Hoosier Heartbreak: Is Leadership the Missing Piece?

Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash

As a fan of Indiana University basketball, I am increasingly frustrated with the team’s erratic performance. In one game, they show flashes of brilliance — executing plays with precision, demonstrating grit, and displaying teamwork that reminds us of the Hoosiers’ storied history. Then, almost inexplicably, they falter in the next game, or even the next half, playing with a lack of focus, drive, and intention. How can a team swing so wildly between inspired and lackluster performances?

Let me be clear: I am not a sports journalist, analyst, former athlete, or coach. I don’t claim to possess insider knowledge or expertise in basketball strategy. However, I’ve managed people, led teams, and run my business. From that perspective, I see something in the dynamics of this team that raises questions no one seems to be asking outright. Could it be that the players do not want to play for Coach Woodson?

Coach Woodson has publicly acknowledged the team’s lack of consistency and focus. He has said he is working to determine the root of the issue. But perhaps the answer lies closer to home. Of course, no coach would admit that players don’t support him. Still, how else can we explain a team that can dominate one half only to unravel in the next? Their inconsistency sends a message: “We don’t like or care to support our coach.”