Early February carried a thick air for Indiana Hoosiers. After four years, Mike Woodson’s time with the program was announced to be nearing an end. While the news itself was inevitable, given the team’s derailed performance of late, a self-initiated retirement did not seem to be in many’s books. So when an Indy reporter ran an in-depth story, fans were left with questions.

On Sunday, IU athletic writer, Zach Osterman alongside Michael Niziolek reported on what’s next for the Indiana Hoosiers basketball. “How Mike Woodson announcement came about,” seemed like one aspect that caught readers’ eyes. Osterman reports that it was Woodson who first approached Scott Dolson, the athletic director, to discuss his departure following the 12-point loss to Wisconsin.

That had marked the Hoosiers’ 4th consecutive loss and 7th in the conference. They were pushing the bubble team prediction to eventually land in Next Four Out. Now that’s a tough position to be in, on track to miss the second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.

Moreover, with 8 losses in their last 10 games and on a 4-home-game losing streak, KenPom analyses Hoosiers to be playing worse in February than they were earlier in the season.

It has very well been an indication of Woodson’s uneven tenure at Indiana, only natural to tip off the management. Yet, it did not come from them. Dolson had also earlier revealed the decision was made by the head coach himself. Intriguingly though, the former Hoosier star hasn’t released a statement himself.

Locked on Hoosiers podcast host Jacob Goins had questioned the situation asking why wasn’t the program letting the head coach go a little sooner if the season wasn’t going as expected. “Maybe Indiana is trying to take care of Mike Woodson, and maybe Mike Woodson is trying to take care of Indiana. Maybe they don’t want to put the ‘fired’ label on it,” he concluded. A part of the question extends among fans who are likely aware of the clause in Woodson’s contract as well as his disappointing tenure.

Fans back up Indiana Hoosier head coach, Mike Woodson

After the senior night last year, Woodson had shared, “I’m the head coach, and I’m not going anywhere.” Now about a year in, the statement doesn’t hold true any longer. “Hard to believe he’s stepping down voluntarily,” thus added a user.

Woodson has had his successes with the Hoosiers, but the pattern is hard to ignore.

Even during the head coach’s best season, when the Hoosiers had two NBA talents in Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino, the team still slid from 12th to 30th. Fast forward to now—as the team sits ninth in the conference with a 6-9 record—it’s no surprise that speculation has been swirling for weeks. But firing would have seemed like the first option.

“Zach, you truly believe Woodson went to Dolson first? I’m not asking if that’s what you were told—I’m asking if that’s what you believe?” added another user.

Mike Woodson’s contract carries a clause that obliges Indiana to pay him $8 million if he were to be fired. The coach would also receive 100% of his remaining guaranteed income through April 1, 2026. Him retiring seems to thus be better sounding to both parties as Goins noted. But fans aren’t convinced on Woodson’s initiation.

“I don’t really believe that Woodson approached the subject of stepping down on his own. It was apparent when he had no quotes in the press releases,” wrote one.

When the news came out on February 7th, it was Scott Dolson and only him who had revealed the decision came from the coach. He’d conclude saying, “At an appropriate time, Coach Woodson will articulate his feelings about his decision and his experiences.” Woodson’s silence has left fans grappling for answers.

“Please stop with the Woodson propaganda! He would never step away on his own, and the proof is that he’s still on the sideline. Enough with the dishonesty,” reads a comment.

Woodson has put in considerable efforts during his tenure at Indiana. He would lead the team to wins against Purdue and attract elite talent through transfer portals. He’d also lead his alma mater to NCAA tournament twice during the period. UCLA head coach Mick Cronin had only good words for him. “He’s left his mark,” Cornin says. So there’s obvious love for Woodson and it was evident as fans dismissed the reports.

“This is Fake News!” another straight declared.

At 66, Woodman will have quite the challenges to take on, including the NIL and recruitments. When he saw his team trying to get to the winning ways only to fail, he reportedly believes his stepping down might be the answer. The coach hasn’t released an official statement yet, but the report by Zach Osterman suggests he is content to be stepping down. A word from him could only put the speculations to rest.