List of potential replacements should Fred Hoiberg leave

[clone52]

You are right. Lots of opinions and very little facts.

But I can't take anyone seriously if they actually think Otz would be a better hire than Hornacek. Hiring a sitting NBA coach (who was runner up for the NBA Coach of the Year last year) vs. an assistant college coach with no experience isn't even debatable. You could have the opinion that TJ would have more success in the long run than Hornacek but there is no way someone could say an Otz hire, on the surface, is better than a Hornacek hire and say it with a straight face.

Why not? Why is it a guarentee that a guy who is a successful NBA coach will be a successful college coach? How do we know Hornacek will enjoy recruiting? How do we know Hornacek will be good working with college age players? How do we know?

Can you name some successful college coaches who went from the NBA to college coach? I can think of Larry Brown, but he even got his start as a college assistant? Can you name a guy who went from the NBA coaching ranks to a head coaching position in college?

I think Hornacek would do a great job, but there really any evidence that says its a given.

 

[CyRann22]

You are right. Lots of opinions and very little facts.

But I can't take anyone seriously if they actually think Otz would be a better hire than Hornacek. Hiring a sitting NBA coach (who was runner up for the NBA Coach of the Year last year) vs. an assistant college coach with no experience isn't even debatable. You could have the opinion that TJ would have more success in the long run than Hornacek but there is no way someone could say an Otz hire, on the surface, is better than a Hornacek hire and say it with a straight face.

Hornacek would be ideal, but I think that some people probably feel that he's just a quick fix and not a real solution to keeping the program successful for the long term. He would probably only be here for a few years and leave.

People are still sold on a coach committing to Iowa State for the long haul and bringing success to the program long term. I would bet in some people's eyes that TJ is still the mystery box that might be able to do that...

It's like that family guy bit where Peter has to choose to between the mystery box and a boat. He ends up choosing the mysery box because it might have a boat in it.

 

[cycloneworld]

Why not? Why is it a guarentee that a guy who is a successful NBA coach will be a successful college coach? How do we know Hornacek will enjoy recruiting? How do we know Hornacek will be good working with college age players? How do we know?

Can you name some successful college coaches who went from the NBA to college coach? I can think of Larry Brown, but he even got his start as a college assistant? Can you name a guy who went from the NBA coaching ranks to a head coaching position in college?

I think Hornacek would do a great job, but there really any evidence that says its a given.

You are right. What I was saying was from a pure resume, on the surface, look at the two people and their resumes. TJ's resume can't hold a candle to Hornacek's. Could TJ turn out to be 5x better than Hornacek, sure!

But if you were in the risk management business, who is less risky...TJ or Hornacek. It would be Hornacek and it wouldn't even be close.

 

[NobodyBeatsCy]

For the 497th time, multiple people who know TJ directly have said this isn't the case. If it was already done, why would JP be talking to a search firm?

For appearances.

I'm not saying I agree with going this way - I'd love a splash hire myself. Experience tells me the pieces have already been moved and set.

 

[TykeClone]

Why not? Why is it a guarentee that a guy who is a successful NBA coach will be a successful college coach? How do we know Hornacek will enjoy recruiting? How do we know Hornacek will be good working with college age players? How do we know?

Can you name some successful college coaches who went from the NBA to college coach? I can think of Larry Brown, but he even got his start as a college assistant? Can you name a guy who went from the NBA coaching ranks to a head coaching position in college?

I think Hornacek would do a great job, but there really any evidence that says its a given.

http://www.rgj.com/story/sports/col...k-words-ex-nba-coaches-fare-college/70544518/

SO, HOW DO FORMER NBA COACHES do at the college level? It's a small sample size, but the data is encouraging. Of the seven ex-NBA coaches who were head guys in college this year, four reached the Sweet 16: John Calipari at Kentucky; Larry Krystkowiak at Utah; Lon Kruger at Oklahoma; and Rick Pitino at Louisville. Another one, Larry Brown at SMU, reached the NCAA Tournament. Only two have struggled – Cal-State Northridge's Reggie Theus and Loyola Marymount's Mike Dunlap – although those two are fresh on the job. There's an obvious difference here: Calipari, Pitino, Krystkowiak and Kruger are all at elite basketball programs. Nevada isn't even an elite Mountain West program, so winning in Reno won't be as easy as winning at those other locations. But having an ex-NBA coach has its perks.

 

[cycloneworld]

Hornacek would be ideal, but I think that some people probably feel that he's just a quick fix and not a real solution to keeping the program successful for the long term. He would probably only be here for a few years and leave.

People are still sold on a coach committing to Iowa State for the long haul and bringing success to the program long term. I would bet in some people's eyes that TJ is still the mystery box that might be able to do that...

It's like that family guy bit where Peter has to choose to between the mystery box and a boat. He ends up choosing the mysery box because it might have a boat in it.

If we can get Hornacek, we could pair him WITH TJ and it would be the best of both worlds.

Why do you say that Hornacek would likely leave in a few years but TJ could stay?? One of those (not Hornacek) already left ISU for a lateral (at best) job. But now he would be a loyal Iowa Stater and never leave? Makes no sense.

 

[ISUChippewa]

So what happens if Otz is given the job, ISU goes to the Final Four and Otz becomes the next Tom Izzo?

What do you say then?

Well then, he wouldn't say anything, because it would have been proven to be a good hire, right?

C'mon man...

If we do a national search, don't get our guy and end up with TJ I'd be okay with that. But if it's just given to a guy who, while he might be a great recruiter and love Iowa State, has still not coached a single Division I game in lieu of conducting an actual search, than JP needs to be roasted over an open fire.

Fred Hoiberg was a risky hire that happened to work out magically (besides his leaving before any Cyclone fan was ready for him to leave). At this point in the program's history hiring Otz instead of doing an actual search is more risky than any of the mentioned names IMO. Lightning does not always strike twice.

 

[cycloneworld]

For appearances.

I'm not saying I agree with going this way - I'd love a splash hire myself. Experience tells me the pieces have already been moved and set.

If our AD is going to spend $100,000+ for appearance purposes, he should be fired.

No offense, but your experience is awful. From my experience, when multiple people who actually know the guy and are 1,00,000x more connected to the ISU athletic department swear over and over he wasn't promised anything why in the world would I choose to believe random internet message board posters with no connections saying otherwise. That makes zero sense.

 

[DesertClone1]

I can't see Mack leaving Xavier... They're a better progam than we are currently.

 

[DesignerClone]

You are right. What I was saying was from a pure resume, on the surface, look at the two people and their resumes. TJ's resume can't hold a candle to Hornacek's. Could TJ turn out to be 5x better than Hornacek, sure!

But if you were in the risk management business, who is less risky...TJ or Hornacek. It would be Hornacek and it wouldn't even be close.

This. And then some.

 

[Stormin]

I hope you realize that the program is in a much, much, MUCH different place when Fred was hired vs. now.

No argument. But Fred had ZERO coaching experience at any level. And ZERO recruiting experience as well. And he was making the argument that Otz should not be considered because he has not been a HC.

In every case there is risk. Some long time assistants have been great. Steve Fisher for example took over for Frieder after the 1989 regular season and actually won the National Championship. He had been an assistant coach for a while. But no head coaching experience. Two years later he signed one of the greatest classes in history.

Iowa signed a successful Butler coach to succeed Steve Alford. Licklighter took the team to new depths of futility. And tripled Licklighter's salary when signing him. So money spent does not equal success either.

Iowa State loses a LOT after next year. Niang, Long, McKay, and possibly Morris. We definitely need a recruiter. Not saying Otz is the man. But predictions of failure before he is even offered the job is a bit over the top. WHAT exactly are you basing your predictions on?

No one has any idea if the next coach will be great or not. McDermott was seen as a great hire. Alford was seen as a great hire for Iowa. Neither were good.

 

[clone52]

You are right. What I was saying was from a pure resume, on the surface, look at the two people and their resumes. TJ's resume can't hold a candle to Hornacek's. Could TJ turn out to be 5x better than Hornacek, sure!

But if you were in the risk management business, who is less risky...TJ or Hornacek. It would be Hornacek and it wouldn't even be close.

Can you name a single coach who's only experience was at the NBA level before becoming a head coach in college basketball? Why do think there is very little risk there?

I can easily name 10 highly successful head basketball coaches at major schools who went straight from an assistant to a head coach. Many of the fail, but sucess has happened before that way.

 

[Stormin]

Well then, he wouldn't say anything, because it would have been proven to be a good hire, right?

C'mon man...

If we do a national search, don't get our guy and end up with TJ I'd be okay with that. But if it's just given to a guy who, while he might be a great recruiter and love Iowa State, has still not coached a single Division I game in lieu of conducting an actual search, than JP needs to be roasted over an open fire.

Fred Hoiberg was a risky hire that happened to work out magically (besides his leaving before any Cyclone fan was ready for him to leave). At this point in the program's history hiring Otz instead of doing an actual search is more risky than any of the mentioned names IMO. Lightning does not always strike twice.

Pretty obvious that a search is being done. A recruiting firm has been hired. IIRC, every coaching vacancy has been done with a search and application process. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[boblaporte]

#1 Lon Kruger
#2 Why isn’t Larry Eustachy on this list?

 

[clone52]

http://www.rgj.com/story/sports/col...k-words-ex-nba-coaches-fare-college/70544518/

You failed to answer my question.

John Calipari started out as an assistant at the college level.
Larry Krystkowiak started out as an assistant at the college level.
Lon Kruger started out as an assitant at the college level.
Rick Pitino started out as an assistant at the college level.
Larry Brown started out as an assistant at the college level.
Reggie Theus started out as an assistant at the college level.
Mike Dulop started out as an assistant at the college level.

Thanks for showing that there is not a single college coach today that has been an NBA coach and gotten a college head coaching job with no prior college coaching experience.

 

[Stormin]

If we can get Hornacek, we could pair him WITH TJ and it would be the best of both worlds.

Why do you say that Hornacek would likely leave in a few years but TJ could stay?? One of those (not Hornacek) already left ISU for a lateral (at best) job. But now he would be a loyal Iowa Stater and never leave? Makes no sense.

Assistants leave to broaden their experience. If anything, the move would add to Otz's resume.

Otz, supposedly has said that the move has made them more aware that they wanted to be back in the Midwest again.

There is the real possibility that Hornacek could coach ISU for a year with the team we have coming back and then leave. Definite possibility.

 

[DesignerClone]

No argument. But Fred had ZERO coaching experience at any level. And ZERO recruiting experience as well. And he was making the argument that Otz should not be considered because he has not been a HC.

In every case there is risk. Some long time assistants have been great. Steve Fisher for example took over for Frieder after the 1989 regular season and actually won the National Championship. He had been an assistant coach for a while. But no head coaching experience. Two years later he signed one of the greatest classes in history.

Iowa signed a successful Butler coach to succeed Steve Alford. Licklighter took the team to new depths of futility. And tripled Licklighter's salary when signing him. So money spent does not equal success either.

Iowa State loses a LOT after next year. Niang, Long, McKay, and possibly Morris. We definitely need a recruiter. Not saying Otz is the man. But predictions of failure before he is even offered the job is a bit over the top. WHAT exactly are you basing your predictions on?

No one has any idea if the next coach will be great or not. McDermott was seen as a great hire. Alford was seen as a great hire for Iowa. Neither were good.

Hahaha. Been a Cyclone fan for over 40 years and NOT ONE fellow Cyclone fan I know saw McD as even a decent hire, let alone a great one. In the case we find ourselves in, the iron is hot, and Pollard MUST set the bar as high as he can.

 

[gwoodclone]

No argument. But Fred had ZERO coaching experience at any level. And ZERO recruiting experience as well. And he was making the argument that Otz should not be considered because he has not been a HC.

TJ absolutely should be considered. And I even said I would be okay with it if we do end up with him. But we need to at least see who else would be interested at a salary a serious P5 program would offer. We can't just hand TJ the job because "consistency" or "recruiting".

 

[TykeClone]

You failed to answer my question.

John Calipari started out as an assistant at the college level.
Larry Krystkowiak started out as an assistant at the college level.
Lon Kruger started out as an assitant at the college level.
Rick Pitino started out as an assistant at the college level.
Larry Brown started out as an assistant at the college level.
Reggie Theus started out as an assistant at the college level.
Mike Dulop started out as an assistant at the college level.

Thanks for showing that there is not a single college coach today that has been an NBA coach and gotten a college head coaching job with no prior college coaching experience.

And all transitioned from the NBA back to college...which is what you asked.

 

[ejcs]

This is the contradiction I don't get. You don't care if a homerun hire is only here for 2 years, but our current home run hire is leaving after 5 and getting KILLED for it.

First, Fred was not a home run hire when he took the job. He became that with a unique recruiting strategy, and an advanced ahead of his time approach to the game.

Because of 30 years of history, especially the last 4 years for younger people, it's a good to great job right now. An excellent roster returning, with a chance to put your imprint on the team the following year.

People need to come to grips that Ames iowa is not a destination spot. If this coach won't stay, then who will? That's why it's so very important that JP hasn't just settled for the next coach by going out to Washington last year.