BREAKING NEWS: Former Hoosier Coach Mike Woodson Sends Message to New Indiana Head Coach Darian DeVries
In a surprising but heartfelt development, former Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball head coach Mike Woodson—now serving as the associate head coach of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings—has publicly addressed newly-appointed IU head coach Darian DeVries with a message that has Hoosier Nation buzzing.
Woodson, who led the Indiana Hoosiers from 2021 to 2024, took to social media earlier this week and followed up with comments to reporters in Sacramento, offering his support and a few words of wisdom to DeVries, who is stepping into one of the most scrutinized roles in college basketball.
“Indiana will always be home,” Woodson said. “That program shaped me as a player and gave me the opportunity to give back as a coach. Now it’s Coach DeVries’ turn, and I’m rooting for him to succeed. Hoosier Nation deserves greatness, and I believe he has the mindset to bring that back to Bloomington.”
Woodson emphasized the importance of embracing the school’s deep-rooted basketball tradition while also adapting to the modern landscape of NIL deals, the transfer portal, and ever-increasing pressure for immediate results.
“Coach DeVries doesn’t need advice—he’s a proven winner. But I’ll say this: stay true to the culture, and the wins will come. Don’t let the noise distract you. Indiana basketball is sacred, and it requires both patience and passion.”
Darian DeVries, formerly the head coach at Drake, took the reins at Indiana earlier this spring. Known for his defensive tenacity and player development acumen, DeVries inherits a program hungry for a return to national prominence. While expectations are high, support from a respected figure like Woodson may ease the transition—and rally fans around the new era.
As Woodson wrapped up his message, he left Hoosier fans with a final note: “Once a Hoosier, always a Hoosier. I’ll be watching.”
The message has been widely shared on social media and embraced by the IU faithful as a symbolic passing of the torch—and a show of unity in a time of transition.
