(Ames, IA) – Iowa State’s Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger has been able to transform the Cyclone men’s basketball program. In turn, he has been named a semifinalist for the 2024 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year.
Otzelberger came into Iowa State in March of 2021 after Iowa State posted one of their worst seasons in program history with a 2-22 record and didn’t win a single conference game, going 0-18. In just three seasons, he has turned around this Cyclone program. Iowa State now sits at 26-7 while posting a 13-5 conference record and an undefeated 18-0 home record in the regular season. Iowa State currently ranks #7 in the nation and finished second in the Big XII standings overall. Otzelberger has also now led the Cyclones to back-to-back semifinal games and their first Championship game since 2020.
Iowa State has featured nine wins over AP Top 10 teams in three seasons under Otzelberger which ranks the second-most in the country and second-most in school history behind Johnny Orr’s 12 wins. With three seasons under his belt, he has accumulated now 67 wins which ranks for the third-most in school history by a coach in their first three years.
The announcement for the finalists of the Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Award will be next Monday, March 25th. The winner will be announced the final week on Sunday, April 7th.
