Report: T.J. Otzelberger headed for Iowa State

SCNCY

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What are the odds this whole thing is just a red herring?

JP made his announcement about "don't believe what you hear" and hours later we are all hearing this smoke around TJ leaving UNLV. Is this all some kind of ruse and JP and his buddy Otz are having a laugh at us all?? Meanwhile the actual candidate is being more motivated to come to the table.

I don't think that is what's happening. But I think there is a nonzero chance its happening.

As we know from previous searches, JP likes to be secretive about this stuff, or at least as much as he cans. With the way media is today, its easy for inside sources to announce what is going on inside, despite the secretive approach JP wants to take.

I think regarding the bolded, it is JP's way to get in front and automatically control the narrative of the search from the get go. It doesn't mean that what is currently being reported by the media is wrong.
 

madguy30

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Coaching was no doubt an issue with Steve, but so was recruiting and development. There was an unbelievable drop off from the high end talent and everyone else.

There was some talent....just not much of 'this what you do, then this is what YOU can do off of that', or so that's what it looked like.
 
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Die4Cy

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What are the odds this whole thing is just a red herring?

JP made his announcement about "don't believe what you hear" and hours later we are all hearing this smoke around TJ leaving UNLV. Is this all some kind of ruse and JP and his buddy Otz are having a laugh at us all?? Meanwhile the actual candidate is being more motivated to come to the table.

I don't think that is what's happening. But I think there is a nonzero chance its happening.

As evidence, the LVRJ article was already published when Jamie went public with his video. I'm sure the writers had tried to contact the ISU AD for comment on their story. So he had to know that was coming.
 

CYEATHAWK

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We won't want him fired? I don't know

That's fair. But you must remember JP wasn't going to fire GMAC after those 4 seasons. Do you consider what he did "well"? Because I've been told way too many times the last few seasons that with the right roster 24 win seasons was underachieving. Was told 12 conference wins was underachieving. Was told conference tourney championships mean nothing. Was told Sweet Sixteen births mean nothing if you get an easy draw. Was told losing in the first round of the NCAA is unacceptable............unless it's UAB.

So all this stuff we've been told over the years.....okay, fine. We just got rid of that guy to hire someone who will do "well"? Then no matter, I'm looking for "well" over 24 conference total wins. "Well" over 12 conference wins. "Well" over Sweet Sixteen births and "well" over never..EVER losing in the first round of the NCAA!

And if he can't accomplish those things because hey........"he didn't have as good of roster as Steve"........then what's the point? Because he obviously can't recruit................."well".
 

rochclone

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Groce has alot of experience at several levels. He's a good coach. He would deserve the same support TJ deserves.

He had an opportunity at the Power 5 level and failed. He didn’t recruit effectively at Illinois. Compare that to Underwood. So you hire the candidate with the same question marks as T.J. but add in that he is old and a ****** recruiter.
 

isu81

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What are the odds this whole thing is just a red herring?

JP made his announcement about "don't believe what you hear" and hours later we are all hearing this smoke around TJ leaving UNLV. Is this all some kind of ruse and JP and his buddy Otz are having a laugh at us all?? Meanwhile the actual candidate is being more motivated to come to the table.

I don't think that is what's happening. But I think there is a nonzero chance its happening.
Would be a pretty risky "joke" for Otz, as to put the genie back in the bottle now would really jeopardize his recruiting and credibility.
 

DSM4Cy

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I would love this just for the drama. Coaching searches and the speculation that comes with them are fun. A 12 hour search would be very unsatisfying.

To add to the total speculation, couldn’t a flight from Akron be Thad Matta? Syncs with the Dresser hire - older, lots of successful P5 experience. Just being clear, this is all for fun. If it’s TJ I’m hoping for his greatest success.
 
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CyLyte2

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Well you aren’t keeping any of the players with that hire. You aren’t keeping Hunter. Five years at Illinois and couldn’t effectively recruit that state while being at the flagship university. 50 years old. Yeah I don’t get that one at all.
Any players kept in a coaching change is gravy and not a consideration for who you hire.