, Indiana’s administration faces the critical task of selecting a leader capable of navigating the competitive Big Ten landscape and restoring the Hoosiers to national prominence. The decision will have lasting implications for the program’s trajectory in the seasons to come.
