Indiana Assistant Coach Dane Fife Let Go By Mike Woodson After 1 Season

It looks like two former Indiana basketball favorites couldn't co-exist as coaches. First-year head coach Mike Woodson chose not to retain assistant Dane Fife after just one season. Fife left Michigan State after 10 seasons to return to his alma mater.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — On the 20-year anniversary of Dane Fife's best day as an Indiana player, he was sent packing by Indiana coach Mike Woodson after just one season as his assistant coach.

Fife, who joined Woodson's staff last spring after spending 10 years as an assistant to Tom Izzo at Michigan State, was dismissed in a move that Woodson described as not being ''the right fit.''

The news was announced by the school on Wednesday afternoon.

“I am committed to doing what I believe is best for the continued growth of our men’s basketball program as we collectively work toward returning it to the upper echelon of college basketball,” Woodson said in the release from the school.. “Sometimes, that commitment can result in some very difficult decisions, and that is the case today.

"Ultimately, I believe that the fit must be right with a coaching staff, and I’ve decided that a change is necessary. I appreciate everything Dane has done as a member of the staff during the last year and as player for our program. He will always be a part of the Hoosier family and I wish him well in his future pursuits.”

Dane Fife (left) was let go after one season as an assistant coach to Mike Woodson. The news was released by the school on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports)

Woodson was hired last March, replacing Archie Miller after four sub-par years. His hiring was heralded as a sign that Indiana was returning to its roots because Woodson was an Indiana basketball legend for Bob Knight from 1976 to 1980.

Woodson kept assistant coach Kenya Hunter from Miller's staff, and then hired away Fife from Michigan State. That moved was praised  as well, with another former Indiana favorite returning to the fold. 

Fife, a Clarkston, Mich., native, played at Indiana from 1998 to 2002 and was a key piece of the 2002 team that made a run all the way to the NCAA championship game, where they lost to Maryland. He was Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and hit five three-pointers 20 years ago to the day when Indiana set a record for three-pointers while beating Kent State to advance to the Final Four.  Indiana hasn't played in a Final Four since.

Fife commented on Twitter on Thursday night. "I love IU with every part of my soul and grateful to those that gave me this opportunity. Most importantly, I'm honored to have worked with the players on our team. They dug deep, never gave in and will forever be remembered for their accomplishments.

"I became an Indiana Hoosier 25 years ago. I'm a Hoosier today ... And I'll be a Hoosier tomorrow. Go IU!''

pic.twitter.com/4GG6BIlMXX

— Dane Fife (@CoachDaneFife) March 23, 2022

Here is the complete news release from the school:

WOODSON ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR COACHING STAFF CHANGE IN 2022-23

Bloomington, Indiana – Indiana University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Woodson announced his plans today for a change with his coaching staff for 2022-23, as Dane Fife will not return to the IU staff next season.

“I am committed to doing what I believe is best for the continued growth of our men’s basketball program as we collectively work toward returning it to the upper echelon of college basketball,” said Woodson. “Sometimes, that commitment can result in some very difficult decisions, and that is the case today. 

"Ultimately, I believe that the fit must be right with a coaching staff, and I’ve decided that a change is necessary. I appreciate everything Dane has done as a member of the staff during the last year and as player for our program. He will always be a part of the Hoosier family and I wish him well in his future pursuits.”

Indiana heads into the off-season with plenty of momentum following Woodson’s debut season on the IU sidelines. The Hoosiers went 21-14 overall, the most wins for the program since 2016. IU also earned its first NCAA Tournament invitation since 2016, and its semifinal appearance in the Big Ten Tournament was IU’s best effort in the event since 2013.

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