History of Mike Woodson in Timeline

Michael "Mike" Woodson is a former professional basketball player and coach with a career spanning several decades. He played in the NBA for 11 seasons, primarily as a guard. Following his playing career, Woodson transitioned into coaching, holding head coaching positions with the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, and most recently, Indiana University, his alma mater. He is known for his coaching style, aiming to bring success to each team he manages.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 24, 1958: Michael Dean Woodson Born

On March 24, 1958, Michael Dean Woodson was born. He later became a professional basketball player and coach.

1958: Born in Indianapolis

In 1958, Mike Woodson was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the second youngest of 12 children, facing financial struggles and family health challenges early in life.

1976: College career at Indiana Hoosiers begins

In 1976, Mike Woodson began his collegiate basketball career with coach Bob Knight's Indiana Hoosiers.

1976: Freshman Year at Indiana University

In 1976, Mike Woodson began his freshman year at Indiana University, facing challenges with physical play and Coach Knight's demanding coaching style.

1977: Second Season at Indiana University

During the 1977-78 season, Mike Woodson's sophomore year, the Hoosiers finished the regular season with an overall record of 21-8 and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the 1978 NCAA Tournament.

1978: Hoosiers advance to Sweet Sixteen in NCAA Tournament

In 1978, during Woodson's sophomore year, the Hoosiers advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.

1978: Named captain of the Hoosier team

In 1978, during his junior year, Mike Woodson was named captain of the Hoosier team.

1979: Leads Indiana to NIT Tournament victory

In 1979, Mike Woodson led Indiana to victory in the NIT Tournament, following a controversy where Big Ten coaches initially left him off their all-conference first team.

1979: Selected for Pan American Games Basketball Team

In 1979, Mike Woodson was selected to play for the United States in the Pan American Games on the basketball team coached by Indiana's Bob Knight. As captain, he led the team to a 9-0 record and a gold medal.

1979: Wins NIT Tournament and Pan American Games Gold Medal

In 1979, Mike Woodson, as a junior team captain, led the Indiana Hoosiers to win the NIT Tournament and was named to the first team All-Big Ten. During the summer of 1979, Woodson also captained the United States basketball team, winning a gold medal at the Pan American Games.

1979: Ranked Number 1 in the polls

In 1979, the Hoosiers, led by Woodson and Isiah Thomas, began the season ranked No. 1 in the polls after a rare 78–50 blow-out of the Soviet Union men's national basketball team.

1980: Advances to Sweet Sixteen

In 1980, Mike Woodson returned after recovering from back surgery to lead the Hoosiers to a conference win and Sweet Sixteen appearance.

1980: Drafted by the New York Knicks

In 1980, Mike Woodson was drafted by the New York Knicks as the 12th pick of the NBA draft, beginning his 11-season NBA career.

1980: Named Big Ten Player of the Year

In 1980, Woodson and Isiah Thomas led the Hoosiers to a conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen. Woodson was named the 1980 Big Ten Player of the Year, an NABC All-American, and awarded the Chicago Tribune Silver Basketball.

1981: Played for the New Jersey Nets

In 1981, Mike Woodson played seven games for the New Jersey Nets before being traded to the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings.

1982: Plays for the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings

From 1982, Mike Woodson played for the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings, alternating between starter and sixth man and averaging a career-high 18.2 points per game in 1982–83.

1983: Averages career-high 18.2 points per game

In 1983, Mike Woodson averaged a career-high 18.2 points per game for the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings.

1984: Isiah Thomas mentions Woodson's return from surgery as his biggest basketball thrill

In 1984, after winning the NBA All-Star MVP, Isiah Thomas mentioned Mike Woodson's return from back surgery and his performance against Iowa as his biggest basketball thrill.

1985: Continues to play for the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings

Until 1985, Mike Woodson played for the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings, where he continued to contribute as a valuable team member.

August 1986: Traded to Los Angeles Clippers and mother passes away

In August 1986, Mike Woodson was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. During the same month, his mother, Odessa Woodson, passed away.

1987: Plays for Los Angeles Clippers

In 1987, Mike Woodson continued to play for the Los Angeles Clippers, contributing to the team's performance.

1988: Knicks consecutive playoff berth

From 1988, the Knicks secured their first consecutive playoff berth since making 13 straight playoff appearances.

1988: Plays for Los Angeles Clippers

In 1988, Mike Woodson played another season with the Los Angeles Clippers, further developing his professional career.

1990: Plays for Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers

In 1990, Mike Woodson played for both the Houston Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking the later stages of his NBA career.

1991: Concludes NBA playing career

In 1991, Mike Woodson concluded his 11-season NBA playing career, having averaged 14.0 points over 786 games.

1993: Knicks Best Start

In 1993, the Knicks had their best start since the 1993–94 season.

1996: Becomes assistant coach with Milwaukee Bucks

In 1996, Mike Woodson began his coaching career as an assistant coach with Chris Ford's Milwaukee Bucks.

1998: Continues as assistant coach with Milwaukee Bucks

In 1998, Mike Woodson continued his role as assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, contributing to the team's coaching staff.

1999: Joins Cleveland Cavaliers as assistant coach

In 1999, Mike Woodson joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant coach, further developing his coaching career.

1999: Atlanta Hawks last made the playoffs

In 1999, the Atlanta Hawks made their last playoff appearance prior to Woodson's tenure.

2000: Continues as assistant coach with Cleveland Cavaliers

In 2000, Mike Woodson continued his role as assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, contributing to the team's coaching staff.

2000: Knicks highest winning percentage

In 2000, the Knicks had their highest winning percentage since the 2000–01 season.

2000: First Playoff Victory

Since 2000, the Knicks had their first Playoff victory.

2001: Hired in Philadelphia

From 2001-03, Larry Brown hired Woodson in Philadelphia.

2001: Continues as assistant coach with Cleveland Cavaliers

In 2001, Mike Woodson continued his role as assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, contributing to the team's coaching staff.

2001: Knicks consecutive playoff berth

Until 2001, the Knicks secured their first consecutive playoff berth since making 13 straight playoff appearances.

2002: Joins Philadelphia 76ers as assistant coach

In 2002, Mike Woodson became an assistant coach with Larry Brown's Philadelphia 76ers, enhancing his coaching experience.

2003: Hired in Detroit

From 2003-04, Larry Brown hired Woodson again in Detroit.

2003: Continues as assistant coach with Philadelphia 76ers

In 2003, Mike Woodson continued his role as assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers, contributing to the team's strategies.

2003: Joins the Detroit Pistons as an assistant coach

In 2003, Mike Woodson joined the Detroit Pistons as an assistant coach under Larry Brown, with whom he had previously worked as a player.

2004: Takes over as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks

In 2004, Mike Woodson became the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, succeeding Terry Stotts.

2005: First season as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks

In 2005, during his first season as head coach, Mike Woodson's Atlanta Hawks struggled with a 13-69 record.

2006: Hawks improve record

In 2006, Mike Woodson's Atlanta Hawks improved their record to 26-56, showing progress from the previous season.

2007: Hawks finish third in the Southeast Division

In 2007, Mike Woodson's Atlanta Hawks finished third in the Southeast Division with a 37-45 record.

2008: Hawks make the playoffs for the first time since 1999

In 2008, Mike Woodson's Atlanta Hawks made the playoffs for the first time since 1999, losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games.

2009: Leads Hawks to 47-35 record

In 2009, Mike Woodson led the Atlanta Hawks to a 47-35 record, marking a significant improvement from his initial seasons.

2009: Hawks defeat Miami Heat in the first round of playoffs

In 2009, the Atlanta Hawks, under Mike Woodson, went 47-35 and defeated the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs before losing to Cleveland in the conference semifinals.

May 17, 2010: Contract expires

On May 17, 2010, Rick Sund announced that the team would not re-sign Woodson, whose contract expired.

August 29, 2011: Hired as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks

On August 29, 2011, Mike Woodson was hired as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks under head coach Mike D'Antoni.

March 14, 2012: Named interim head coach of the New York Knicks

On March 14, 2012, Mike Woodson was named interim head coach of the New York Knicks after Mike D'Antoni's resignation.

May 25, 2012: Named full-time head coach of the New York Knicks

On May 25, 2012, the Knicks removed Mike Woodson's interim status and officially named him the full-time head coach.

2012: Coaches Knicks

In 2012, Mike Woodson coached the Knicks and the team had a successful regular season.

February 2013: Knicks placed second in the Eastern Conference

In mid-February 2013, by the All-Star break, the Knicks, under Mike Woodson, had a 32-18 record, placing them second in the Eastern Conference.

2013: Knicks struggled

In 2013, Woodson's Knicks struggled with a 3–13 start and the team never fully recovered.

2013: First appearance since 2013

In 2022, Woodson led the Hoosiers to the semifinals of the Big Ten men's basketball tournament, their first appearance since 2013

April 21, 2014: Fired from New York Knicks

On April 21, 2014, Mike Woodson was fired from his head coaching position with the New York Knicks, along with his entire coaching staff.

September 29, 2014: Hired as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers

On September 29, 2014, Mike Woodson was hired as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers under Doc Rivers.

2015: Back-to-back tournament appearances since the 2015

In Woodson's second season, Indiana again qualified for the NCAA tournament, marking the first back-to-back tournament appearances for Indiana since the 2015 and 2016 tournaments.

2016: First NCAA tournament appearance since 2016

In 2022, Woodson led the Hoosiers to the NCAA tournament, marking their first appearance since 2016

May 15, 2018: Resigns from the Los Angeles Clippers

On May 15, 2018, Mike Woodson announced his resignation from his position as assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers.

September 4, 2020: Hired as assistant coach for the New York Knicks

On September 4, 2020, Mike Woodson was hired as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks under head coach Tom Thibodeau, before leaving to coach the Indiana Hoosiers.

March 28, 2021: Hired as Head Coach of Indiana Hoosiers

On March 28, 2021, Mike Woodson was hired as the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team with a six-year contract worth roughly $3 million per year. The contract included a base salary of $550,000 and $2.45 million in outside, marketing, and promotional income, plus bonuses for high Big Ten standings and APR scores.

2021: First year as head coach

In 2021, Woodson's first year as head coach, the team achieved a 21-14 record.

2022: 2022-23 season

During the 2022–23 season, Woodson's Hoosiers finished 23–12 overall, despite missing starting point guard Xavier Johnson for most of the season.

2022: Hoosiers advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 Big Ten men's basketball tournament

In 2022, Woodson led the Hoosiers to the semifinals of the Big Ten men's basketball tournament, their first appearance since 2013, and qualified for the NCAA tournament.