Indiana coaching search: Pete Thamel lays out what Hoosiers are targeting in Mike Woodson replacement

The Indiana Hoosiers are entering a transformative period, as head coach Mike Woodson will be stepping down after this season.

Woodson has been Indiana’s head coach since the 2021-22 season, but it certainly hasn’t gone as planned in Bloomington. Indiana is currently 14-9 and 5-7 in conference play, and they’re currently on a four-game losing streak.

As they look to move forward into more prosperous era, ESPN’s Pete Thamel joined College GameDay on Saturday to dish some information regarding what Indiana is looking for in their next head coach. They’re not afraid to throw around their big budget, and it’s evident they’re shooting for the stars in their search.

“With the Mike Woodson era officially ending at the end of this season, the question quickly gets pushed to the forefront, ‘Who will replace Mike Woodson?’ Indiana is obviously one of the country’s most enduring brands. It has unbelievable tradition. They just simply haven’t lived up to consistent expectations in the last generation,” Thamel stated. “So, what is Indiana looking for? Talking to people there in the last 48 hours, they want a proven winner, an NCAA tournament level coach, a sitting head coach who can bring Indiana back to consistent Big Ten contention, and consistent appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

“The sell on Indiana at this moment is a simple one. They’re at the top of the Big Ten in NIL. They’re among the top teams in the country in NIL. The sell is, come to Indiana, you will have a championship-level budget, and be able to compete for Final Fours. Obviously, the line has never been more linear in college basketball, if you have the money to procure a top roster, you can compete in the sport at the highest level. So, Indiana is going to sell its Power Two (Big Ten and SEC) status, and that budget, and try to lure a big name coach to Bloomington.”

All told, the pressure will be on from the jump, with whoever the Hoosiers decide on. The team reached the NCAA Tournament under Woodson during his first two seasons, but they then failed to return last year, and they’re on track to miss out on the Big Dance again this season.

Despite Woodson’s shortcomings during his tenure, he remains an Indiana legend. He played four seasons for the Hoosiers from 1976-80. During his time with the program, Woodson amassed 2,061 career points, the fifth-most in program history.

Mike Woodson will always be revered by Indiana fans and their brass, but it’s time for a change with the Hoosiers, and they won’t handcuff themselves in their search. Nothing is off the table, if Indiana believes it can bring them back to being one of the premier brands in all of college basketball.

— On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this article.