Abdelmassih ends speculation, leaves ISU for St. John’s

The speculation has come to an end. 

Now former Iowa State assistnat coach Matt Abdelmassih is going home. 

On Tuesday morning, Abdellmassih, annoucned on Twitter that he has accepted a similar position at St. Johns where he will coach under former St. John’s/NBA great Chris Mullin, who was hired on Monday. 

Abdelmassih also posted the following note to the Cyclone Nation:

Here is to the last 5 years…….

From the accomplishments to the works-in-progress, to all the amazing people I was fortunate to develop relationships with. We’ve had So many incredible moments and they all circle back to one person, Fred Hoiberg. Without Fred, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t have met the best thing that’s ever happened to me, my wife Kelly. I wouldn’t have had the honor to climb on a ladder and cut down the net – twice – winning two Big 12 championships. I wouldn’t have had the honor to work with so many great kids and coaches who have become life long friends. I wouldn’t have experienced one of the most impressive turnarounds in college basketball bringing Iowa State to national prominence. And I can’t forget Hilton Magic…my ears will always ring when someone brings up Hilton Coliseum to me. All of these amazing things happened because of one person. This isn’t easy. Actually this is ridiculously hard leaving a place, and a person, that I truly have deep feelings for. All I can say is Thank You. Thanks for being so supportive, being so welcoming, and passionate. I am going back to work at my alma mater St. John’s, a place that holds a special place in my heart. Make no mistake – I will always have loyalty toward Iowa State and will always bleed cardinal and gold. I can go on and on especially about Fred, but it will never be farewell, only see ya later. I am certain that our paths will cross again. Much love to everyone that I was fortunate to have met and spend time with. Go Cyclones and Red Storm!

Matt

Check out CycloneFanatic.com later today for more analysis on this story. 

Chris Williams

Chris was hired as Cyclone Fanatic’s publisher in the fall of 2009. He is Iowa State football's postgame show host on the Cyclone Radio Network and can be heard daily from 4-7 on Des Moines' top-rated sports station, 1460 KXnO. Williams, a 2007 graduate of Iowa State’s Greenlee School of Journalism, is the former publisher of the old CycloneNation.com (Scout.com). He has also written for the Des Moines Register, the Ames Tribune, CycloneReport.com and is the former sports director at KMA Radio. When Williams isn’t working, you can usually find him doing something outdoors with his wife Ashley, daughter Camryn, and Golden Retriever Dierks. He enjoys golfing, boating, country music, the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Braves and is passionate about any and all motor sports so finding Williams at a local dirt track is very common.

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