Report: T.J. Otzelberger headed for Iowa State

[CloneGuy8]

 

[Trice]

Keith Murphy just reported it.

He just shared the same story everyone else is sharing. So at this moment we have one report.

 

[exCyDing]

Yep. Not my first choice but if it is him, then I’m onboard. Whoever it is, it’s time to find some players, get to coaching and being the Magic back! If it’s TJ, he knows the job and should be ready to hit the ground running. Could be a fun spring.

I think TJ can get it turned around quicker than most due to familiarity and recruiting chops.

I’d love a home run hire that I felt totally sure would work out. The reality is we’re looking for a new coach along with Minnesota and Indiana and in the middle of the financial hit from the pandemic coming after going winless in the conference. Not exactly the sort of trifecta you’re hoping for.

TJ had the recruiting chops. I’d rather not have to hold my breath for assistants to handle the Xs and Os, but it is what it is. Realistically we were probably going to get a coach that was great at one or the other with what we can spend right now.

 

[Rabbuk]

Welp guess I'll have to pick up cross stitch or something to fill the winter months

 

[jsb]

I actually think TJ would’ve been more successful and sustainable the first time around. Not sure he’s the guy to dig us out of a hole, but could’ve kept the ball rolling well.

It's just hard for me to see how he's successful here. I get that he's a great recruiter, but frankly we need someone that can coach. The results seem to be mixed on that. But whatever.

 

[Cyched]

 

[WhoISthis]

I mean, Jamie was PRETTY DAMN OBVIOUS when he said this in his statement:

"The best person (for this job) doesn’t mean just because somebody can win at another program, that they can win at Iowa State"

Let’s hope his comments about it being a long rebuild are less foretelling.

No **** it’s a long rebuild, you extended a bad coach and then two years later replaced him with a risky hire that hadn’t proved he can win in the MWC let alone rebuild a Big 12 program

 

[cyclones500]

Not saying this report is incorrect, but I'd wait for the ISU media to confirm it.

Yeah, I'm skeptical. Initial time stamp on that story is 7 a.m. (not sure of time zone, let's assume EDT) -- with update around 5:30) -- if it broke that many hours ago, EVERYONE would have it by now, even if LVR-J was first.

 

[JP4CY]

Well hello Paloma. How you doin?

 

[everyyard]

The one to trash is JP.

only if you are a crybaby and hate ISU. JP isn’t going anywhere so your trashing of him will only make yourself, ISU fans, and our sports programs look bad to outside viewers including recruits. So, I don’t know what to tell you. Get on board and be a fan or don’t be a fan. Maybe the second is the best plan for a while.

 

[CyLyte2]

I think TJ can get it turned around quicker than most due to familiarity and recruiting chops.

I’d love a home run hire that I felt totally sure would work out. The reality is we’re looking for a new coach along with Minnesota and Indiana and in the middle of the financial hit from the pandemic coming after going winless in the conference. Not exactly the sort of trifecta you’re hoping for.

TJ had the recruiting chops. I’d rather not have to hold my breath for assistants to handle the Xs and Os, but it is what it is. Realistically we were probably going to get a coach that was great at one or the other with what we can spend right now.

We can stop the “X&O” myth. There’s nothing to suggest that.

 

[mkadl]

I don't see a lot of people trashing him. I see a lot of people wondering why we are hiring him. I think it's OK to question why we are hiring someone who does not have a winning record at a Mountain West school after less than 24 hours.

I personally am not friends with him, so I don't know all of his great qualities.

I heard he is a really nice guy and that is important in a coach.

 

[Stormwarning]

I would be very surprised if it was this quick. JP loves these coaching searches and loves the thrill of the chase. He is a wizard at keeping these things under wraps. It is what he lives for.

 

[alarson]

I didn't mind TJ being on the list, but he needed to not be the list.

A move within 24 hours indicates that there was no true search done and comes off as a 'buddy hire'

I hope it works out. It may very well work out. But it rubs me the wrong way.

 

[cyclone87]

Seems less than ideal that this leaked out early if true. I think TJ can definitely be successful here and hope he is. McDermott and Fred were both good hires by Pollard (even though GM didn’t ultimately succeed here).

 

[JM4CY]

I would like to see Miss Villicana report on this in a video.

 

[JStanz51]

I believe this to be true. While TJ very well could be Iowa State's next coach, it seems as though someone in Vegas jumped the gun.

 

[jsb]

Are some people going to get off their Jamie Pollard "high moral character" horse if this is true? Just sounds like he has his guy set up beforehand and probably barely interviewed anyone else. And if true, that's pretty ****** if you ask me, border lining on nepotism. The fact that he had to make this statement in the statement was really obvious:

"The best person (for this job) doesn’t mean just because somebody can win at another program, that they can win at Iowa State"

Jamie should probably apply that the other way too. Just because someone can't win at another program doesn't mean they will win at Iowa State. His statement was meant to soften the blowback from his decision coming very soon with TJ.

Here's the thing. I am against this hire. At the very least I'm against the optics of picking him in what appears to be 24 hours.

But we are a football school now and frankly what matters is keeping Campbell happy. When Campbell leaves, then we can have a talk about Jamie's future.

 

[cydsho]

Not saying the report is not true but 10 people reporting the same story doesn't mean 10 people are confirming.
It's like no one has learned anything about disinfo. Oh wait.....

 

[madguy30]

I guess I can go back to the McDermott years of just not caring about basketball at all?

Geez I don't know if I watched 5 games of the McD era.

Doubt I get there with this but it right now it feels like a slight uptick from the current state of the program.

Now that I think of it I need to cancel my ESPN+ for this season....maybe write down my password for next fall.