T.J. Otzelberger quashes "speculation" as ISU prepares for Sweet 16 matchup with Tennessee

[The Rob Gray]

T.J. Otzelberger quashes "speculation" as ISU prepares for Sweet 16 matchup with Tennessee - Cyclone Fanatic

Mar 22, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger calls a play during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images CHICAGO — Iowa State men’s...

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[Cy4Lifer]

Yes! T.J. is OUR guy!!!

 

[Cy4All]

This is why we shouldn't worry about TJ going anywhere. CMC wouldn't do this, he would say something to the effect of I'll let my actions speak for themselves. Fred would just let the rumors fly around all willy nilly. I assume they do this to leverage for a raise, more money for assistance, or some other assistance from the school.

It always bothered me they wouldn't just squash the rumors. TJ just came right out and shut them off. That's my guy.

 

[Pizzapitter]

We best start getting accustomed to "this," partcularly so if we get to the final 8+
Natty? Don't expect, but imagine the unending media noise/offers.

I remember CW stating that he didn't think CMC would leave Ames.

Ps. TJ via Blum, isn't in the top half of B12 salaries

 

[Covenant Clone]

We best start getting accustomed to "this," partcularly so if we get to the final 8+
Natty? Don't expect, but imagine the unending media noise/offers.

I remember CW stating that he didn't think CMC would leave Ames.

Ps. TJ via Blum, isn't in the top half of B12 salaries

Campbell never said he was in alignment with the AD and the President. I think Wendy was a good President but I believe Cook will elevate athletics way beyond what Wendy was capable of. He understands the importance of MBB and Football to the overall health id the university.

 

[MTCyclone43]

I bet with the former football coach and his staff gone the athletic department may have a few extra dollars for coaches salaries.

 

[RedlineSi]

I bet with the former football coach and his staff gone the athletic department may have a few extra dollars for coaches salaries.

I do wonder how much more difficult this would be if they were still here…

 

[NetflixAndClone]

We best start getting accustomed to "this," partcularly so if we get to the final 8+
Natty? Don't expect, but imagine the unending media noise/offers.

I remember CW stating that he didn't think CMC would leave Ames.

Ps. TJ via Blum, isn't in the top half of B12 salaries

CMC also never cried during a presser about how much this job meant to him and joked about how much he loved this job and how it will hurt his contract negotiations with JP.

Maybe just maybe Iowa State could be someone's dream job?

 

[Paz23]

The biggest reason outsiders / national media types ran with this is TJ's low contract buyout and particularly the buyout dropping during the last renegotiation. If you don't do any research or put any thought into it, you would assume that the lowered buyout means TJ wanted an easier out. I believe the reality is that TJ wanted to guarantee that the administration would continue to support his program. Since it is nearly impossible to quantify what that support is in hard contract terms or dollars in the ever-changing world we live in now, the buyout was lowered to basically say, "If you get to a point where you don't like the support, we'll make it easier to leave if you want".

Trying to compare TJ to Campbell is just stupid. Basketball (and every other sport) is different than football. Football success involves the least amount of "luck" of any sport. A great high school baseball team can beat the Dodgers. A great amateur golfer can beat Scottie Scheffler. The Indiana Hoosiers could never beat even the Las Vegas Raiders. Ever.

In football, I think winning a NC requires you to be top 10 in spending and I think Campbell realized that. TJ knows that Iowa State will never be top 10-20 in spending on basketball. He also knows that you don't have to be to win and I think he takes great pride in that. Add to that the fact that TJ and his family have an emotional connection to Iowa State that Campbell just didn't have and the comparison falls apart.

 

[Marcelason78]

……… TJ knows that Iowa State will never be top 10-20 in spending on basketball. He also knows that you don't have to be to win and I think he takes great pride in that. Add to that the fact that TJ and his family have an emotional connection to Iowa State that Campbell just didn't have and the comparison falls apart.

Agree with this part.

 

[Gibbon]

I think the 2 biggest factors to be optimistic about the potential of TJ being here long term are:
1) Alison is not from the U.S. so her main support system is in/around Ames, IA from her playing days. She doesn't necessarily have a "home" elsewhere in the U.S.
2) TJ is a lethal Wisconsin recruiter and he may realize part of his success is his ability to recruit his home state. Can he have the same recruiting success getting WI or midwest guys to the coast?

All that said, let's not be naïve that the chance to coach a blue blood, make twice the money doing so, and have a higher ceiling to potentially win a championship could not ever sway him to leave.

 

[nrg4isu]

It's surprising to me that so few here realized that CMC always had a short list of places he'd consider upgrades to Iowa State. Most of those are a 5 hour drive from Massillon, Ohio. It shouldn't have surprised anyone all that much that he left when and how he did. Yes I hoped his family growing up in Ames would be enough to keep him here as our "forever coach", but it's not all that surprising that they left.

TJ is a different beast. It would be shocking if he would leave. I honestly don't think that's even a thought that goes through his head. I don't know much about his family, but Chris Williams does. Chris is not a good liar, so I trust him when he says TJ wants to be here.

 

[hoosman]

Last 4 months have been brutal for ISU athletics.
Best football coach ever leaves, players refuse to play in bowl game ($500,000 fine), mass exodus of players in portal
Gymnastic team mutinies and then sport is discontinued
Wrestling team chokes in nationals
WBB mass exodus in portal

Meanwhile TJ says no thanks to blueblood job offer and prepares for ISU's 3rd sweet 16 in 5 years.

 

[xr4ticlone]

Let’s not overlook the reality that money doesn’t buy championships.

A&M has spent untold fortunes to win…nothing.

UK spent $10m more to get blown out.

 

[bosco]

Why would TJ stay at school where the AD is trying to undermine him with the NIL? Is he stupid?

 

[Kettes]

Let’s not overlook the reality that money doesn’t buy championships.

A&M has spent untold fortunes to win…nothing.

UK spent $10m more to get blown out.

There's a "sweet spot" somewhere. Yes, 150 million doesn't guarantee a championship (nothing does, really). But, I also promise you that being in the bottom 10% of NIL spending WILL lessen the odds of a 'Natty, too.

Jamie needs to be careful.