When T.J. Otzelberger was introduced as Iowa State’s head coach back in March 2021, he said all the things you expect to hear from a new hire.
Talk of effort, intensity, and competing on every possession - the usual coach-speak. But here we are, nearly five years later, and it turns out Otzelberger wasn’t just checking boxes.
He meant every word.
The numbers and the results speak for themselves. Four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Two Sweet 16 runs. A 17-game win streak to open this season.
A 115-47 record since taking over. And most importantly, a program that was once broken is now not just restored - it’s thriving.
Let’s rewind for a second. When Otzelberger took over, Iowa State was coming off a 2-win season.
That team averaged just 65 points per game, didn’t win a single Big 12 matchup, and had three losing seasons in its previous four. The Cyclones weren’t just struggling - they were at rock bottom.
Athletic director Jamie Pollard didn’t sugarcoat it at the time. “There is no short-term fix,” he said.
“It’s not going to happen overnight. It might take several years.”
And that’s what made Otzelberger’s impact so remarkable. He didn’t just rebuild - he redefined what success could look like in Ames.
This season, Iowa State is 7-2 in the Big 12 and has won 20 of its first 22 games. They’re not just beating teams - they’re steamrolling them.
A 30-point win over Colorado at home. A 34-point dismantling of Kansas State on the road.
These aren’t flukes. This is a team that knows exactly who it is.
And who they are is a reflection of their coach. Otzelberger promised relentless competitiveness, and that’s exactly what his team delivers.
From tip to buzzer, the Cyclones play with a level of intensity that’s hard to match. They defend full court.
They move the ball. They shoot it better than they have in years.
And most importantly, they play for each other.
That kind of chemistry doesn’t just happen. It’s built - through recruiting, through culture, and through a staff that clearly knows how to connect with players. In an era where rosters turn over faster than ever thanks to the transfer portal and NIL, Otzelberger has found a way to keep his team not just intact, but in sync.
And let’s not overlook the landscape they’re navigating. The Big 12 is no joke.
It’s arguably the toughest conference in the country, especially at the top. Five of Iowa State’s nine remaining regular-season games are against Quad 1 opponents.
Three of those are at home, including a Feb. 10 matchup with Baylor - a team that lifted the national trophy just five years ago. Two more are on the road.
Then comes the big stretch: Kansas and Houston back-to-back at Hilton Coliseum on Feb. 14 and 16. Those games could define the Cyclones’ path to a potential Big 12 title and postseason seeding. But if the first two-thirds of the season are any indication, this group won’t blink.
They’re doing what good teams do - taking care of business against opponents they should beat, and doing it with authority. In a conference that’s top-heavy but top-tier, that’s how you stay in the mix.
Otzelberger talked about bringing the magic back to Hilton Coliseum. About building a foundation for long-term success.
That foundation is here. And it’s not just sturdy - it’s thriving.
This Iowa State team is fun. They’re connected.
They’re tough. And they’re not done yet.
Challenge accepted? No doubt.
Challenge exceeded.