ESPN article with comments on TJ

[MeanDean]

Calling Illinois' loss to Maryland the biggest headscratcher upset of the week sure seems wrong. KU losing at UCF gets that award. Especially when KU always gets homecourt treatment home-or-away in the Big XII.

 

[Cycsk]

100% agree BUT we must also treat him fairly and pay him well. If there is one thing that is common in any industry is underpaying someone because they like you as an employer. Basically don't give him a reason to even look around.

Right now TJ is the 60th highest paid coach in the country. That was fine when he was hired and is probably even fine for this year but demonstrating success 3 years in a row with the trajectory the program is on, he should get a nice bump soon IMO.

Wasn't TJ hired under some sort of special agreement with Pollard in which he would be paid less than market value at first? I don't recall why, perhaps it had to do with the buy-out of Prohm.

 

[Cycsk]

If he left, it would be a blueblood hire. If UNC or Kentucky call and you're a basketball coach, you gotta pick up the phone at least. I can see with Campbell if someone like MSU called you listen, and hoping on the money train becomes tempting. Not for basketball, though.

Even if he went to a blueblood, he would have a clause in his contract about Smedium polos.

 

[Jer]

If I could have a man crush on anybody, it would be TJ. He's genuinely an absolute wonderful human being, big hearted, smart, caring for everybody, and just so happens to have cardinal and gold running through his DNA. There's never been and will never be another person I want to be at Iowa State as much as TJ. Since my first phone call with him way back in 2006, I've been hooked.

 

[jmb]

That's why I had to add.

What are you refrencing?

 

[Cydkar]

What are you refrencing?

"...unless we treat him unfairly."

 

[Sigmapolis]

Will have to fight off some major suitors for those guards/wings! But that's the world we live in.

Yes yes sugar baby. Daddy just sent you some more money.

Now go and buy us something nice we'll enjoy together.

 

[t-noah]

I think it’s safe to say for the financial situation at the time and with Prohm nosediving the program TJ was a home run hire.

Still too early to say. I need to see more.

I'll see myself out.

 

[nfrine]

Still too early to say. I need to see more.

I'll see myself out.

I am surprised you say that...not really.

 

[t-noah]

I'm not concerned about him leaving but soon TJ will be like Campbell and will be mentioned every time a coaching vacancy comes open.

I just don't see people expecting him to leave. Big 12 is the premier basketball conference. I would think media members recognize the vast majority of other schools would be viewed as a lateral move at best. Only the top "blue bloods" would be viewed as a step up, but even then it's a low probability he would even consider such a change.

I really don't think Otz will be discussed to open positions anywhere near like Campbell

If I could have a man crush on anybody, it would be TJ. He's genuinely an absolute wonderful human being, big hearted, smart, caring for everybody, and just so happens to have cardinal and gold running through his DNA. There's never been and will never be another person I want to be at Iowa State as much as TJ. Since my first phone call with him way back in 2006, I've been hooked.

TJ Otz becomes a legend at ISU, and after 4 National Championships, finally retires at the relatively young age of 67, only to be replaced by his long time assistant, Georges Niang!

I like this coaching tree better than Houston's. I'm just sayin'. In my dreams.