Indiana hires Knicks assistant Mike Woodson as former Hoosiers star replaces Archie Miller as coach

Indiana has hired legendary former Hoosier and current New York Knicks assistant Mike Woodson as their next coach, the program announced Sunday. Woodson will replace Archie Miller, who was fired this month after failing to reach the NCAA tournament in four seasons on the job.

Woodson, 63, is an Indiana native who has scored more than 2,000 points during his college career while playing for legendary coach Bob Knight. He then played for over a decade in the NBA and spent the past 25 years as an NBA coach.

The Hoosiers reportedly targeted Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens and Ohio State Chris Holtmann before turning to Woodson, who was never a college basketball coach. However, Woodson has been a head coach, having coached the Hawks from 2004 to 2010 and was head coach of the Knicks from 2012 to 2014.

While Woodson’s lack of college coaching experience stands out, he will have a Big Ten veteran to help him out. Former Ohio State Coach Thad Matta will join the Indiana Sports Department as associate athletic director for the administration of men’s basketball, CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander confirmed.

Having Matta as a sounding board could be a valuable resource for Woodson as he navigates the minefield of NCAA recruiting rules and other unique college basketball challenges.

Woodson averaged 19.8 points per game over his four-year career in Indiana, even though there was no 3-point line. He was selected 12th overall in the 1980 NBA Draft.

Woodson will become the last former varsity player to accept the head coach position at his alma mater despite his lack of experience as a college head coach.

Michigan thriving under second-year Juwan Howard, Georgetown just reached the NCAA tournament for the first time under the direction of fourth-year coach Patrick Ewing and Memphis just won the NIT under third-year coach Penny Hardaway.