Mike Woodson takes over at Indiana University

Mike Woodson is taking over as the new men’s basketball coach at his alma mater, Indiana University.

Indiana University athletics director Scott Dolson announced the news on Sunday.

Woodson, who is leaving his current job as a New York Knicks assistant, will take part in an introductory news conference on Monday.

The 63-year-old Woodson is set to receive a six-year contract, according to published reports.

The Hoosiers fired coach Archie Miller earlier this month. Miller led the program for four seasons, and Indiana went 12-15 in his final season in charge.

A successful career as a player

Before launching his NBA career, Mike Woodson starred for Indiana from 1976-80. He was the 1980 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year.

Indiana was a great fit for Woodson, playing for legendary Hoosier coach Bob Knight.

“I wanted to go somewhere where I could play … and my family didn’t have to travel far to see me. So it was perfect,” Woodson told The New York Post in 2012. “And I thought I was playing for the best coach in the country at that time.”

A first-round pick in 1980 (No. 12 overall; New York Knicks), Woodson spent 11 seasons in the NBA as a player. He averaged 14.0 points per game in his NBA career. The Indianapolis native also suited up for the Nets, Clippers, Rockets and Cavaliers before retiring in 1991.

Mike Woodson’s NBA coaching career

After working as an NBA assistant coach for four teams (1996-2004), Mike Woodson landed his first NBA head coaching gig in 2004 with the Atlanta Hawks. He coached the club from 2004-10. With the Hawks, he had one 50-win campaign, 53-29 in 2009-10.

He took over as Knicks coach late in the 2011-12 season, leading them to an 18-6 record to close out the season. The Knicks were bounced from the playoffs in the first round. They went 54-28 the next season and reached the conference semifinals. Woodson was fired after the Knicks (37-45) failed to make the playoffs in the 2013-14 season.

As an NBA head coach, Woodson has a 315-365 overall regular-season record.

Woodson won an NBA championship ring as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons in 2004,

With Mike Woodson at the helm, Indiana University charts new course

In a statement issued by the university, Hoosiers athletics director Scott Dolson discussed the decision to hire Woodson.

“This is a great day and a great fit for Indiana basketball,” Dolson declared. “Throughout this process, I was looking for someone I could partner with to return Indiana basketball to a level of success that Hoosier fans have come to know and expect, and Mike is that person.

“During the last two weeks, I have spoken with numerous individuals at the college and NBA levels, and they were unanimous in their support of and respect for Mike. From his ability in terms of X’s and O’s to his skills at building relationships and developing players, his reputation is outstanding.”

Dolson added: “As a coach, he’s succeeded at the highest levels of the NBA, and he’s mentored some of the game’s all-time great players. … But more important than what he did as a former Hoosier player, he’s someone who shares my vision for what Indiana basketball is about…”