Former Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson released a statement Friday night, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to coach his alma mater.
“Coming home to lead Indiana Men’s Basketball was an honor. It was a great opportunity to represent the program that helped shape my college career, and I’m deeply grateful for the full-circle journey back to Indiana,” he wrote in his first comments about leaving IU since it was announced Feb. 7 he would step down at season’s end.
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“Thank you to the fans for your support through the ups and downs, my players, my dedicated coaching staff, team managers, the IU professors who guided our young men off the court, the medical staff and trainers who kept us healthy, and the strength coaches who challenged us daily. To my wife, Terri, and our daughters, Mariah and Alexis, your love and support have made this journey worthwhile. To my family and friends, thank you for giving me strength to continue building my vision while staying grounded.
“Coming back to my Alma Mater to coach brought me fulfillment. I’m proud to watch the young men I’ve coached transition into gentlemen on and off the court. I want them to know how proud I am of them. Our journeys will continue, and I’ll always be there for them.”
‘Am I crazy?’: Analyst believes IU can push archrival Purdue for Big Ten title
Woodson coached IU the past four seasons, going 82-53 with NCAA tournament appearances his first two seasons.
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Darian DeVries was hired as Hoosiers coach.
Woodson reportedly will be named Sacramento Kings associate head coach.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mike Woodson statement on IU basketball coach tenure
