Indiana is enduring a rough patch, and so is Mike Woodson. Last night in Bloomington, the Hoosiers found themselves on the losing side once again, suffering their second consecutive 25-point defeat. With mounting pressure and disappointing performances, Woodson’s position as head coach is now in jeopardy. Critics are beginning to suggest that turning to an “alma mater” coach might be the solution to Indiana’s struggles.

In the recent episode of The Field Of 68: After Dark, Terrence Oglesby stated: “He’s 56, so he’ll never do anything but coach. He keeps saying, ‘I’m too old for this sh-t’, he’ll coach till he’s in the six feet deep. He can’t get the job because the name isn’t sexy enough but he just made an elite eight, two years ago they made a sweet 16. the playing field is leveled, you see the kind of player he’s getting now, and how they’re competing consistently beat Kentucky at home.”

Any guess who this person might be? Well, it’s Brad Brownell, the 56-year-old Indiana native, who has certainly proven himself as a reliable leader for the Clemson Tigers. He’s guided the team to deep postseason runs, including the Elite Eight in 2024 and the Sweet 16 in 2018. His ability to compete at the highest level was evident on December 4, 2024, when the Tigers secured a 70-66 victory over the No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats. With his proven experience and success, Brownell could bring the stability and strategic edge Indiana needs to overcome their Big Ten struggles and restore their competitive edge.

Brownell’s coaching journey began in Indiana as a graduate assistant at Evansville under Jim Crews in 1991-92, where he helped the team achieve an impressive 24-6 record. He continued to build on his success at the University of Indianapolis, serving as an assistant coach from 1992 to 1994, solidifying himself as the first choice.

On the other hand, Mike Woodson, hired in 2021, has a 76-45 record and led Indiana to the NCAA tournament in his first two years. Despite a disappointing 19-14 season last year and rumors of his firing, the school gave him another chance and now, Indiana’s struggles this season have raised more doubts. However, amid all the pressure and chaos, a college basketball star has stepped up in the coach’s support.

Senior backs Woodson following Indiana’s disappointing loss to Illinois

The loss to Illinois sparked outrage among fans inside Assembly Hall, with chants of “Fire Woodson” filling the air. However, Luke Goode stepped up in defense of his coach, responding to the negative chants and social media backlash.

“It’s all those fans who were booing and being so negative on social media,” Goode said. “Just don’t switch sides when we turn this thing around.” The forward wasn’t blind to the reality of the situation either, as he admitted the team’s struggles, “I understand it. We got embarrassed.” 

The Hoosiers had an embarrassing night as they shot just 38.5% from the field while getting outworked on the boards, and struggling defensively. As the game wore on, the frustration from fans and players alike grew louder. Trailing by as much as 31 points and facing a 28-point halftime deficit, Indiana ended up losing their second straight conference game, leaving them No. 7 in Big 10 (13-5).

The Hoosiers’ struggles continue, and with growing frustration from fans and critics, the pressure is mounting on Mike Woodson. While the players stand by their coach, the team must find a way to bounce back and regain its form if they hope to turn the season around.