“The [Chicago Bulls] job will be Fred Hoiberg’s if he wants it"

[OnceAhawk]

(CBS) With the Bulls being eliminated by the Cavaliers on Thursday night in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, all attention now turns to the future of Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau, who has a well-documented contentious relationship with the front office.

It’s simply a matter of when, not if, Thibodeau and the Bulls part ways, according to numerous reports. And after that time comes, Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg will be the top candidate with no other competition, Yahoo Sports NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski said Friday in an interview with the Spiegel and Goff Show.

“The job will be Fred Hoiberg’s if he wants it,” Wojnarowski said. “There’s not going to be any competition for him. Now, it’s conceivable that Fred Hoiberg decides to stay at Iowa State, but if they make a change and Tom Thibodeau is out, Fred Hoiberg is really the only candidate for this job from the Bulls perspective. But that doesn’t guarantee that he’s going to do it. I know he’s already had to give it thought because it’s real.

“He knows what’s coming. Everybody does.”

Hoiberg and Bulls general manager Gar Forman have a close relationship. Forman was an assistant coach when Hoiberg played at Iowa State in the mid-1990s.

“They have history, and they have a relationship,” Wojnarowski said. “They have a trust there, and I think that’s what they’re looking for here, from the Bulls’ perspective.”

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/05...re-fred-hoiberg-is-really-the-only-candidate/

 

[wondergrape]

This is from eleven days ago. Hot take!

 

[hooper56]

According to Andy Katz, the indications are that Hoiberg will be offered by the Bulls and Katz assumes he will take it. Not exactly a money in the bank type of deal but nothing has happened to put the kabosh to it either.

 

[goodbyebobby]

I'll be stunned if he leaves before his kids are out of HS.

Why would he? Yes, we all chastise Ames, and rightfully so, but he's from there. His entire existence is there and his nickname is the Mayor?

Don't see it happening which mean he'll probably be introduced the day after the NBA finals end....

 

[hooper56]

I'll be stunned if he leaves before his kids are out of HS.

Why would he? Yes, we all chastise Ames, and rightfully so, but he's from there. His entire existence is there and his nickname is the Mayor?

Don't see it happening which mean he'll probably be introduced the day after the NBA finals end....

Well the latest rumor I have heard is that Fred would continue to maintain a home in Ames and would have an apartment/condo in Chicago, provided by the team. He could fly back and forth as needed. Very short flight.

 

[SSG T]

Keep in mind, when talking about uprooting his kids, his oldest two were in what, 5th and 7th grades when they moved to Ames?

If he wasn't worried then, why would he be now? I could maybe see it if they had grown up in Ames and that's all they new, but that's not the case.

 

[DodgerHawki]

I'll be stunned if he leaves before his kids are out of HS.

Why would he? Yes, we all chastise Ames, and rightfully so, but he's from there. His entire existence is there and his nickname is the Mayor?

Don't see it happening which mean he'll probably be introduced the day after the NBA finals end....

I have no insight as to what he wants to do. But the reason he would leave is that NBA jobs don't just open up all the time, particularly ones where the existing roster is decent to pretty good. The Bulls aren't the Sixers. If Hoiberg has an aspiration to coach in the NBA, the Bulls job is pretty attractive. The assistant GM is a former teammate of Hoiberg (I think) and the level of familiarity isn't always there with NBA jobs.

Hoiberg would hardly be vilified if he left Ames. He has firmly put the Cyclones back on the map. And he's young enough he could certainly come back to ISU after a run in the NBA.

 

[JEDN]

I have no insight as to what he wants to do. But the reason he would leave is that NBA jobs don't just open up all the time, particularly ones where the existing roster is decent to pretty good. The Bulls aren't the Sixers. If Hoiberg has an aspiration to coach in the NBA, the Bulls job is pretty attractive. The assistant GM is a former teammate of Hoiberg (I think) and the level of familiarity isn't always there with NBA jobs.

Hoiberg would hardly be vilified if he left Ames. He has firmly put the Cyclones back on the map. And he's young enough he could certainly come back to ISU after a run in the NBA.

 

[JEDN]

No insight or inside info but if it were me I would think twice before leaving the horses he has returning!

 

[Myvue]

I have no insight as to what he wants to do. But the reason he would leave is that NBA jobs don't just open up all the time, particularly ones where the existing roster is decent to pretty good. The Bulls aren't the Sixers. If Hoiberg has an aspiration to coach in the NBA, the Bulls job is pretty attractive. The assistant GM is a former teammate of Hoiberg (I think) and the level of familiarity isn't always there with NBA jobs.

Hoiberg would hardly be vilified if he left Ames. He has firmly put the Cyclones back on the map. And he's young enough he could certainly come back to ISU after a run in the NBA.

Gar Forman was named the GM of the Bulls in 2009. He was an assistant coach for Johnny Orr back when Fred played for ISU.

http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/gar_forman.html

 

[icu81222]

I'll be stunned if he leaves before his kids are out of HS.

At first glance, I agreed with you. It would be hard to leave the family and not see the kids during their HS years. However, he will double his salary (I am guessing) and with his health always being a concern, he could retire much earlier while more easily setting his family up for generations to come financially.

Sure, money is not always looked at as a good reason to make decisions but IMO it makes all the difference when talking about a young guy like that with a young family. Coach 5-10 more years and hang it up. The NBA gig will set him up for TV or even management deals with much less stress. harder to slide into if he remained at ISU without ever going back to the NBA

 

[relishingwinning18]

At first glance, I agreed with you. It would be hard to leave the family and not see the kids during their HS years. However, he will double his salary (I am guessing) and with his health always being a concern, he could retire much earlier while more easily setting his family up for generations to come financially.

Sure, money is not always looked at as a good reason to make decisions but IMO it makes all the difference when talking about a young guy like that with a young family. Coach 5-10 more years and hang it up. The NBA gig will set him up for TV or even management deals with much less stress. harder to slide into if he remained at ISU without ever going back to the NBA

On top of that, the number of days you are out recruiting as a college basketball coach, far exceeds the number of days you're on the road playing games in the NBA.

 

[trippnschmidt]

Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but what about the Timberwolves? 3 hour drive from Ames, the #1 pick and a ton of young talent, plus he knows the organization quite well. Hell, they're younger than the players he's been coaching at Ames.

 

[OnceAhawk]

From the Chicago Tribune:

The Bulls fired coach Tom Thibodeau on Thursday despite two years and roughly $9 million remaining on his deal, with general manager Gar Forman citing a need for "a culture of communication that builds a trust throughout this organization."

“You have to have a situation where you are all pulling in the same direction,” Paxson said. “Once that stops, it’s very difficult to move forward.”

“Relationships are difficult,” Paxson said. “But there has to be a situation with open dialogue, where there are no barriers. You should be able to ask any question, push the envelope. That’s what relationships should be about. Obviously there was a breakdown.”

Several sources believe the search essentially already has ended, and that Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg will get the job.

The whole story: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...om-thibodeau-fired-20150528-story.html#page=2

 

[OnceAhawk]

All signs point to Ames, Iowa and Fred Hoiberg as the new Bulls coach
Posted: 05/28/2015, 06:37pm | Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times
http://chicago.suntimes.com/author/jcowley/
Give the Bulls credit: They at least tried to keep the worst-kept secret across the NBA alive and well.

With Tom Thibodeau fired as coach after five seasons on Thursday, both general manager Gar Forman and VP of basketball operations John Paxson wasted very little time describing the characteristics of the next coach they will be looking to hire.

“I just don’t think we’re going to put ourselves in a box,’’ Forman said.



Numerous reports, however, have the Bulls at least knowing the location of that box, and it resides in Ames, Iowa, with Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg.

The Bulls have been linked with Hoiberg since last season, and that talk only grew as this season went on, and the relationship between Thibodeau and the front office worsened.

There have been several leaks out of Iowa State that the Cyclones athletic department was already preparing for Hoiberg’s departure, and then early on Thursday there was a report in the Ames Tribune that Hoiberg told five-star recruit Cheick Diallo, who chose to play at Kansas, that the coach couldn’t commit to his own future at Iowa State.



Then there’s also the Hoiberg contract, which he signed in 2013, and was very NBA friendly. The $10-year, $20-million deal has a $2 million buyout if Hoiberg leaves for another college coaching position, but only $500,000 if he leaves for an NBA team.

Hoiberg played for the Bulls for four seasons, had a front office job with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and was the Iowa State coach since the 2010-11 season, where he has made the Cyclones a nationally ranked program in making the NCAA Tournament four-straight seasons.

While the Bulls would still be on the hook for $9 million over the next two years with Thibodeau, there was an off-set in his contract that if he was hired by another NBA team, the Bulls would only owe the difference in the money.

Thibodeau could sit out this next season and wait for a better opportunity to open up for the 2016 season, but the 2011 Coach of the Year likely won’t be unemployed very long.

As far as how quickly the Bulls will act, Forman didn’t put a timetable on it, but indicated that the search started Thursday evening.

“We’ve got certain criteria that we’re going to be looking for in the next coach,’’ Forman said. “But we’re not going to put ourselves in a box – ‘had to be a head coach, had to be an assistant coach, what level they’ve coached on’ – we’re really going to look for the right fit.

“And I went through some of those things that I’ve talked about. Obviously someone that can lead, but we’ve got to get somebody that can communicate at a high level, that’s got great knowledge of the game, obviously experience is a plus, as far as coaching is concerned. If they’ve been a head coach even more so, but we’re not going to limit our search in any way.’’


The story: http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketb...-point-ames-iowa-fred-hoiberg-new-bulls-coach

 

[OnceAhawk]

From the Ames Tribune:

Posted May 28, 2015 - 12:28pmUpdated May 28, 2015 - 4:54pm
La Gesse Column: The Hoiberg Watch shouldn’t last too long

The possibility of the Bulls job was hanging over Ames for weeks. The Bulls season ended on May 14. The firing came two weeks later. That gave Hoiberg plenty of time to think about the job.

It’s very likely a position he’ll take. It’s been reported that Hoiberg is the only candidate the Bulls are seriously considering. Ames Tribune staff writer Travis Hines reported that Hoiberg told 2015 recruit Cheick Diallo he couldn’t confirm that he’d return to coach the Cyclones in 2015-16, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. Hoiberg has told other recruits similar sentiments in the past, but those comments didn’t come a few months before an attractive NBA job that Hoiberg was linked to opening up.


It’s by no means an easy choice. Ames is where Hoiberg grew up. ISU is where he played his college basketball. It’s where he’s turned the Cyclones into a potential top 10 team for next season.


But he’s always been an NBA guy. He spent more time in the league as a player or front office executive than he spent as a player or a coach at ISU. He views the NBA as the pinnacle of the coaching profession.


Hoiberg to the NBA has always seemed like an inevitability, always a matter of when, not if. He’s turned down numerous NBA jobs in the past. He’s not leaving for any job, but even ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard seems resigned to the fact that Hoiberg will one day be coaching in the pros.


“(Hoiberg) has always said from day one that his lifelong goal has been to coach in the NBA,” said Pollard in mid-May. “It’s for him to decide when that part of his life he wants to activate.


“Now it’s just strictly a decision for him and their family personally, not what he wants to do because he’s made that clear. (The NBA is) what he wants to do. It’s a matter of when he wants to do it.”


Chicago general manager Gar Foreman tried putting on a convincing argument that the Bulls were just starting their coaching search on Thursday and that it would continue through the weekend. He said in a press conference the process could last one day or two months. I imagine it will probably be hard for the Las Vegas sportsbooks to find anyone willing to bet the over on the one month mark, let alone two months.


“So there’s probably an informal list in our heads,” Foreman said. “But we haven’t sat down yet and decided who exactly we’ll talk to.”


There is no suspense. Hoiberg is the headliner. It’s hard to imagine the Bulls letting Thibodeau go without a plan for the next coach in place. It’s just common sense. Thibodeau is a good coach, widely considered one of the best defensive minds in the NBA.


The roster is attractive, with Derrick Rose, burgeoning star Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah. The Bulls play in the Eastern Conference. They avoid the gauntlet that is the Western Conference. That’s a plus. The job isn’t the slam dunk it seemed to be a few years ago between injuries to Rose and a frontcourt that is getting older. Still, it’s one coaches will likely covet.


The Bulls know what they want to do. So should Hoiberg. The Hoiberg Watch is on. It shouldn’t take too long to play out.


- See more at: http://amestrib.com/sports/la-gesse-column-hoiberg-watch-shouldn-t-last-too-long

 

[goodbyebobby]

I never knew Fred was so enamored with the league and retract all previous statements.

Good for him. I'm sure he will be a heck of a coach anywhere he goes.

 

[Jan Itor]

I never knew Fred was so enamored with the league and retract all previous statements.

Good for him. I'm sure he will be a heck of a coach anywhere he goes.

I'm wondering if he does move on to the NBA, will there be a mass exodus of players from ISU?

 

[hooper56]

I'm wondering if he does move on to the NBA, will there be a mass exodus of players from ISU?

That's a real good question. ISU next year, whoever is the head coach will be really good provided they keep all their players. But you have to wonder if many of them would leave rather than adapt to some new system. It happens everywhere almost every time there is a coaching change.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

I would hope he has done some talking with the current roster and the GM before he decides to go. I don't think you can even factor Rose in it since he's like a piece of fine china, but there are pieces in that puzzle where if they leave or aren't happy make it seem like you just took over a rather mediocre team.

 

[DodgerHawki]

That's a real good question. ISU next year, whoever is the head coach will be really good provided they keep all their players. But you have to wonder if many of them would leave rather than adapt to some new system. It happens everywhere almost every time there is a coaching change.

CBS Sports published a story saying that TJ Otzelberger, one of the current assistants, is the likely successor to Hoiberg. If so, I would imagine they don't lose anyone of consequence. Otzelberger recruited many of the players and all of them are familiar with him.

In the short-term, ISU will be very good next year if all the players return. They have good upperclassmen leaders in Niang and Morris. Long-term who knows what will occur.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Oltezenberger next year would be fine. A monkey could coach next year's team to a good season. The issue is what does Iowa State do after next year. If youre Iowa State, what has TJ done to be the HC in the Big 12? He couldnt even get a HC job at a mid major school and now takes the reigns at Iowa State?? If Hoiberg leaves, you open this up and find the best coach you can and sign him to a multiple year deal instead of going the interim route and basically lose an entire year of recruiting.

 

[hooper56]

Whoever comes in next year will have the same sort of team Dr Tom inherited at Iowa. (Assuming no mass defections) That first team with Rav's players was his very best. Elite 8 if I recall correctly.

 

[dekhawk]

I think Fred stays in Ames. No restrictions on recruits , good $ ,easy life. He stays. Hailed the conquering hero. They may do well next year but has he accomplished that much to be a sure fire NBA coach? Won a couple big 12 tourneys. 1 sweet 16 . No Conferance titles Hell Alford came close to that.

 

[Jan Itor]

CBS Sports published a story saying that TJ Otzelberger, one of the current assistants, is the likely successor to Hoiberg. If so, I would imagine they don't lose anyone of consequence. Otzelberger recruited many of the players and all of them are familiar with him.

In the short-term, ISU will be very good next year if all the players return. They have good upperclassmen leaders in Niang and Morris. Long-term who knows what will occur.

Any chance Otzelberger goes with Fred to the Bulls? And I thought Otzelberger was gone for a few years and just came back this past season. The poster before said TJ recruited all the players. How can that be if he was gone?

 

[DanL53]

Any chance Otzelberger goes with Fred to the Bulls? And I thought Otzelberger was gone for a few years and just came back this past season. The poster before said TJ recruited all the players. How can that be if he was gone?

Otzelberger was only gone for a couple of years. He has had Head Coaching aspirations and Jay Bilas and some other talking head at the end of the 2014 season at Washington called him something like a "hot Head Coach candidate". When he was hired back to Ames this past April, I wonder if there was already an understanding?

I'm ready to offer up looking stupid if I'm wrong, but I am convinced that Hoiberg is gone and Otzleberger is the next Iowa State coach. And I think it has been settled for quite some time.

 

[hooper56]

Otzelberger was only gone for a couple of years. He has had Head Coaching aspirations and Jay Bilas and some other talking head at the end of the 2014 season at Washington called him something like a "hot Head Coach candidate". When he was hired back to Ames this past April, I wonder if there was already an understanding?

I'm ready to offer up looking stupid if I'm wrong, but I am convinced that Hoiberg is gone and Otzleberger is the next Iowa State coach. And I think it has been settled for quite some time.

Do you think they will pay him 2 million per season for ten years? (I would suspect less than half that) Isn't Hoyburger's buyout 500k? They may almost be able to pay TJ just on Freddie's buyout. Financialy a pretty good deal for the cyclones.

 

[DanL53]

Do you think they will pay him 2 million per season for ten years? (I would suspect less than half that) Isn't Hoyburger's buyout 500k? They may almost be able to pay TJ just on Freddie's buyout. Financialy a pretty good deal for the cyclones.

I had been thinking that the word "Interim" might be used. But the more I think about it, why? It would hurt recruiting and Otzelberger is going to look good with the talent he has right now. Maybe he could just take over Hoiberg's contract, minus the $500,000 buy out, and Iowa State comes out even?

I did see a comment somewhere that Iowa State will go through a "search" first. But to me it makes sense just to get it over with and hire T.J.

 

[Jan Itor]

CBS Sports published a story saying that TJ Otzelberger, one of the current assistants, is the likely successor to Hoiberg. If so, I would imagine they don't lose anyone of consequence. Otzelberger recruited many of the players and all of them are familiar with him.

In the short-term, ISU will be very good next year if all the players return. They have good upperclassmen leaders in Niang and Morris. Long-term who knows what will occur.

TJ may have recruited many of them, but I have to think some of them (including the transfers) were looking at ISU because of Fred and his ties to the NBA (player and Front office). With him all but gone, you still have to wonder if some of them, whether TJ recruited them or not, may bolt with the man with the NBA ties gone.

 

[relishingwinning18]

Otzelberger was only gone for a couple of years. He has had Head Coaching aspirations and Jay Bilas and some other talking head at the end of the 2014 season at Washington called him something like a "hot Head Coach candidate". When he was hired back to Ames this past April, I wonder if there was already an understanding?

I'm ready to offer up looking stupid if I'm wrong, but I am convinced that Hoiberg is gone and Otzleberger is the next Iowa State coach. And I think it has been settled for quite some time.

I said this weeks ago, although I thought TJ was brought in to take over for hoiberg because of health.

 

[OnceAhawk]

Looks like he wants it.

at ISU, he would earn $20M over 10 years; in HALF the time (5 years), he will earn $5M MORE ($25 M)

So much for ISU fans thinking he won't leave for the NBA because "ISU is his dream job...." LOL

Fred will be named Chicago Bulls head coach on Tues, June 2.

 

[DanL53]

I said this weeks ago, although I thought TJ was brought in to take over for hoiberg because of health.

Yes, you did. I think it must have been your post that caused me to do what I could to check into the Hoiberg to Bulls rumor when I first heard it...and for a change I was actually one of those guys who heard from a couple guys...

From May 15th on another site:

"..........I don't know if some of the stuff I've spoken to a couple guys about who claim to know things and usually do is coming from where I first heard it (Rivals) or from independent insiders saying the same thing. If it's the latter, I think it's a done deal.

Specifically what I've heard. Hoiberg's end is wrapped up. Thib's is not. A two year contract left to be discussed and a bit of a stare down as some other teams are interested in him. Does he quit of get canned? This could all be wrong of course, but the weird thing is I don't even follow the NBA but occasionally I have better "inside" info about the Bulls than I do the Hawkeyes."

I didn't post that on this site as I've seen folks who claim to have heard something get blasted sky high for daring to try to share. Usually the info turns out wrong, but on occasion those posters turn out to be right...yet for some STRANGE REASON they don't share info anymore!

Anyway, it's been fun watching what these guys told me turn out to apparently have been true. And just as sad really that one of the few times somebody bothered to include me in "inside info" it gets quite deservedly called the "Worst kept secret in basketball". #$%!!!!!