ATLANTA, Ga. – Iowa State men’s basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger has been named a semifinalist for the 2024 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year. Otzelberger is one of 10 coaches across the country named as semifinalist, including two from the Big 12.
In his third season at the helm, Otzelberger has led the Cyclones to a Top 10 ranking for the second time, as the Cyclones sit 25-7 overall on the year and are currently ranked No. 7 in the nation. The Cyclones finished second in the Big 12 standings. Otzelberger has led the Cyclones to the Big 12 Championship Semifinals for the second-straight season.
Iowa State has nine wins over AP Top 10 teams under Otzelberger, the second-most in the country and the second-most in school history behind Johnny Orr’s 12. Iowa State’s 18 AP Top 25 wins under Otzelberger are also the second-most in the nation. His 66 wins at Iowa State are the third-most in school history by a coach in their first three years, trailing only Larry Eustachy (72) and Tim Floyd (69).
The Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year award will be narrowed to four finalists on Monday, March 25. The winner will be announced on Sunday, April 7, at the Final Four in Phoenix.