ADVERTISEMENT

OT: ISU Coaching search

hooper56

hooper56

HB Legend
Gold Member
Oct 1, 2001
30,200
13,035
113
Right off the bat I want to say that I don't necessarily believe this but I talked to someone who I would consider an ISU insider today. He told me that it is not a slam dunk that the cyclones promote this TJ Otzenburger guy. In fact, believe it or not, he said they have had conversations with Larry eustachy. Larry is a heckuva coach who you will remember had an alcohol problem. He apparently is off the booze now and has switched to Diet Coke. He did a great job at ISU until he had his issues. If he is clean and sober now, is there any chance ISU would bring him back? I would think no but this guy assures me it is a very real possibility. He said Floyd will NOT get a look however. Thoughts?
 
One year ago Jay Bilas and Jeff Goodman were both calling Otzelberger one of the top candidates for a Head Coaching job. In April, Hoiberg hires him back to Iowa State where he had been an Associate Head Coach.

My money is flatly on Hoiberg knowing in April that he was going to be the Bulls coach and T.J. is his handpicked successor. I would not be surprised at all to here a glowing recommendation from Hoiberg, after which best wishes and good luck to anyone at Iowa State (Pollard) that goes another direction, they'd better be willing to bet their job on it.

The only other possibility I can imagine is Otzelberger follows Hoiberg to Chicago, and that I highly doubt.
 
Last edited:
hooper56 said:
Right off the bat I want to say that I don't necessarily believe this but I talked to someone who I would consider an ISU insider today. He told me that it is not a slam dunk that the cyclones promote this TJ Otzenburger guy. In fact, believe it or not, he said they have had conversations with Larry eustachy. Larry is a heckuva coach who you will remember had an alcohol problem. He apparently is off the booze now and has switched to Diet Coke. He did a great job at ISU until he had his issues. If he is clean and sober now, is there any chance ISU would bring him back? I would think no but this guy assures me it is a very real possibility. He said Floyd will NOT get a look however. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
He did a great job when he had issues. Since then he's been OK at lesser situations. How many have ever coached twice at the same school? Just doesn't happen.
 
DanL53 said:
One year ago Jay Bilas and Jeff Goodman were both calling Otzelberger one of the top candidates for a Head Coaching job. In April, Hoiberg hires him back to Iowa State where he had been an Associate Head Coach.

My money is flatly on Hoiberg knowing in April that he was going to be the Bulls coach and T.J. is his handpicked successor. I would not be surprised at all to here a glowing recommendation from Hoiberg, after which best wishes and good luck to anyone at Iowa State (Pollard) that goes another direction, they'd better be willing to bet their job on it.

The only other possibility I can imagine is Otzelberger follows Hoiberg to Chicago, and that I highly doubt.
Click to expand...


This possibility occurred to me, but I don't doubt it as much as you do. I can imagine a scenario where Freddie says he'd like to have T.J. coaching with him in the NBA. I really have no idea, but I'd imagine that a asst. coaching gig in the NBA might be much more appealing both financially and emotionally than in the NCAA. NBA dollars plus the fact that, as a NBA asst. coach, you wouldn't have to spend as much time on the road recruiting high school kids.
 
DanL53 said:
One year ago Jay Bilas and Jeff Goodman were both calling Otzelberger one of the top candidates for a Head Coaching job. In April, Hoiberg hires him back to Iowa State where he had been an Associate Head Coach.

My money is flatly on Hoiberg knowing in April that he was going to be the Bulls coach and T.J. is his handpicked successor. I would not be surprised at all to here a glowing recommendation from Hoiberg, after which best wishes and good luck to anyone at Iowa State (Pollard) that goes another direction, they'd better be willing to bet their job on it.

The only other possibility I can imagine is Otzelberger follows Hoiberg to Chicago, and that I highly doubt.
Click to expand...
Dan I really do agree that yours is probably the most likely scenario. This Eustachy idea though, kind of had me intrigued. I think Otz has been passed over for a head spot a number of times. Makes me wonder if there is some skeleton in his closet or something?
 
DanL53 said:
One year ago Jay Bilas and Jeff Goodman were both calling Otzelberger one of the top candidates for a Head Coaching job. In April, Hoiberg hires him back to Iowa State where he had been an Associate Head Coach.

My money is flatly on Hoiberg knowing in April that he was going to be the Bulls coach and T.J. is his handpicked successor. I would not be surprised at all to here a glowing recommendation from Hoiberg, after which best wishes and good luck to anyone at Iowa State (Pollard) that goes another direction, they'd better be willing to bet their job on it.

The only other possibility I can imagine is Otzelberger follows Hoiberg to Chicago, and that I highly doubt.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. Otzelberger and Hoiberg are supposed to be great friends. It would be a totally classless move to bring him back to Iowa State and then leave two months later unless Otzelberger was told (1) he was a shoe-in for the head coaching job, or (2) Fred would take him with him to the NBA. As between the two, the former seems more likely, especially considering how effusive Otzelberger was about Iowa State and Ames when the announcement of his return was made. Looking back, it seems like he already knew something the rest of us didn't and was preparing the groundwork.
 
I'm hearing a lot more about Tim Floyd returning than about Larry returning. And of course some guys are talking Hornacek.

All things considered, if I had to bet, I'd bet on T.J.
 
Lone Clone said:
I'm hearing a lot more about Tim Floyd returning than about Larry returning. And of course some guys are talking Hornacek.

All things considered, if I had to bet, I'd bet on T.J.
Click to expand...

Oh God, I can't imagine going from Hoiberg's style back to Floyd. Nothing takes the fun out of winning like a 49-46 scoreline.
 
WhiteSoxClone said:
I agree with you. Otzelberger and Hoiberg are supposed to be great friends. It would be a totally classless move to bring him back to Iowa State and then leave two months later unless Otzelberger was told (1) he was a shoe-in for the head coaching job, or (2) Fred would take him with him to the NBA. As between the two, the former seems more likely, especially considering how effusive Otzelberger was about Iowa State and Ames when the announcement of his return was made. Looking back, it seems like he already knew something the rest of us didn't and was preparing the groundwork.
Click to expand...

Yeah, let's say the deal was this, "I'll back you to the hilt for the Head Coach spot at Iowa State, and if they refuse you'll go with me to the Bulls." ;) I think Hoiberg wanted to leave something behind and with the talent, a couple months to acclimate them to Otzelberger taking over...and he working with recruits? It couldn't be a better way to leave Ames.

Again, if I were Pollard and Hoiberg talks up Otzelberger, I'd think long and hard about going another direction. It's pretty much looking the guy who built what is there in the eye and saying, "Nah, I know better."
 
WhiteSoxClone said:
Oh God, I can't imagine going from Hoiberg's style back to Floyd. Nothing takes the fun out of winning like a 49-46 scoreline.
Click to expand...

UTEP averaged 69.3 PPG this season. And with the 30 second shot clock lower scoring games/teams are going to be even harder to find. They averaged 69.4 in 2013-2014.
 
Without any inside knowledge, if I was in Pollard's shoes I would at least be doing due diligence on whether I could snag (a) Jeff Hornacek or (b) Steve Prohm of Murray State. If Hornacek would come, Otzelberger could be quite valuable in helping an NBA coach adjust to the college recruiting and compliance rules. If he could get Prohm (no inside knowledge, I just think the guy can coach, and could be frustrated enough that 27-5 wasn't good enough to make the tournament this year to make a jump to ISU), I think Otzelberger would probably be looking for a job. If Pollard can't grab one of those two, quickly, I think that he names Otzelberger the head coach. For recruiting purposes, it would have to be without an interim label, but you would probably make it a 5 year deal with a very low liquidated damages clause after year 2 so that if it doesn't work ISU can part ways without a big financial hit in 2 years.
 
hooper56 said:
Right off the bat I want to say that I don't necessarily believe this but I talked to someone who I would consider an ISU insider today. He told me that it is not a slam dunk that the cyclones promote this TJ Otzenburger guy. In fact, believe it or not, he said they have had conversations with Larry eustachy. Larry is a heckuva coach who you will remember had an alcohol problem. He apparently is off the booze now and has switched to Diet Coke. He did a great job at ISU until he had his issues. If he is clean and sober now, is there any chance ISU would bring him back? I would think no but this guy assures me it is a very real possibility. He said Floyd will NOT get a look however. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
There are about a dozen threads about the clowns can you just put this garbage in with the other trash, or go to their crap board and discuss their thug program?
 
If I remember correctly Floyd made some not so kind remarks about the state of iowa after leaving isu. He can go blow as far as im concerned.
 
Got to think TJ is the leader unless they can pull in a name coach or talk Jeff back from Phoenix. But winters may be an issue.

Their AD is agressive. It's a great job to walk into. For them now is the time to think big.
 
IF they could get Hornacek it would be a great hire but i don't think they will. I think it will be Otz's to lose. He is a good recruiter in the midwest and did well on the west coast as well with Washington. He was on a list on ESPN of up an coming coaches that deserve a head coaching gig along with the guy that Florida just hired. I would say its risky giving him his first head coaching job but less risky then when they hired Hoiberg. Plus it keeps the team together and they will still be recruiting a lot of the same kids so its continuity. I think if he gets it, it will be important who he adds to the staff. I imagine Cornel Mann will still be there but Hoiberg is taking at least one guy with him.
 
Pollard needs to take advantage of the hype around the ISU program that Fred has given him or he isn't doing his job very well. He could go conservative and pick someone "in house", TJ, any day of the week. So I'll be surprised if Pollard doesn't pull some sort of rabbit out of his hat.
 
CBS Sports is reporting that Pollard indeed wants Otzelberger, but the University president thinks they need a "name" candidate. Always good for internal dissent to get into the national media, and now no matter who is hired, someone very important on campus won't be particularly pleased about it.

I'd revel in all of that, but it's nothing that Barta and our TBD president probably won't botch at their first opportunity as well.
 
It was reported that Hornacek refused to even meet or talk with Pollard or the recruiting firm he hired.
 
Was Hornacek in the mix when Fred was hired at ISU? Fred happened so quickly, I don't recall any other names mentioned.
 
hooper56 said:
It was reported that Hornacek refused to even meet or talk with Pollard or the recruiting firm he hired.
Click to expand...

According to the story on CBS Sports, it sounds as if Hornacek may have been interested had ISU asked permission from the Suns in the right manner.

CBS Sports

This could be a case of Hornacek really not being interested in the job, but he and his agent upset that ISU didn't use the right protocol in asking permission so they can't use the ISU job as leverage with the Suns. Having just 1 year left on your contract with a club option for a second isn't exactly resounding job security.

Otzelberger would be as "safe" a pick as the Murray State coach, LIndsey Hunter, Brad Underwood or Bryce Drew. There is no such thing as a safe pick at places like Iowa, Iowa State. The right coach can win in Ames or Iowa City, but the wrong coach can also lose a lot (see McDermott or Lickliter).
 
Legend12 said:
UTEP averaged 69.3 PPG this season. And with the 30 second shot clock lower scoring games/teams are going to be even harder to find. They averaged 69.4 in 2013-2014.
Click to expand...

I thought I read an article that scoring was the same in the NIT with the new shot clock.
 
DodgerHawki said:
According to the story on CBS Sports, it sounds as if Hornacek may have been interested had ISU asked permission from the Suns in the right manner.

CBS Sports

This could be a case of Hornacek really not being interested in the job, but he and his agent upset that ISU didn't use the right protocol in asking permission so they can't use the ISU job as leverage with the Suns. Having just 1 year left on your contract with a club option for a second isn't exactly resounding job security.

Otzelberger would be as "safe" a pick as the Murray State coach, LIndsey Hunter, Brad Underwood or Bryce Drew. There is no such thing as a safe pick at places like Iowa, Iowa State. The right coach can win in Ames or Iowa City, but the wrong coach can also lose a lot (see McDermott or Lickliter).
Click to expand...


Kentucky, UCLA, all of 'em..have found reasons to run off a coach. There is never a "safe" pick.
 
Everyone knows it is going to be Otzelberger not sure why they need to put on this show to act like they are interested in other people. It might be the best hire as well. Prohm, Underwood, Drew are all intriguing but none of them are slam dunk hires. Prohm probably runs the most up tempo so would fit in best. But it seems like if there is a successful system in place the best thing to do is keep continuity and that would be with Otzelberger. Interesting that ISU contacted Lindsey Hunter about the job and apparently some more NBA assistants as well.
 
David1979 said:
Everyone knows it is going to be Otzelberger not sure why they need to put on this show to act like they are interested in other people. It might be the best hire as well. Prohm, Underwood, Drew are all intriguing but none of them are slam dunk hires. Prohm probably runs the most up tempo so would fit in best. But it seems like if there is a successful system in place the best thing to do is keep continuity and that would be with Otzelberger. Interesting that ISU contacted Lindsey Hunter about the job and apparently some more NBA assistants as well.
Click to expand...

Just playing conspiracy theorist. Presuming it was Otzelberger all the way (which is what I was guessing back when the Iowa State fans were still in the denial they are now denying they ever were in :)). It would explain how a smart guy like Pollard managed to screw up contact procedures for Jeff Hornacek and apparently destroy whatever slim hope there was of talking with him.

It looks to me, all guesswork, that the list of potential coaches is huge, unwieldy and more like a list someone would put together to say they looked long and hard before picking Otzelberger. But, too long and hard means no serious search was really made.
 
DodgerHawki said:
CBS Sports

This could be a case of Hornacek really not being interested in the job, but he and his agent upset that ISU didn't use the right protocol in asking permission so they can't use the ISU job as leverage with the Suns. Having just 1 year left on your contract with a club option for a second isn't exactly resounding job security.
Click to expand...

so what is the correct protocol? do you contact the organization first or the coach? by doing one or the other are you breaking protocol right off the bat? I'm guessing ADs know the correct procedures, but are they different depending on the organization/coach you are interested in?

just wondering out loud...
 
Pollard screwed up protocol by not minting a new gold coin for Hornacek before asking, lol...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Mohawkeye

Defense

Replies
97
Views
4K
Iowa Men's Basketball
RocknRollface
R
Elginhawk

INSANITY & all the coaching mistakes (MSU game)

Replies
15
Views
1K
The Press Box
ClintonHawk
C
Fan In Black

Any body have a Ninja Air Fryer?

Replies
8
Views
213
Off Topic
torbee
torbee
The Tradition

Did you ever have an airline flight attendant who you will never forget?

Replies
34
Views
1K
Off Topic
Hans81
H
U

SIAP: The almost INT by the hawks on ISU's first TD drive; one of several plays usually going for the hawks

Replies
4
Views
568
Iowa Football
Lone Clone
Lone Clone
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back