This is the sixth in a series of profiles of potential candidates for Indiana’s open basketball head coaching position.
Candidate: T.J. Otzelberger
Age: 47
Current position, tenure: Iowa State head coach since 2021
Previous Jobs: UNLV head coach 2019-21; South Dakota State head coach 2016-19; Iowa State assistant coach 2015-16; Washington assistant coach 2013-15; Iowa State associate head coach 2010-13; Iowa State assistant coach 2006-10; Chipola College assistant coach 2004-05
Accomplishments: Otzelberger has led Iowa State to three straight NCAA Tournaments, with a fourth tournament berth in four years all but guaranteed entering March. The Cyclones reached the Sweet 16 in two of those three appearances, and they’ve been one of the best teams in the country this year. In his first head coaching job at South Dakota State, he led the Jackrabbits to two straight Summit League tournament championships, followed by two straight regular season crowns in his three seasons with the program. He’s amassed a 190-104 record across his three coaching stops.
Why it might work: Otzelberger’s teams have a clear identity, built on strong defense. This year’s Cyclones have the worst KenPom adjusted defensive rating of any of his four teams at ISU, and it’s still No. 11. Last year’s Iowa State team boasted the No. 1 adjusted defensive rating in the country. He gets his players defending with passion and purpose.
He’s enjoyed some recruiting success at Iowa State, with two of his five classes (including 2025) ranking in the top 15 on 247Sports. Otzelberger is young, and he’s restored Iowa State into a Big 12 power in just a few years. He’s reached more Sweet 16s in just three seasons in Ames than Indiana has in the last 11 years.
His reported buyout is $4 million, which is a very manageable figure for Indiana. And his reported salary is also $4 million, which the Hoosiers should be able to beat. Iowa State is a school IU could outmuscle financially in an instance like this.
Why it might not work or happen: As is the case with many top candidates for the IU job, there’s a real chance that Otzelberger won’t want to leave his current job. He spent eight years across two stints as an Iowa State assistant before returning as head coach, and his wife enjoyed a strong four-year career for ISU women’s basketball and is in the university’s athletic Hall of Fame. If they just want to stay in Ames, there’s not much Indiana can do about that.
On the court, he may not be the best fit if Indiana is set on hiring a more offensive-focused coach. Iowa State is No. 23 in KenPom adjusted offensive rating, but that’s more of an anomaly compared to his first three teams in Ames. ISU was No. 52 in adjusted offensive rating last season, No. 114 in 2023, and No. 171 in 2022. He did produce more productive offenses at South Dakota State, but the defense seems to be his identity now.
Additionally, Otzelberger endured two rough years at UNLV in between his successful runs at South Dakota State and Iowa State. The Runnin’ Rebels had missed postseason play for six straight years when he took over, but he didn’t exactly get the ball rolling. IU would need to make sure that wouldn’t happen again if he left Iowa State.
Previous profiles:
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