Shocker (Not): T.J. is revered by his peers.

[Allikat]

‘Best Recruiters’ by Anonymous Coaches

The next member of the Big 12 to pop up was Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger who one SEC coach said, “Iowa State has been really good. He knows the guys who fit what he wants, and he goes hard after them. He places a bigger emphasis on how they fit as a team, and it shows on the court.”

 

[Frak]

To me, this is something that TJ does really well that Prohm struggled with. Prohm got some talent, but seemed to have trouble putting the pieces together and getting everyone to buy into roles.

 

[Lineup]

winner

 

[Stormin]

To me, this is something that TJ does really well that Prohm struggled with. Prohm got some talent, but seemed to have trouble putting the pieces together and getting everyone to buy into roles.

Prohm couldn’t coach the talent he got. TJ is a possible Hall of Fame Coach. We are fortunate we got TJ back.

 

[ghyland7]

It seems like TJ’s superpower is his ability to be honest and straightforward with every guy on the roster. I would think that it’s hard to be mad at TJ as a player if he is always consistent.

We probably won’t get a ton of Omaha Biliew level talents outside of unique situations/homegrown talents, but it feels like we will definitely guys who understand what their role is supposed to be. You can win a LOT of games with 3 and 4 star players having their talent maximized.

 

[NWICY]

It seems like TJ’s superpower is his ability to be honest and straightforward with every guy on the roster. I would think that it’s hard to be mad at TJ as a player if he is always consistent.

We probably won’t get a ton of Omaha Biliew level talents outside of unique situations/homegrown talents, but it feels like we will definitely guys who understand what their role is supposed to be. You can win a LOT of games with 3 and 4 star players having their talent maximized.

For a lot of players D1 is their last stop, if you can get on a team with a group of guys you like, win a bunch of games, make the tourney etc... it would be a great way to end your career. Right now ISU is in a sweet spot with a nice group of guys playing in the pros which is a added bonus IMO.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Or just get to a Final Four and keep churning out NBA talent.

 

[cyclones12321]

Prohm couldn’t coach the talent he got. TJ is a possible Hall of Fame Coach. We are fortunate we got TJ back.

And the best part is he seems to be content at isu for as long as we want him

 

[Frak]

For a lot of players D1 is their last stop, if you can get on a team with a group of guys you like, win a bunch of games, make the tourney etc... it would be a great way to end your career. Right now ISU is in a sweet spot with a nice group of guys playing in the pros which is a added bonus IMO.

Getting guys in the league is huge. We've had NBA players in the past, but not like Haliburton. Hornacek was at least a starter and made an all-star team. Other than that, role players like Hoiberg, Cato, etc. Even Niang fits into that...good player, long career, but not a starter. Haliburton is a max contract guy. That turns some heads.

Every FB and MBB recruit thinks that they are going pro. If you can prove you can help them get there, that is a huge recruiting advantage. Iowa football has been living off this in recruiting for decades.

 

[Frak]

Prohm couldn’t coach the talent he got. TJ is a possible Hall of Fame Coach. We are fortunate we got TJ back.

I didn't think that he was a horrible coach. He just couldn't control player egos and get them to buy into the team concept. Leads to a lot of disfunction. Not a surprise that his best team was when he inherited a bunch of strong leaders.

 

[Stormin]

I didn't think that he was a horrible coach. He just couldn't control player egos and get them to buy into the team concept. Leads to a lot of disfunction. Not a surprise that his best team was when he inherited a bunch of strong leaders.

Not being able to control player egos and getting them to play as a team. That is why Prohm is not a good coach. Worst season record in Cyclone history in his final season and winless in the Big 12. Horrible coach.

 

[Frak]

Not being able to control player egos and getting them to play as a team. That is why Prohm is not a good coach. Worst season record in Cyclone history in his final season and winless in the Big 12. Horrible coach.

I don't disagree there...that's part of coaching. But, you don't do what he did at Murray by being a horrible coach. I would just say he's a good mid major coach and not cut out for this level. I don't want to defend Prohm, because he made some obvious mistakes, but his last season he had no real chance at success. No nonconference easy games to build up wins and confidence, no fans in Hilton, Haliburton got hurt. Couple that with some bad recruiting choices and a really strong B12 and that's what you get. I'm just glad that we didn't have to be there to watch it and he made it an easy choice to move on.

 

[Stormin]

I don't disagree there...that's part of coaching. But, you don't do what he did at Murray by being a horrible coach. I would just say he's a good mid major coach and not cut out for this level. I don't want to defend Prohm, because he made some obvious mistakes, but his last season he had no real chance at success. No nonconference easy games to build up wins and confidence, no fans in Hilton, Haliburton got hurt. Couple that with some bad recruiting choices and a really strong B12 and that's what you get. I'm just glad that we didn't have to be there to watch it and he made it an easy choice to move on.

Prohm is a decent recruiter. At Murray his talent level was higher than his competition. Prohm can win with superior talent covering up his coaching deficiencies. Hard to do in the Big 12 with the Head Coaches in the league. They can recruit. And coach.

 

[madguy30]

To me, this is something that TJ does really well that Prohm struggled with. Prohm got some talent, but seemed to have trouble putting the pieces together and getting everyone to buy into roles.

TJ and staff seem to be really good at having a plan and the players seem to know where they stand in that plan. He must be really good with communication and honesty and people appreciate that.

 

[Malty Flannel]

We are really, really lucky to have TJ. No matter how his career pans out, he is the perfect coach at this current era for ISU

 

[Jer]

I think good coach/bad coach get confused sometimes for situation, fit, and timing. There are good coaches that fail miserably at a school or NFL, NBA, etc team; that doesn’t make them a bad coach. They could be the wrong fit or the wrong timing.

Good examples would be Urban Meyer and Nick Saban. Nobody questions their recruiting or coaching abilities, but both failed along the way.

Calipari or Jimbo are the exact opposite. I think they are elite recruiters but don’t know how to adjust to the strengths and weaknesses of any given year’s team. Nobody has done less with elite talent than Calipari and Jimbo. Those guys are thought of as great coaches, but I’d argue they’re not able to do one of the most critical aspects of the job – adapt. They also seem to lack a lot of developmental abilities.

TJ is an elite recruiter and master at adapting to his team’s abilities. That’s exactly what it takes to be successful at Iowa State - maximize what you've got. If you can’t adapt and develop talent, you will always suffer at a place that can’t just out talent their opponents. Add in the ability to develop guys and build a strong culture and you have the recipe for sustained success.

 

[TXCyclones]

‘Best Recruiters’ by Anonymous Coaches

The next member of the Big 12 to pop up was Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger who one SEC coach said, “Iowa State has been really good. He knows the guys who fit what he wants, and he goes hard after them. He places a bigger emphasis on how they fit as a team, and it shows on the court.”

Just imagine what TJ could have done with those teams that were handed to Prohm. (EDIT... This next sentence is incorrect on my part. I forgot it was Leath rather than Jamie) This will forever be my biggest complaint about ADJP. The thought of this haunts me.

 

[Clonefan32]

I think TJ has quite a bit of Campbell in him when it comes to recruiting. You're getting a complete open book on what you're going to get when you come here. It's not ego-stroking TikToks with the coach dancing with chains on. It's an honest assessment of where you fit in, what the program will do you for, and an actual interpersonal relationship with someone who is interested in your success. It may not work for some kids, but it gets you the kind of player you want to have in your program.

 

[Statefan10]

I think TJ has quite a bit of Campbell in him when it comes to recruiting. You're getting a complete open book on what you're going to get when you come here. It's not ego-stroking TikToks with the coach dancing with chains on. It's an honest assessment of where you fit in, what the program will do you for, and an actual interpersonal relationship with someone who is interested in your success. It may not work for some kids, but it gets you the kind of player you want to have in your program.

He's a perfect coach for the type of player who has a ton of talent but wants to work to be better. He's going to squeeze every last drop out of you and that's why we've had two straight successful seasons with guys who didn't have a ton of talent. We now get to see his system at play with some of the best recruits we've ever had.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I think his best two qualities are sincerity and vision. He is who he is, and who he appears to be, and he has a really well defined vision for how he wants his teams to play basketball. A close third would be his choice of assistants, and being humble enough to let them do their thing too.