Indiana basketball is poised for a rebirth

Coming into the 2024-25 college basketball season, the Indiana Hoosiers were a Top 25 team in the country, and for good reason. Indiana returned three starters from a 19-win team, and head coach Mike Woodson revamped the roster through the transfer portal, bringing in multiple players with all-conference accolades from their previous stops. The hype around the team built steadily throughout the offseason and into the fall.

The Indiana fan experience

Speaking with Indiana fans, the feedback was always polarizing. Some fans approached this season with optimism, sensing a pivotal turn in the program’s trajectory. Others, however, saw a talented roster but doubted whether Mike Woodson could provide the necessary direction for success. The dissension in these conversations was palpable, with both sides offering valid points rooted in their own perspectives.

We don’t need to rehash the specifics of the season so far, we know what happened. But I feel for Indiana fans because basketball is supposed to be fun. Watching your basketball program 30-40 times a year should be a privilege, but it felt like many viewed these games with apprehension, hoping only to avoid another embarrassment. There’s no joy in that, especially when it feels like the entire country is waiting to laugh at your misery. Wins feel like a relief rather than a reason to celebrate, and losses feel like another axe swing into a once proud program.

A legacy of instability

Indiana fans don’t deserve that, but at the same time, it reflects the current state of the basketball program. A tweet circulated pointing out that there have been six head coaches since Bobby Knight, and Mike Woodson ranks only behind Kelvin Sampson. Also note that Sampson was let go during just his second season. You can argue that Woodson’s teams had more talent and higher expectations than others, and you can point to different circumstances, but the fact remains: Indiana has not been stable since Bobby Knight.

Win Percentages of Indiana basketball coaches since Bob Knight

Kelvin Sampson: .741
Mike Woodson: .611
Mike Davis: .593
Tom Crean: .551
Archie Miller: .536
Dan Dakich: .429

📵📵📵 pic.twitter.com/jBIR0fFZ4X

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) February 7, 2025

Tom Crean and Mike Davis have had the most successful three seasons post-Knight with Big Ten titles, but there has been so much inconsistency in 25 years. And yet, I would still argue that Indiana is a Top 5 college basketball job in the country. The brand may feel room temperature right now, but it’s dipped in kerosene, waiting to explode. Here’s why.

Why Indiana remains a top coaching destination

The Indiana athletic department has consistently shown unwavering support for its basketball coaches, providing them with every resource needed to succeed, especially in the NIL era, where building and retaining rosters is key to success. You might think this level of support happens everywhere, but it doesn’t. In Bloomington, basketball isn’t competing with other sports for attention, it’s the main event.

Another strength of the Indiana administration is the patience they afford their coaches. While this might frustrate fans eager for quick results, it offers coaches the stability they crave. Indiana doesn’t fire head coaches prematurely, making it an attractive destination for anyone looking to build something meaningful without constantly looking over their shoulder.

The fan support and elite basketball atmosphere make Indiana basketball the main show in town. Coaches dream of leading a program where, when a recruit’s family turns on the TV, they see over 17,000 fans going nuts in Assembly Hall. That energy, that passion, it’s intoxicating.

From a national perspective, Indiana is still very relevant. Everyone has paid attention this season, often reveling in the Hoosiers’ struggles. If Indiana’s brand were truly fading, there would be silence, but the chatter and headlines have been loud and relentless.

Make the right hire

When it comes to the coaching search, Indiana needs someone who understands the expectations that come with this job. If you’re content with mediocrity and occasional success, go coach at Northwestern. Indiana isn’t for you. The time is now to make the right hire. It’s been 23 years since an Elite Eight appearance. Since the national title game in 2002, nine current Big Ten schools have at least reached the Elite Eight, and eight have been to a Final Four. Enough is enough.

There’s never been an easier time to rebuild a program exactly how a coach envisions it, especially with Indiana’s resources and the flexibility of the transfer portal and NIL opportunities. The tools are there. No more excuses. Get it done.

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