Mike Woodson is reportedly in line to return to the NBA sidelines as a top assistant under newly appointed Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Anthony Slater, Woodson is being considered for the lead assistant position following the team’s decision not to retain Jay Triano.
Triano, who previously served as the Kings’ top assistant under Mike Brown, is among several assistants who will not return, including Jawad Williams, Riccardo Fois, Robbie Lemons and Sam Logwood. Leandro Barbosa is currently the only confirmed assistant staying on board as part of Christie’s revamped bench.
Woodson last coached in the NBA in 2021 before taking over at Indiana University, where he recently completed his fourth and final season.
Woodson, 67, last served as head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, compiling an 82–53 record over four seasons before stepping down at the end of the 2024–25 campaign.
He helped lead Indiana to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances in 2022 and 2023, a feat the program had not achieved since the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Under Woodson’s guidance, the Hoosiers earned a reputation for efficient offense and tough defensive execution, ranking near the top of the Big Ten in field goal percentage and field goal defense during his tenure.
Indiana also developed two future NBA talents in Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino, both of whom credited Woodson’s system for preparing them for the next level.
Before his college stint, Woodson had multiple head coaching roles in the NBA, most notably with the Atlanta Hawks (2004–2010) and New York Knicks (2012–2014), where he posted a career record of 315–365.
He served as an assistant for several teams including the Los Angeles Clippers, where he last coached in the NBA during the 2020–21 season.
The Kings, who finished ninth in the Western Conference at 40–42, are undergoing a leadership shift after firing Mike Brown and promoting Christie to head coach on May 1.
Christie emphasized culture, identity, and accountability during his introductory press conference, stating the team was entering a phase of “unfinished business.”
