Iowa State Basketball Coach Dismisses Rumors About Leaving for Other Jobs

Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger firmly denied speculation linking him to other coaching positions, particularly rumors about North Carolina. The coach made his comments in Chicago as his team prepares for their Sweet 16 matchup against Tennessee.

Basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger of Iowa State firmly denied Wednesday any rumors connecting him to other coaching positions, calling such speculation “not true” amid ongoing whispers about him being considered for the North Carolina job.

The coach made his statement from the team’s Chicago hotel after the second-seeded Cyclones (29-7) arrived for their Friday Sweet 16 matchup against sixth-seeded Tennessee.

“Any speculation with me and any other jobs or opportunities is not true,” Otzelberger said to the media. “I’m the coach of the Cyclones, thrilled to be the coach of the Cyclones. And what I can say to you even more, as we move forward together, is the alignment on our campus – with (university president) Dr. (David) Cook, (athletic director) Jamie Pollard – is amazing. We’re thrilled and excited about our future together.”

He continued his emphatic denial: “Really appreciative and grateful for Jamie Pollard and David Cook and the conversations we’ve had. Just excited about our future. That’s topic No. 1. There’s no questions about it, there’s nothing to talk about, there’s nothing else to answer. That’s the truth.”

The 48-year-old coach is currently in his fifth year leading Iowa State with a 124-52 record going into Friday’s contest. Under his leadership, the Cyclones have reached the Sweet 16 three times.

His current contract runs through the 2031-32 season with an annual salary of $4 million and includes a $4 million penalty if he departs for another position.

Athletic director Pollard quickly supported his coach on social media following the statement.

“Excited for Cyclone Nation that TJ is not going anywhere — he will be our basketball coach for a long time!” Pollard posted.

Star point guard Tamin Lipsey said the recurring speculation doesn’t catch him off guard.

“There’s rumors every year when there’s a head coaching job, his name is brought up. That’s a credit to him and what he’s done with this program,” Lipsey said in Chicago. “This is where he wants to be. To see him come out and say that right away should mean a lot to us players and the fans in general.”

Throughout his decade as a head coach, Otzelberger has compiled a 223-115 overall record, including previous positions at South Dakota State from 2016-19 and UNLV from 2020-21.