TJ bio . . .

[clonedude]

I honestly believe TJ has just as much of a chance to succeed here than almost anyone else we can hire.

I still think JP MUST at least talk to Hornacek and see if there is any interest there at all though? But if we can't get him, then I'm just as fine with TJ getting the job as I am with Drew, Underwood, Rice, etc, etc who have all been mentioned.

In fact, I guess I'd probably prefer TJ over any other mid-major coach. At least TJ gives us some continuity as far as playing style goes, and I think the players like him and will play for him as well. That is worth a TON!

 

[ThatllDoCy]

If TJ had stayed at ISU this entire time, he would be much more talked about, and we'd be a better program.

 

[tyler24]

If TJ had stayed at ISU this entire time, he would be much more talked about, and we'd be a better program.

I'm kind of glad he left for a couple years. He was able to learn from another talented coach in Romar. From a recruiting standpoint it would have benefited us if he stuck around, but from a coaching standpoint I think it will benefit him more. Plus it may have opened a few more recruiting doors out west for him.

 

[Leidang]

I did some research last night on TJ's recruiting record. This was helped since ISU seems to be one of the few schools with good recruiter data in the rivals database. The recruiting info is where he was listed as the lead recruiter. Recruiting gets are players that committed to ISU. Misses are players that went elsewhere... note Clyburn and McKay both committed elsewhere but eventually came to ISU.

[TABLE="width: 457"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Overall
[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Conference
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]W
[/TD]
[TD]L
[/TD]
[TD]W
[/TD]
[TD]L
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Iowa State
[/TD]
[TD]2006
[/TD]
[TD]15
[/TD]
[TD]16
[/TD]
[TD]6
[/TD]
[TD]10
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Iowa State
[/TD]
[TD]2007
[/TD]
[TD]14
[/TD]
[TD]18
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD]12
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Iowa State
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[TD]15
[/TD]
[TD]17
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD]12
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Iowa State
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[TD]15
[/TD]
[TD]17
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD]12
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Iowa State
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[TD]16
[/TD]
[TD]16
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD]13
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Iowa State
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[TD]23
[/TD]
[TD]11
[/TD]
[TD]12
[/TD]
[TD]6
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Iowa State
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[TD]23
[/TD]
[TD]12
[/TD]
[TD]11
[/TD]
[TD]7
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Washington
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[TD]17
[/TD]
[TD]15
[/TD]
[TD]9
[/TD]
[TD]9
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Washington
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[TD]16
[/TD]
[TD]15
[/TD]
[TD]5
[/TD]
[TD]13
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3"]Recruitung Gets
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]At ISU
[/TD]
[TD]Year
[/TD]
[TD]Stars
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mike Taylor
[/TD]
[TD]2006
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Charles Boozer
[/TD]
[TD]2007
[/TD]
[TD]2
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Craig Brackins
[/TD]
[TD]2007
[/TD]
[TD]5
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Diante Garrett
[/TD]
[TD]2007
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dominique Buckley
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Justin Hamilton
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]LA Pomlee
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Chris Colvin
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Antwon Oliver
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Melvin Ejim
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Eric McKnight
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]DeMarcus Phillips
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tavon Sledge
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Naz Long
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]KJ Bluford
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Matt Thomas
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Nick Noskowiak
[/TD]
[TD]2016
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]At Washington
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Quevyn Winters
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Malik Dime
[/TD]
[TD]2015
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3"]Recruiting Misses
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]P'Allen Stinett
[/TD]
[TD]2007
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Kenton Walker
[/TD]
[TD]2007
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tyrone Appleton
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tyreese Breshers
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dwight Buycks
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jeronne Maymon
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Reggie Moore
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Brad Reese
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Xavier Thames
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]CJ Wilcox
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Will Clyburn
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Darrwll Haley
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Austin Kuemper
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Charles Lee
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Justin Moss
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Anthony Odunsi
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Telvin Wilkerson
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Elgin Cook
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ray Lee
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]JP Tokoto
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Negus Webster-Chan
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]EC Matthews
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jameel McKay
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Incyte]

Great recruiter. Tremendous gamble to hire as a head coach.
I'm sure this is the direction that Pollard wants to go, and I have very little confidence in that direction.

The man has all this experience, but nobody is lining up to interview him for a head coaching position outside of Green Bay and Northern Kentucky. That speaks volumes to me, and looks like a major disaster waiting to happen.

I don't understand this reasoning. Outside of Hornacek everyone is a huge gamble.

 

[LLCoolCY]

Thought it might be interesting to list all the recruits we have gotten without Otzelberger's assistance in recruiting since Otz left 2 years ago. Here you go.

​Clayton CusterPG
Overland Park, KSBlue Valley Northwest
6'0"
170

4 stars
NaN
11/19/12

Georgios Tsalmpouris
C
Greece, NAPierikos
7'1"



NaN
5/11/14

Actually both Clayton and Nick N. were recruited to Ames by TJ. There was some speculation Clayton considered have re-opened up his recruitment when Otz left for UW. Nick became a serious target for ISU once TJ was back in Ames and due to his relationship he had built 3 years earlier while at ISU.

 

[CycloneErik]

I don't understand this reasoning. Outside of Hornacek everyone is a huge gamble.

Or they aren't all huge gambles. A guy that can't get a head coaching job is the biggest gamble on the potential list, and carries the extra weight of the perception that you know will run rampant that Pollard hired his buddy cheap instead of building the program. There's a 100% guarantee that will be the running narrative that TJ coaches under for the length of his tenure, and especially heavy if he isn't winning.

 

[LindenCy]

I don't understand this reasoning. Outside of Hornacek everyone is a huge gamble.

I think part of the issue is that many fans would like to see the search play out and know that due diligence was done. It may be that is the case, but with this leak, it sure feels like a lot of people are suddenly on board with what looks like a lazy hire.

I've said it many times, but I think TJ could end up great and it could be the right choice, but it's not a slam dunk, or a splash hire coming off the heels of one of the most popular figures in ISU history. If there is a search and TJ is the winner, that's great, but no one wants to feel like the easy option is being forced down their throat, whether that is really the case or not. A lot of this is perception, and the long way this has played out is not helping at all.

If TJ's the best choice, I hope he gets the job and we see great success, but most of the posts on both sides of this issue and others look like setups to later say "I told you so."

 

[96Cyclone]

The question for a mid major coach and Hornacek for that matter is who/how will they handle recruiting. The question for TJ is who or how will he handle X and O's and game management. I can remember watching the sidelines and timeouts during Fred's first year. He was standing front and center with his calm demeanor, but there was a guy next to him on the bench constantly yelling plays,etc to players. In time outs he was usually the guy with the whiteboard in the crouch in front of the five. That was Bobby Lutz. Then Fred brought on Henry. Then returned to the experienced ranks with Doc as an assistant. Fred often credited Doc for defensive adjustments and game planning. The point being, TJ's top assistant will be a very important piece, and an experienced coach will be important.

 

[Incyte]

Or they aren't all huge gambles. A guy that can't get a head coaching job is the biggest gamble on the potential list, and carries the extra weight of the perception that you know will run rampant that Pollard hired his buddy cheap instead of building the program. There's a 100% guarantee that will be the running narrative that TJ coaches under for the length of his tenure, and especially heavy if he isn't winning.

I think bringing in a head coach who has never been at the P5 level (McD, Jacobson, Licklighter, etc) is more of a risk. TJ knows what kind of player he needs to win here and I think he'll make sure we do.

A lot of lower level head coaches think they can win simply be being a better game-day/system coach and flame out terribly.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I honestly believe TJ has just as much of a chance to succeed here than almost anyone else we can hire.

I still think JP MUST at least talk to Hornacek and see if there is any interest there at all though? But if we can't get him, then I'm just as fine with TJ getting the job as I am with Drew, Underwood, Rice, etc, etc who have all been mentioned.

In fact, I guess I'd probably prefer TJ over any other mid-major coach. At least TJ gives us some continuity as far as playing style goes, and I think the players like him and will play for him as well. That is worth a TON!

We may never know if Hornacek was contacted or not. He might have already been contacted. We might have contacted his agent, which allows Hornacek to say HE hasn't been contacted. Our search firm might have contacted Hornacek or his agent which allows US and HORNACEK to say that ISU hasn't contacted HIM. There is just too many things that can happen that allow deniability from all sides. I just wish people would get past the "we at least have to contact Hornacek" thing because we may never actually contact Hornacek himself but that doesn't mean that business wasn't conducted even though Hornacek and JP may come out after the dust has settled and say "they/we never contacted Hornacek/ISU".

 

[Cyclone27inQC]

Great recruiter. Tremendous gamble to hire as a head coach.
I'm sure this is the direction that Pollard wants to go, and I have very little confidence in that direction.

The man has all this experience, but nobody is lining up to interview him for a head coaching position outside of Green Bay and Northern Kentucky. That speaks volumes to me, and looks like a major disaster waiting to happen.

Nobody was lining up to interview Fred either...I trust JP.

 

[CySmurf]

Great recruiter. Tremendous gamble to hire as a head coach.
I'm sure this is the direction that Pollard wants to go, and I have very little confidence in that direction.

The man has all this experience, but nobody is lining up to interview him for a head coaching position outside of Green Bay and Northern Kentucky. That speaks volumes to me, and looks like a major disaster waiting to happen.

I'm sure if he wins here with the team we have next year, people will be lining up to talk to him because, afterall, Iowa State is just a stepping stone position anyway.

 

[deadeyededric]

Larry Krystkowiak!

 

[bosco]

I honestly believe TJ has just as much of a chance to succeed here than almost anyone else we can hire.

I still think JP MUST at least talk to Hornacek and see if there is any interest there at all though? But if we can't get him, then I'm just as fine with TJ getting the job as I am with Drew, Underwood, Rice, etc, etc who have all been mentioned.

In fact, I guess I'd probably prefer TJ over any other mid-major coach. At least TJ gives us some continuity as far as playing style goes, and I think the players like him and will play for him as well. That is worth a TON!

I have to agree.

 

[bosco]

I'm sure if he wins here with the team we have next year, people will be lining up to talk to him because, afterall, Iowa State is just a stepping stone position anyway.

It's something we should be use to by now. Just going to have to keep on keeping on.

 

[Scott34]

So this may be a dumb question, but would he recruit as much if he were the head coach?

 

[huntt26]

What style of ball will we play? Will otz let us wear white helmets?

 

[Gunnerclone]

So this may be a dumb question, but would he recruit as much if he were the head coach?

He's the HC, he can do whatever he wants.

 

[mikedp]

TJ is a great recruiter. I mean, he got Brackins and Garrett under McDermott. Think of what Fred could have done with those guys.

I am on board with TJ. Frankly, the difference right now for us is recruiting. #1 we need someone who can recruit. We are competing on the floor with anyone.

On board with TJ also, but frankly we need to show recruits stability at coaching level. This is nothing to downplay CFH's success (and I wish he would stay) but you have to think the NBA rumors of the last couple of years has limited higher profile recruit's interest, with TJ we get top recruiter carrying the CFH legacy into his own coaching career