Hoiberg Watch 2015: Monday, June 1 Open Thread

Pat Forde called this in his NCAA preview. At least part of it:

No. 7 IOWA
Best Case: Senior Aaron White continues his late-season drive to go out with some glory, racking up three straight 20-10 games. Jarrod Uthoff lights up the 3-point arc. Adam Woodbury eye-gouges nobody and does not cheat to win the opening tip. Coach Fran McCaffery stays calm for an entire week. Add it up and the Hawkeyes have their best NCAA showing since the late 1980s, charging improbably to the Elite Eight. They're too physical for Davidson and do a nice job on Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer and Kevin Pangos to spring the big upset. Then they take out impostor UCLA in the Sweet 16. Duke ends the run, but this is the best anyone has felt about Iowa basketball in ages. And it helps take everyone's mind off the state of Iowa football. Iowa State is shocked by UAB and Fred Hoiberg sprints to the NBA.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaa-t...-dream-and-nightmare-scenarios-201149015.html


Most of the Hok fans that I am around are just giddy with excitement about Hoiberg's move to the NBA. One actually stated, "Now Iowa will go back to rightfully being the top program." I reminded him that, whoever the coach is for ISU, we have a pretty awesome team coming back, and "you still have Mad Fran and his amazing 2 or 3-star recruits." He shut up pretty quick.
 
As long as Pollard hires a quality coach, that goes by the name of Jeff Hornacek, this will be a complete non-event for me.

While I do think JH is probably the best coach we have a shot at right now, I question if it's the best move long-term. If this last month made you up your anxiety medicine, Horny seems like he would have the exact same issues. Here is a guy that is a full-on NBA guy and doesn't have 1/10 the loyalty to his Alma Matter that Hoiberg had. If he has success, we will be doing this over and over again.
 
This is why many of us, as long-time Cyclone fans, can never really enjoy success without fretting. We are always looking over our shoulder waiting for the other shoe to drop and for something bad to happen. Because the past has shown over and over that things can (and will) change in an instant. So next time we are having success and some of us are still nervous, maybe now you will know why.

I understand where you are coming from but this is a terrible way to go through life in general. Someday it all will end and you will probably have some tragedy and sadness along the way but if you can't enjoy in the successes and happiness that you experience because you are too worried about the failures that will ultimately happen then what is the point of it all.
 
John Rothstein nails it:

2. Iowa State is about to enter a crossroads
The past five years have been an absolute honeymoon for Cyclones fans under Fred Hoiberg, but now they're likely going to deal a cruel dose of reality. Iowa State is not an elite job in college basketball: Hoiberg and his staff made have it that because they've overdelivered with back-to-back Big 12 Tournament titles and a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2014. Hoiberg knows this as well as anybody, and that's why -- according to several sources -- he's likely going to succeed Tom Thibodeau as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Thibodeau's firing on Thursday didn't just put fear into Cyclones fans about losing Hoiberg -- it crystallized a more pressing question: Who would Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard choose to replace him?
Hoiberg had the confidence, temperament, and basketball acumen to stand toe-to-toe with Bill Self, Bob Huggins and Lon Kruger during several Big 12 battles during the past few seasons. Who can Pollard potentially get who has that same type of ilk? Assistant T.J. Otzelberger is the in-house candidate (he spent the past two seasons at Washington) and it will be interesting to see if Pollard keeps things within the current program. This school took a chance when it hired Hoiberg five years ago -- even though he had zero head coaching experience -- and it turned out to the right move. Now the stakes are raised, considering the hopes this program has for next year (top-10 potential). Things are about to get real juicy in Ames.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebas...-center-damian-jones-will-be-force-in-the-sec
 
While I do think JH is probably the best coach we have a shot at right now, I question if it's the best move long-term. If this last month made you up your anxiety medicine, Horny seems like he would have the exact same issues. Here is a guy that is a full-on NBA guy and doesn't have 1/10 the loyalty to his Alma Matter that Hoiberg had. If he has success, we will be doing this over and over again.
Maybe that should say "any more loyalty...than Hoiberg had."
 
TAKE THAT FRED

There's nothing I hate more than having to sit in my Bentley in traffic in total noise cancelling isolation with a few minutes to just think about things. But my Bentley doesn't have the liquid cooled seats, maybe Fred's does and that could change everything.
 
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While I do think JH is probably the best coach we have a shot at right now, I question if it's the best move long-term. If this last month made you up your anxiety medicine, Horny seems like he would have the exact same issues. Here is a guy that is a full-on NBA guy and doesn't have 1/10 the loyalty to his Alma Matter that Hoiberg had. If he has success, we will be doing this over and over again.

If those same issues include conference tournament victories, NCAA appearances and an extreme amount of excitement around the program then I'll gladly take him
 
While I do think JH is probably the best coach we have a shot at right now, I question if it's the best move long-term. If this last month made you up your anxiety medicine, Horny seems like he would have the exact same issues. Here is a guy that is a full-on NBA guy and doesn't have 1/10 the loyalty to his Alma Matter that Hoiberg had. If he has success, we will be doing this over and over again.

If we got Hornacek I think most would reasonably expect 3-5 years out of him before he's off to the NBA again. Then Tj gets some more experience and takes over. I don't get why people don't want a coach that will be highly sought after? I'd much rather have a great coach that leaves after a few years than a mediocre one that is "loyal" to ISU because nobody wants to hire him.
 
Last nights post with some added info...

Here is a quick update on a few of the more popular topics being discussed, in a highly filtered state given the fluidity of things...

1 - It is expected that the announcement of Fred to Chicago will be either late tomorrow or Tuesday. My bet would be on Tuesday based on the position of those that are saying Tuesday behind the scenes.

2 - Despite rumors to the contrary, no decision or offer has been made on a replacement coach, I know that for a fact. There are said to be 4 candidates under heaviest consideration and back-channel, high-level discussions continue to evolve with representatives of each. I feel that a decision will be made this week based on various discussions.

3 - I continue to hear grumbling about the financials involved and the reluctance to shell out the necessary funds, but it's all speculation since JP and Leath are the only two that really know what they're willing to go up to and for whom. FWIW, I do think money is going to play a bigger factor in the decision than many would like - though that should in no way be taken as a suggestion on who I think the replacement will be.

4 - There is a lot of continued chatter about several discussed names (i.e. Hornacek, TJ, and even Floyd) but also a surprising level of talk about some other lesser considered options. None of the information is good enough that I want to add speculation, but I do feel better about the level of search being conducted, though there are still clear concerns about the parameters involved (i.e. money).

5 - I continue to hear very positive things about how the team is sticking together and using this as further motivation to regroup from how the season ended. The assistant coaching staff has done a remarkable job keeping everybody focused on basketball in the huge vacuum created without Fred communicating on a regular basis.

New for Monday...

6 - It has been confirmed that Fred will have paperwork signed by 3 or 4 and a press release should go out by this evening with press conference tomorrow.

7 - I would anticipate a new coach being named by Thursday, possibly sooner.

8 - There continues to be a lot of speculative chatter about replacements, but again, no decision has been made. At the end of the day, I feel decently optimistic with the names being considered.

9 - While the team continues to gel together, there is some frustration that some feel betrayed after being promised by Fred that he would be here through their senior years - pretty common for the situation. Up until two weeks ago, the last time many players talked to Fred, he insisted he was likely to return to Ames next season. With the unconfirmed rumors of some recruits being told it was less than 50/50 he would return, some feel lied to and betrayed.

10 - As long as TJ stays on the staff in some capacity, I don't see anybody transferring. There is no hiding that Matt was close to Fred, but I'm continuously told he wants to continue to develop and prove himself.
 
Last nights post with some added info...

Here is a quick update on a few of the more popular topics being discussed, in a highly filtered state given the fluidity of things...

1 - It is expected that the announcement of Fred to Chicago will be either late tomorrow or Tuesday. My bet would be on Tuesday based on the position of those that are saying Tuesday behind the scenes.

2 - Despite rumors to the contrary, no decision or offer has been made on a replacement coach, I know that for a fact. There are said to be 4 candidates under heaviest consideration and back-channel, high-level discussions continue to evolve with representatives of each. I feel that a decision will be made this week based on various discussions.

3 - I continue to hear grumbling about the financials involved and the reluctance to shell out the necessary funds, but it's all speculation since JP and Leath are the only two that really know what they're willing to go up to and for whom. FWIW, I do think money is going to play a bigger factor in the decision than many would like - though that should in no way be taken as a suggestion on who I think the replacement will be.

4 - There is a lot of continued chatter about several discussed names (i.e. Hornacek, TJ, and even Floyd) but also a surprising level of talk about some other lesser considered options. None of the information is good enough that I want to add speculation, but I do feel better about the level of search being conducted, though there are still clear concerns about the parameters involved (i.e. money).

5 - I continue to hear very positive things about how the team is sticking together and using this as further motivation to regroup from how the season ended. The assistant coaching staff has done a remarkable job keeping everybody focused on basketball in the huge vacuum created without Fred communicating on a regular basis.

New for Monday...

6 - It has been confirmed that Fred will have paperwork signed by 3 or 4 and a press release should go out by this evening with press conference tomorrow.

7 - I would anticipate a new coach being named by Thursday, possibly sooner.

8 - There continues to be a lot of speculative chatter about replacements, but again, no decision has been made. At the end of the day, I feel decently optimistic with the names being considered.

9 - While the team continues to gel together, there is some frustration that some feel betrayed after being promised by Fred that he would be here through their senior years - pretty common for the situation. Up until two weeks ago, the last time many players talked to Fred, he insisted he was likely to return to Ames next season. With the unconfirmed rumors of some recruits being told it was less than 50/50 he would return, some feel lied to and betrayed.

10 - As long as TJ stays on the staff in some capacity, I don't see anybody transferring. There is no hiding that Matt was close to Fred, but I'm continuously told he wants to continue to develop and prove himself.

Good post. 4 candidates?? That is interesting. That should make the "Otz is a done deal" talk stop. Makes me wonder who the other 2 candidates are, since JH and Otz are likely 2 of the candidates.
 
Pollard needs to have some blame in this. Who in their right mind writes a contract that is backloaded with increasing pay with a coach that made it very clear that the NBA was a strong consideration. He should have had a front loaded normal 5 year deal in place that made it much harder to get Fred out of Ames sooner rather than later. Pollard needs some blame for how this went down. And for those of you that are thinking I am talking out of my ***, I don't care because I can promise you I am not.
 
Good post. 4 candidates?? That is interesting. That should make the "Otz is a done deal" talk stop. Makes me wonder who the other 2 candidates are, since JH and Otz are likely 2 of the candidates.

I'd put odds on the other two being Floyd and a mid-major coach (Underwood?)
 
Pollard needs to have some blame in this. Who in their right mind writes a contract that is backloaded with increasing pay with a coach that made it very clear that the NBA was a strong consideration. He should have had a front loaded normal 5 year deal in place that made it much harder to get Fred out of Ames sooner rather than later. Pollard needs some blame for how this went down. And for those of you that are thinking I am talking out of my ***, I don't care because I can promise you I am not.

I think you are talking out of your ***. It is my opinion that no amount of money would have kept Fred away from the NBA.
 
Pollard needs to have some blame in this. Who in their right mind writes a contract that is backloaded with increasing pay with a coach that made it very clear that the NBA was a strong consideration. He should have had a front loaded normal 5 year deal in place that made it much harder to get Fred out of Ames sooner rather than later. Pollard needs some blame for how this went down. And for those of you that are thinking I am talking out of my ***, I don't care because I can promise you I am not.

Your unsubstantiated promise has me convinced. Pitch fork raised.
 
Last nights post with some added info...

Here is a quick update on a few of the more popular topics being discussed, in a highly filtered state given the fluidity of things...

1 - It is expected that the announcement of Fred to Chicago will be either late tomorrow or Tuesday. My bet would be on Tuesday based on the position of those that are saying Tuesday behind the scenes.

2 - Despite rumors to the contrary, no decision or offer has been made on a replacement coach, I know that for a fact. There are said to be 4 candidates under heaviest consideration and back-channel, high-level discussions continue to evolve with representatives of each. I feel that a decision will be made this week based on various discussions.

3 - I continue to hear grumbling about the financials involved and the reluctance to shell out the necessary funds, but it's all speculation since JP and Leath are the only two that really know what they're willing to go up to and for whom. FWIW, I do think money is going to play a bigger factor in the decision than many would like - though that should in no way be taken as a suggestion on who I think the replacement will be.

4 - There is a lot of continued chatter about several discussed names (i.e. Hornacek, TJ, and even Floyd) but also a surprising level of talk about some other lesser considered options. None of the information is good enough that I want to add speculation, but I do feel better about the level of search being conducted, though there are still clear concerns about the parameters involved (i.e. money).

5 - I continue to hear very positive things about how the team is sticking together and using this as further motivation to regroup from how the season ended. The assistant coaching staff has done a remarkable job keeping everybody focused on basketball in the huge vacuum created without Fred communicating on a regular basis.

New for Monday...

6 - It has been confirmed that Fred will have paperwork signed by 3 or 4 and a press release should go out by this evening with press conference tomorrow.

7 - I would anticipate a new coach being named by Thursday, possibly sooner.

8 - There continues to be a lot of speculative chatter about replacements, but again, no decision has been made. At the end of the day, I feel decently optimistic with the names being considered.

9 - While the team continues to gel together, there is some frustration that some feel betrayed after being promised by Fred that he would be here through their senior years - pretty common for the situation. Up until two weeks ago, the last time many players talked to Fred, he insisted he was likely to return to Ames next season. With the unconfirmed rumors of some recruits being told it was less than 50/50 he would return, some feel lied to and betrayed.

10 - As long as TJ stays on the staff in some capacity, I don't see anybody transferring. There is no hiding that Matt was close to Fred, but I'm continuously told he wants to continue to develop and prove himself.

Thanks for the update Jeremy. I posted this in another thread, but I think it's worth repeating here:

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel - Maya Angelou
 
Pollard needs to have some blame in this. Who in their right mind writes a contract that is backloaded with increasing pay with a coach that made it very clear that the NBA was a strong consideration. He should have had a front loaded normal 5 year deal in place that made it much harder to get Fred out of Ames sooner rather than later. Pollard needs some blame for how this went down. And for those of you that are thinking I am talking out of my ***, I don't care because I can promise you I am not.

You can't be serious...
 
Pollard needs to have some blame in this. Who in their right mind writes a contract that is backloaded with increasing pay with a coach that made it very clear that the NBA was a strong consideration. He should have had a front loaded normal 5 year deal in place that made it much harder to get Fred out of Ames sooner rather than later. Pollard needs some blame for how this went down. And for those of you that are thinking I am talking out of my ***, I don't care because I can promise you I am not.

You can write what ever contract you want you still have to get the other party to sign it. Can you imagine the $h!+-storm that would have ensued then if JP would have run Hoiberg out of town over a contract dispute before all this.