Would you welcome Otz back?

[MayorsAge]

A lot of things have happened to Matt since he left ISU. He and Allison are now the proud parents of twins so he might find Ames a great place to raise his family. He could get some pointers from Fred and Carol in that regard.

I believe someone in this thread said "if Fred would have him."


I copied an article to read this quote of Fred's later. I'm not sure but think it was in the Des Moines Register as I usually only read Cyclone information there and the Iowa State Daily. Sounds like Fred is planning to strike fast. I would think maybe even before this week end as more coaching vacancies will probably arise.

"I'll look at the best possible candidate," Hoiberg said. "I'll look at someone that can recruit at a high level, and someone with knowledge on the floor."
Hoiberg said that even could include former assistants like T.J. Otzelberger, now an assistant at Washington, and Doc Sadler, the head coach at Southern Mississippi.
"We'll see how that plays out in the next couple days."

Matt? You man TJ?

 

[DesertClone1]

did someone mention doc Sadler? Hard to imagine hell leave Southern Miss for ISU, Then again. Nothing surprises me anymore regarding ISU athletics

 

[Trice]

Seems like Otz is the top man to replace Matt, so would you welcome Otz back to the program? From the posts today it seems like some people are hesitant to welcome him back. I personally think it'd be a fantastic rehire.

By all accounts it seemed like Otz was a great asset to both McDermott and Fred's staffs, so I have no concerns there whatsoever. My one and only hesitation here is that this turns into a Bobby Elliott type of situation where ISU is that safe landing spot while he angles for the next gig. Which obviously is fine - you want young, up-and-comers who eventually move on to bigger and better things - but it's only fine once. I'm lukewarm about bringing a guy back after that has happened when you know it's going to happen again - maybe as soon as a year from now. I know it's a sign of health in our program that other schools want our assistants, but recruiting relationships are built up over years, not months, so SOME continuity in our staff would be nice one of these years.

But as always, In Fred We Trust.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

did someone mention doc Sadler? Hard to imagine hell leave Southern Miss for ISU, Then again. Nothing surprises me anymore regarding ISU athletics

The situation for Doc at Southern Miss isn't exactly ideal right now. From what I've heard the previous regime there committed some pretty major NCAA violations and the program is about to get hammered, he may lose his best player due to this mess, others may choose to leave the program, and recruiting to a low level mid-major that is facing NCAA sanctions would be about impossible.

 

[Rural]

The poll needed a "It doesn't matter what your name is" option.

 

[CYdTracked]

I thought the whole reason TJ left was to prep himself for an eventual job as a head coach. He's a great recruiting assistant coach but if he wants to be a head coach I'm not sure it is in the best interests of his and ISU to reunite again. Someone shared a link the other day he was rumored to be interviewing for the Wisc. Green Bay head job

 

[Gunnerclone]

Yes, we aren't getting a better recruiter than TJ to replace Matt. He actually could be considered an upgrade in that regard from MA. I'd be interested to know how the Henry Ellenson recruitment would have turned out with TJ as the lead for ISU.

 

[cstrunk]

I'd be glad to have him back, even if for only a couple of years.

 

[acgclone]

I'm very interested into why GeorgesFan isn't a fan of him.

It's probably not that big of a deal.

For one thing, you're never going to find a coach that is liked by 100% of players and families. Who knows, but you have to trust that Fred wouldn't hire the guy if it were a serious deal

 

[Cydkar]

I literally don't care who gets hired. I have zero concern.

 

[danielyp29]

I'm very interested into why GeorgesFan isn't a fan of him.

Some great guys still rub a small handful of people the wrong way. Obviously I don't know what happened between TJ and Georgesfan or why GeorgesFan isn't a fan of him, but I'm not reading into it too much. Just from a personal experience, I had a mutual friend whom I respected a lot and knew was a good guy but things never clicked.

 

[BryceC]

IMO one big positive to Otz is the Milwaukee connections. With buzz leaving Marquette we could get some of those guys like Burton the first time around. I'd love to get our foot back in the door there.