Indiana basketball: Dane Fife let go as Hoosiers assistant coach after 1 season

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson announced Wednesday that assistant coach Dane Fife will not return for the 2022-2023 season.

Fife, an ex-player for the Hoosiers, held the position of assistant coach for only one season. He previously spent two seasons as an administrative assistant for then-coach Mike Davis.

Woodson released the following statement Wednesday:

“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 a statement. “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 [a] player for our program. He will always be a part of the Hoosier family and I wish him well in his future pursuits.”

During Fife's first season, the Hoosiers went 21-14 overall, which is the most wins for the program since 2016. IU also earned its first NCAA Tournament invitation since 2016 and appeared in the semifinals in the Big Ten Tournament.

Fife said he was grateful to those who made it possible for him to have served in the role.

"I love IU with every part of my soul" ... Fife wrote in a Tweet. "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!"