T.J. Otzelberger formally accepts Iowa Point out coaching career

It’s formal.

Iowa Point out has employed UNLV basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger for the exact same place, Cyclones athletic director Jamie Pollard announced Thursday in a video posted to Twitter.

Otzelberger was twice an assistant at Iowa Point out, totaling 8 yrs under coaches Greg McDermott, Fred Hoiberg and Steve Prohm, who was fired Monday just after a 2-22 period. Otzelberger was 29-30 in two seasons with the Rebels.

“When our coaches are getting pursued by some others, it is a testament to what we are making,” UNLV athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois reported in a assertion. “We value Mentor Otzelberger’s contributions to our men’s basketball program, and we desire T.J. and his loved ones all the finest as they carry on their journey.”

The transfer usually means UNLV will be hunting for its 14th mentor due to the fact the legendary’s Jerry Tarkanian departure in 1992 — and sixth in the past 10 decades. The after proud software is entangled in a constant cycle of turnover and flux that’s established to carry on with but a further coaching search, the second of Reed-Francois’ tenure.

UNLV used a lookup firm, Folger Consulting, for the final coaching look for that resulted in the selecting of Otzelberger, but a individual within just the athletic office claimed the school is not using a search business to come across Otzelberger’s substitute.

The move experienced been in the is effective for much longer and was a “done deal” before this 7 days, according to several persons with awareness of the scenario. Otzelberger’s wife, Alison, was a standout basketball player for the Cyclones, and Otzelbeger remained mates with Pollard after leaving the program in 2016 for his 1st head coaching prospect at South Dakota Point out.

In three years with the Jackrabbits, he was 70-33 whilst making use of an up-tempo, contemporary design and style of perform that he hoped to bring to UNLV. He was employed by Reed-Francois in March 2019 to exchange Marvin Menzies.

The roster turned more than beneath Otzelbeger, and UNLV dropped Shakur Juiston, Trey Woodbury, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and Joel Ntambwe to the transfer portal prior to his initially period with UNLV. But the Rebels additional transfers Donnie Tillman, Elijah Mitrou-Prolonged and Jonah Antonio to a main that involved All-Mountain West honorees Bryce Hamilton and Amauri Hardy.

As a outcome, UNLV concluded 2nd in the Mountain West in 2019-20 in advance of shedding its convention event opener to Boise Condition. Hardy, Tillman and Antonio transferred just after the period, and Otzelberger welcomed transfers David Jenkins Jr., Moses Wooden and Caleb Grill to the software — together with extremely touted freshman and former Durango Superior star Nick Blake.

The group under no circumstances found its stream, though, specially after dropping setting up point guard Marvin Coleman to a leg harm. UNLV completed 12-15 and missing to Utah Point out in the next round of the conference tournament.

Otzelberger explained to the group he was leaving shortly ahead of the official announcement Thursday early morning, in accordance to a single rotation participant who spoke on the problem of anonymity.

“We just all experienced been sitting down limited,” the participant claimed. “He’s likely to do what’s ideal for his family members and every thing, just like all of us would. … None of us are seriously fazed. Obviously there’s a business aspect to it. All the things is all very good.”

Otzelberger unveiled the adhering to assertion through UNLV: “I want to thank our scholar-athletes, coaches, staff and supporters for a unforgettable two yrs at UNLV and in the Las Vegas group. I particularly want to thank Desiree Reed-Francois for delivering me with the outstanding honor of foremost the Runnin’ Rebels. These decisions are under no circumstances effortless, but Alison and I are excited to return to Iowa State, in which we began our relatives and used so several formative several years.”

This is a developing story. Check out again for updates.

Get in touch with reporter Sam Gordon at [email protected]. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.