(Ames, IA) – Iowa State head men’s basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger has announced the hiring of Tim Buckley as an assistant coach, effective immediately. Buckley previously worked alongside Otzelberger at UNLV.
Otzelberger praised the addition, calling Buckley “a renowned coach in player development” with extensive experience as both a head coach and assistant. He highlighted Buckley’s success in recruiting and developing NBA-level talent and expressed excitement about the impact he will have on Iowa State’s student-athletes.
Buckley brings more than 30 years of coaching experience, earning a reputation as a top recruiter and developer of talent. Throughout his career, he has contributed to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, three NIT appearances, and five conference championships. He has also worked with 12 NBA Draft picks, including nine first-round selections—six of them lottery picks—such as Dwyane Wade, Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, and Noah Vonleh.
Most recently, Buckley spent two seasons at Cincinnati. Before that, he was at South Carolina, helping lead the Gamecocks to the 2024 NCAA Tournament and a program-record regular season win total. That season, South Carolina led the SEC in scoring defense, allowing just 66.4 points per game, and ranked among the conference’s top teams in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Buckley was part of Otzelberger’s staff at UNLV for two seasons and remained in Las Vegas for the 2021–22 season on Kevin Kruger’s staff. In 2020, he was recognized by Stadium as one of the top assistant coaches in the Mountain West.
Prior to UNLV, Buckley worked as a scout for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2017–19. He also spent nine seasons at Indiana (2008–17), including five as associate head coach, helping the Hoosiers reach three Sweet 16s and win two Big Ten titles.
Buckley expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reunite with Otzelberger, praising his success and Iowa State’s national reputation.
Buckley has also served as a head coach at Rockford (1989–93) and Ball State (2000–06). His 2001–02 Ball State team advanced to the NIT Elite Eight, won the MAC West Division, and recorded notable wins over top-ranked programs during the season.
As a player, Buckley competed at Waubonsee Community College and Bemidji State. He was inducted into the Bemidji State Hall of Fame in 2012, as well as the Waubonsee Hall of Fame later that year.
Iowa State is coming off a 29–8 season, tied for the second-most wins in program history. The Cyclones reached the Sweet 16 for the eighth time in their history during their 25th NCAA Tournament appearance.
