Former Indiana men’s basketball head coach Mike Woodson released a statement on Friday, his first full remarks on his departure from the program. In the statement, Woodson says that returning to Bloomington to lead the men’s basketball program was “an honor” and a great opportunity to represent the Hoosiers and his alma mater.

Mike Woodson’s return to Indiana in 2021 as head basketball coach was a nostalgic homecoming. Woodson was a former All-American under Bob Knight, who played a significant role in restoring the Hoosiers to glory.

Mike Woodson is headed back to the NBA, as he will become the Sacramento Kings' new associate head coach under Doug Christie, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Wednesday. Woodson most recently coached the Indiana men's basketball team for four seasons before the two sides parted ways this offseason.