T.J. Otzelberger finalizes 2026-27 coaching staff

[JacksonLPence]

The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 6, 2026

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State Men’s Basketball Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger has finalized his staff for the 2026-27 season.

Chuck Ruffing has been named an assistant coach, while Richardson Maitre and Fletcher McGarvey have been added as graduate assistants. In addition to the three latest newcomers to the staff, Thomas Pollard has been moved to the Director of Recruiting, while Diante Garrett is now the Director of Player Development.

T.J. Otzelberger finalizes 2026-27 coaching staff - Cyclone Fanatic

Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger watches the game from the bench during the second half in the Big-12 conference men’s basketball against Texas Tech on Feb. 28, 2026, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn...

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

What responsibilities will be different for Garrett? I guess I don’t know the difference between Player Development and Assistant. Is it a demotion?

 

[Pope]

Hmmmm.....I thought Thomas Pollard went with Kyle Green to UNI.

 

[bluestarcyclone]

Hmmmm.....I thought Thomas Pollard went with Kyle Green to UNI.

Different Pollard son

 

[Cyched]

What responsibilities will be different for Garrett? I guess I don’t know the difference between Player Development and Assistant. Is it a demotion?

I'm sure Diante loves ISU, but why would any coach, including him, accept a demotion?

I'm sure he's taking on more responsibility with JRB and KG leaving.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Hmmmm.....I thought Thomas Pollard went with Kyle Green to UNI.

That's James. He has been on staff at UNI since he was a manager.

 

[Cyclonepride]

That new assistant should help TJ keep the state of Wisconsin in a headlock

 

[NENick]

Big shoes to fill for this staff.
Have Crawford's duties changed?

 

[MTCyclone43]

Big shoes to fill for this staff.
Have Crawford's duties changed?

Good thing the man at the top has feet big enough to fill those shoes.

 

[Sigmapolis]

Almost like a TJ 2.0 era with all the new faces.

 

[CycloneErik]

Good thing the man at the top has feet big enough to fill those shoes.

Well, his arms are. The shirts, maybe not?

 

[NorthCyd]

I'm sure Diante loves ISU, but why would any coach, including him, accept a demotion?

I'm sure he's taking on more responsibility with JRB and KG leaving.

How sure are you about that? Wasn't he an assistant coach last year? Going to director of player development means he won't be recruiting or coaching on the bench during games. Maybe it's what he and TJ think is best for his development as a coach, but generally I don't think moving from an assistant coach position to director of player development is seen as a step up in the coaching world.

 

[Cyched]

How sure are you about that? Wasn't he an assistant coach last year? Going to director of player development means he won't be recruiting or coaching on the bench during games. Maybe it's what he and TJ think is best for his development as a coach, but generally I don't think moving from an assistant coach position to director of player development is seen as a step up in the coaching world.

I’m never sure of anything.

He’s still listed as an assistant on the 26-27 roster on cyclones.com - maybe it’s an additional responsibility? Not sure how Otz does it.

 

[CycloneErik]

I’m never sure of anything.

He’s still listed as an assistant on the 26-27 roster on cyclones.com - maybe it’s an additional responsibility? Not sure how Otz does it.

Me, either, but the obviious conclusion is that it's all over.

 

[Cyched]

Me, either, but the obviious conclusion is that it's all over.

“Diante Garrett’s demotion highlights a sense of defeatism setting in on ISU hoops.”

By Travis Hines

 

[PineClone]

Me, either, but the obviious conclusion is that it's all over.

Rot settling in.

 

[GMackey32]

Diante was a Contract Associate meaning he has a job as long as the program has the money to fund it. Being moved to Director of Player Development is full-time work. He essentially was a grad assistant who wasn't in grad school when he was a contract associate.

 

[RustShack]

What responsibilities will be different for Garrett? I guess I don’t know the difference between Player Development and Assistant. Is it a demotion?

His position was kind of weird, I don’t think he was actually an assistant coach. But yes, if he was an official assistant it would be a demotion. He was more like Kempt when he was here, wasn’t the QB coach but helped the QB’s.

 

[DrClone]

Does anyone have any thoughts on Ruffing? If TJ likes him that's all that matters, but would like to hear what others think.

 

[GMackey32]

Does anyone have any thoughts on Ruffing? If TJ likes him that's all that matters, but would like to hear what others think.

Head Coach of Team Herro. Rising young coach who also happens to be an access point to the best talent Wisconsin has to offer. So now we have relationships with both big AAU programs in Wisconsin.