AMES, Iowa – Iowa State men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg announced today the addition of a well-respected and experienced member to his coaching staff in Doc Sadler. Sadler, who has eight years of head coaching experience at the Division I level, spent last season at Kansas as the Director of Basketball Operations.
A native of Greenwood, Ark., Sadler’s coaching career spans over 30 years. He’s had head coaching stops at three schools (Arkansas-Fort Smith [JC], UTEP, Nebraska), compiling a 269-146 overall mark, including a 149-107 Division I record in eight seasons.
“I am thrilled that Coach Sadler will be joining the Iowa State family,” Hoiberg said. “Doc brings a wealth of experience to our staff and is respected in the profession. His Big 12 coaching experience and extensive recruiting background will help on the road and make him a very valuable member of our staff.”
Sadler is no stranger to Big 12 basketball, spending a year as Director of Operations at Kansas (2012-13), six seasons as head coach at Nebraska (2006-12) and three seasons as an assistant at Texas Tech (1991-94).
“I am excited to work at a program like Iowa State and for a coach like Fred Hoiberg, who has quickly become recognized as one of the best coaches in the nation” Sadler said. “Having coached in the Big 12, I know how important home court advantage is and Hilton Coliseum is one of the best.”
Sadler posted a 101-98 record as the head coach at Nebraska, guiding the Huskers to three NIT appearances (2008, 2009, 2011). His 2008 team won 20 games, the first 20-win season since 1999, and his 2009 squad posted an 8-8 record in the Big 12, NU’s best conference mark in a decade.
His Husker teams defeated eight teams ranked in the nation’s top-25.
Prior to his stint at Nebraska, Sadler had a phenomenal two-year run as the head coach at UTEP (2004-06), producing a record of 48-18. The Miners won 27 games and advanced to the 2005 NCAA Tournament in his rookie season, the ninth-best win total by a first-year head coach in NCAA history. UTEP won 21 games and advanced to the NIT in his last season (2006) in El Paso.
Leading teams to nine postseason appearances as a head coach, Sadler received his first head coaching job at Arkansas-Fort Smith (1999-2003). He led the former junior college power to three postseason appearances while posting a 120-39 mark.
Sadler has worked as an assistant coach at seven current Division I schools, including Arkansas (1982-85, under Eddie Sutton), Lamar (1985-86, under Pat Foster), Houston (1986, under Pat Foster), Chicago State (1987-88, under Tommy Suitts), Texas Tech (1991-94, under James Dickey), Arizona State (1994-97, under Bill Frieder) and UTEP (2003-04, under Billy Gillispie).
Sadler is a 1982 graduate of Arkansas, working four years as a student manager for the Razorbacks under Sutton. He received his master’s degree in education from Northeastern State in 1991.
Sadler and his wife, Tonya, have two sons, Landon and Matthew.
