‘I feel good in my skin in terms of my job’: Mike Woodson with firm reaction about news he’ll return as Indiana basketball head coach next year

There is no denying that the Indiana basketball program has been in a bit of turmoil over the last two months and less than two hours before its game against Minnesota on Wednesday, significant news broke. It was announced and then confirmed by HoosierIllustrated.com, including other outlets, that Mike Woodson would be returning to Indiana for the 2024-25 season.

Indiana responded with a 70-58 win over the Gophers, giving Indiana a three-game winning streak.

Following the win, Mike Woodson was asked about the news, to which he responded in a firm manner.

“I’m not going to discuss it,” Woodson said cutting off the question. “I shouldn’t have to sit here in front of you guys and discuss my job. No comment.”

Then, a follow up question about whether or not he felt support from the Indiana administration got a similar answer.

“I’m not discussing with you guys my job. I shouldn’t have to do that,” Woodson added. “I feel good in my skin in terms of my job.”

Indiana basketball is 17-13 overall this season and 9-10 in Big Ten play. As it sits currently in eighth place in the Big Ten, a resume that lacks any real notable wins means there is no other path to the NCAA Tournament unless it ends next week with a Big Ten Tournament title.

Even after last night’s win, Indiana sits at 92nd overall in the KenPom ratings. That is the lowest Indiana has been since the 2009-10 season when it finished 10-21 overall. It was Tom Crean’s second year in Bloomington.

Woodson, who turns 66 later this month, was recently asked about his long term outlook with the program.

“Well, again, I came back to try to put this team in the best position possible, and I’m going to continue to do that,” Woodson said last month. “I mean, I’m almost 66 but I feel good and still move around and I think I still think well in terms of the game and I still think I can teach the game.

“I don’t know. There are coaches that are coaching into their 70s. You know, I don’t know if that’s something I’ll do. I don’t know. But at this point I’ll take it a day at a time, a year at a time. I’m not going anywhere any time soon, guys, I’m just not. I’m going to continue to build this team and put it in the best position possible and see where it leads us.”

Mike Woodson led Indiana basketball to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in his first two seasons, ending a six year drought. He was rewarded with a $1 million raise coming into this year.

Indiana has its final regular season game on Sunday against Michigan State.

SEE ALSO: ‘We’re playing now like we should have been playing’: Indiana basketball takes down Minnesota for third straight victory

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