Report: T.J. Otzelberger headed for Iowa State

[jsb]

And I read his class this year for UNLV would have been 3rd in the Big 12

And the other coaches have had great recruiting classes.

 

[AttakOfDaClones]

His recruiting is on par with every other UNLV coach.

His recruiting at IOWA STATE is better than any other coach.

 

[67CY]

Any word from the Rag’s ace reportpers Randy/Hines?

 

[dahliaclone]

So. Much. This.



I'll support TJ but this is a really questionable hire for Pollard for a number of reasons. Hope he proves me wrong and I can eat crow.

 

[WhoISthis]

TJ was, to be honest, my last choice for this job. However, I don’t think winning at Iowa State is by any means “a monumental task.” This job has a lot going for it and even a poor coach like Steve Prohm was able to take us to three tournament berths in his first four years.

That’s right. Wayne Morgan won a NCAA tournament game in his second season after inheriting the LE fiasco.

lol at JP implying it’s going to be a long rebuild whilst hiring his unproven friend. Shoot the arrow and paint the target.


TJ should be hired if he represents the fastest way to rebuild. He has provided reasons to think he’ll pivot the roster and hire to offset his weaknesses. Big spring ahead.

 

[cyfan4St8]

Call me crazy but if this rumor is true. I think Fizer will be on his staff. I have a string feeling about it.

Honestly I could see it he’s been very vocal on Twitter wanting to come back and coach here .....

 

[nallen34]

TJ was a 7 seed in the NIT with three 15-25 ppg scorers at South Dakota State.

 

[Clonehomer]

I mean, do you really think Pollard was interviewing other coaches while he still had a coach on staff?

That'd be out of character for Pollard.

He may have been creating a list of who to interview (if he was interviewing anyone but TJ) but there's no way he could have done a real process in 24 hours post-firing.

Don't think you can conduct interviews, but you can sure find out if they're interested in interviewing at the end of the season. We don't know what Pollard's short list was and won't ever know. TJ could have been 4th on that list with the first 3 declining the opportunity to interview.

Or...Pollard decided that TJ was the best option 4 years ago. It could be as simple as Pollard trusting his original feelings and didn't bother looking elsewhere since TJ was better then.

 

[DSM4Cy]

So. Much. This.

If it’s TJ he’s not going to struggle finding bulletin board material.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

Any word from the Rag’s ace reportpers Randy/Hines?

UNLV already said this is speculation and not fact.

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

Look at more than 3 years.

You mean when Dave Rice was literally handing out envelopes of cash?

 

[cyclone1209]

I might rethink my faith in JP if this was actually the move.

I as of tonight agree with you. And if we're being real this isn't the most exciting of hires.

But then I think: what if he is brining a couple ACE assistants with him from unlv who can really coach and recruit, he had two 4 stars committed in the last recruiting cycle (what if they come over to ISU with him), this thing could get turned around quicker than some think.

First two calls for him need to go to Tyrese Hunter and Xavier Foster - that's critical.

 

[WhoISthis]

Just for kicks and giggles, you folks that are pissing about the timeline; suppose JP went to his lake home the next 4 days with three cases of beer. During that time he periodically floats out some rumors that are typical in these searches. Meanwhile TJ our coach in waiting goes on a recruiting excursion. He is free from NCAA violations because he would not be recruiting for UNLV. At the end of it all TJ becomes our next men’s basketball coach. Is this now a better process? Or should we just get it on down the road since it is inevitable.

If those are the only two options- hire TJ without a real search or JP drink beer, then hire TJ- we have a lazy AD.

 

[Clonehomer]

Honestly I could see it he’s been very vocal on Twitter wanting to come back and coach here .....

There's a lot of room on a coaching staff. We could have used a guy that could teach a post move or two over the past couple of years. Doesn't hurt that he appears to have a fairly talented son as well.

 

[Remo Gaggi]

This will go down as the worst coaching hire since Gene Chizek. Are they going to mint some coins with this guy’s face on it? The Wizard of Otz. Nothing to see here. Ignore that man behind the curtain!

 

[dahliaclone]

Anyone else expecting to wake up tomorrow, hearing there's a press conference, everyone tunes in and out walks.....NOT TJ? Just me?

 

[CycloneFan97]

The deal isn't done yet I don't know why people are saying it is just because people on twitter is saying its a done deal. I won't believe anything until Iowa State releases something about it.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

UNLV already said this is speculation and not fact.

Why would someone put this out? Jamie to see how we fans all react?

 

[jsb]

Anyone else expecting to wake up tomorrow, hearing there's a press conference, everyone tunes in and out walks.....NOT TJ? Just me?

Even I would feel sorry for TJ in that case.

 

[isutrevman]

Yep. Good to network and know people, sure, but an above-board process should be about qualifications AND personal fit/reputation. We know that isn’t how the world works (not about what you know but who you know) but it’s definitely corrupt to hire someone for a multi-million dollar position with almost no vetting process.

Yep, never should have hired Hoiberg.