Indiana’s search for the program’s next head coach continues into March — with some interesting comments from current head coach Mike Woodson, who previously announced his intention to step down at the end of the season.
Indiana Hoosiers Coaching Search List Narrows
The Hoosiers are on a quest to find their program’s next head coach, a job search that has been made rather public.
Their top targets reportedly were current Michigan head coach Dusty May, current Boston Celtics general manager and former Butler Bulldogs head coach Brad Stevens, current Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger, and current Baylor head coach Scott Drew.
Indiana AD Scott Dolson moving down its list for its next coach, per source.
No Brad Stevens (obviously), no Dusty May, no TJ Otzelberger, no Scott Drew.
As I fully expected.
Now it’s gonna get interesting in Bloomington.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 9, 2025
Now, all of those potential candidates can likely be ruled out of the search, according to a social media post by college basketball insider Jeff Goodman.
“Indiana AD Scott Dolson moving down its list for its next coach, per source. No Brad Stevens (obviously), no Dusty May, no TJ Otzelberger, no Scott Drew. As I fully expected. Now it’s gonna get interesting in Bloomington,” Goodman said.
Woodson announced in February that he was going to step down following the 2024-25 season, a decision that led to the pending coaching search.
At that point in the season, the Hoosiers looked dead in the water in terms of making the NCAA Tournament. They’ve since won five of their last seven games to finish the regular season, including victories over the No. 11 Michigan State Spartans on the road and No. 13 Purdue Boilermakers.
Now, with a solid performance in the Big Ten Tournament, they’ll have put themselves in a good position to earn an at-large bid into the 68-team field that is the tournament.
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On the Hoosiers’ senior night on Saturday — a key 66-60 victory over fellow bubble team, the Ohio State Buckeyes — Woodson reflected on the night, stating, “Maybe I’m leaving too soon.”
If there is a possibility of Woodson coming back, it seems like he may be open to the possibility — further clouding Dolson’s decision.
Indiana’s Next Move: Weighing Experience vs. Fresh Perspective
With the top coaching targets seemingly out of the picture, Indiana now faces a crucial decision. Do they pursue a proven veteran coach with years of experience at the collegiate level or take a chance on an up-and-coming name looking for their first shot at leading a major program?
Names like former Indiana player and current NBA assistant Calbert Cheaney, Ohio head coach Jeff Boals, and Marquette’s Shaka Smart could surface as viable candidates. Cheaney, a Hoosiers legend, would bring deep ties to the program, while Boals has quietly built a strong résumé at Ohio. Smart, meanwhile, has revitalized Marquette and could be enticed by a return to the Big Ten.
With Woodson’s recent comments leaving the door open for a return, Indiana’s coaching search may take even more unexpected turns in the coming weeks. Dolson and the Hoosiers administration must balance fan expectations with long-term program stability in what is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable searches in college basketball.
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