HUMBOLDT (AP) — Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg is more than just a successful coach in the eyes of Cyclones fans.
He’s the local boy made good.
Hoiberg, who just completed his fifth season at his alma mater, has been the subject of all kinds of speculation regarding his future in recent weeks as some wonder if he will be hired by an NBA team.
Hoiberg hasn’t said anything publicly in weeks as he recovers from open heart surgery. But he has previously expressed a desire to coach in the NBA.
“Anxious to hear the outcome,” said J.B. Bunda, a Moorland, Iowa, native and Iowa State alumni who was at a statewide tour stop featuring Iowa State coaches and personnel Wednesday. “Whatever he wants to do. If that’s his lifelong dream (to coach in the NBA), we’ve had a good run with him.”
The specter of losing Hoiberg to the NBA — where he played for 10 seasons after leaving Iowa State, which hung his number in the rafters — has loomed over the program from the moment Hoiberg reached the first of four straight NCAA Tournament appearances in 2011.
Hoiberg’s player-friendly persona and pro-minded offense have helped the Cyclones surge into national relevance.
But Hoiberg’s love of Ames, his hometown where he is the so-called Mayor, has also endeared him to Cyclones fans. Iowa State averaged over 14,000 fans per home game last season, just shy of capacity at Hilton Coliseum. Thousands of Cyclones fans also made the short drive to Kansas City to watch their team win each of the last two Big 12 Tournaments.
“We’ve all got our fingers crossed that his decision is to (have) his kids growing up next to their grandparents in Ames, a smaller town. I mean, that would be my recommendation. I hope he stays, just for the simple fact that I’m selfish,” said Bruce Reimers, a former Iowa State football star who played 10 years in the NFL.
There’s also concern that the 2015-16 team won’t reach its potential without Hoiberg in charge.
Iowa State will return six of its top eight players from last year’s 25-win team, and the additions of transfers Hallice Cooke and Deonte Burton could push the Cyclones into the top five starting next season.
“With our guys, we’re approaching it as business as usual. A single-minded focus. Trying to get tunnel vision on everything we need to do,” said assistant coach T.J. Otzelberger, who filled in for Hoiberg on the tour. “It’d be naive to assume that they’re not getting asked questions. At the same time it’s about those guys. There’s a great team in place. There’s a lot of great players in place that have been here and accomplished a lot and are poised to have a great season.”