SHOCKING 😱:Former Indiana head coach Mike Woodson hired to join Sacramento Kings returns to the NBA after coaching the Indiana Hoosiers from 2021-2025

In a surprising development for both college basketball fans and NBA observers, former Indiana Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson has officially returned to the NBA accepting the role of associate head coach for the Sacramento Kings. This move marks the end of his four-year stint leading Indiana University’s men’s basketball program and a notable return to professional basketball where Woodson previously found significant success.

Woodson, 67, will now work under **Doug Christie**, recently promoted to head coach of the Kings. The hiring was confirmed on May 7, 2025, and represents a strategic effort by Sacramento’s front office to bring veteran experience and proven leadership to a team that has struggled to find consistency in recent seasons.

Mike Woodson took over as head coach of Indiana in 2021, returning to his alma mater with hopes of restoring the program’s historical dominance. While he managed to guide the Hoosiers to two NCAA Tournament appearances and led several strong recruiting classes, his time at IU was marked by inconsistency. Woodson finished with a 82–53 record but faced criticism for Indiana’s struggles against top-tier Big Ten competition and limited postseason success.

After the 2024–25 season, Indiana and Woodson mutually agreed to part ways, paving the path for his next move—back to the NBA, where his coaching résumé is both lengthy and respected.

Woodson’s return to the professional ranks is far from unfamiliar territory. A former first-round NBA draft pick in 1980, he had an 11-year playing career before transitioning into coaching. Woodson served as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks from 2004 to 2010, and later the New York Knicks, where he notably led the franchise to its first Atlantic Division title in nearly two decades in 2012/13.

In addition to his head coaching experience, Woodson has held assistant coaching roles with the Detroit Pistons Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers, working under some of the league’s most respected names. His expertise in defense and player development made him a valuable figure throughout his NBA career.

The Sacramento Kings are betting on Woodson’s wealth of experience to help revitalize their young and talented roster. While head coach Doug Christie is still relatively new to leading an NBA bench, the presence of a seasoned strategist like Woodson adds balance and insight to the coaching staff.

The Kings narrowly missed the playoffs during the 2024–25 season, falling short in the play-in tournament. With Woodson now on board, expectations are higher for the upcoming season as the team looks to build on its core of rising stars and contend in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

Woodson’s return is not just a professional shift—it’s a full-circle moment for a basketball lifer whose influence has touched both the college and professional levels. As the Sacramento Kings prepare for a crucial offseason, all eyes will be on how this high-profile addition shapes their future.