Woodson Opens Up After Announcing His Departure from IU Coaching Role

It's the beginning of the end of an era as Mike Woodson announced that this will be his final season as head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team.

Following a three-point loss to No. 24 Michigan, Woodson spoke to media for the first time about his decision to step away at the end of the season, but focused on the game and the state of the team rather than addressing the announcement directly.

"It's been emotional," Woodson said about how the team is handling the last few weeks. "We're dealing with young men, young kids, man, that are trying to figure it out. But we've still got seven more games to play, and it's my job as their coach to try and push them and realize they can still win basketball games."

Woodson admitted that he "wished he knew" how a roster filled with talent isn't producing the wins the Hoosiers were hoping for.

"We haven't been the same team for a while. For whatever reasons, we've dug a hole," Woodson said. "I've done a terrible job of putting them in the best position possible to win, I think. But emotionally, these kids have taken a beating a little bit. It's my job to try to lift their spirits and keep them heading in the right direction, because there's still a lot of basketball left."

Woodson led the Hoosiers to the NCAA Tournament in his first two years in Bloomington, but the last two have been an rollercoaster – missing the Big Dance altogether last season and heading towards another early-season end this season.

"As the coach, your roster's changing every year. That's no excuse," Woodson said. "You think you're putting the right pieces in play. I think our guys have got wonderful intentions, man, and they do want to win, but it just hasn't worked out that way the last 3-4 weeks."

The Hoosiers will be back on the floor against No. 9 Michigan State on Tuesday.