DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State’s beloved ”Mayor” is gone, lured to the riches and challenges of the NBA.
At least Fred Hoiberg left his alma mater stocked with talent.
The 42-year-old Hoiberg grew up in Ames, served as a ball boy for the Cyclones and later starred for legendary coach Johnny Orr. As a coach, he brought back the ”Hilton Magic” to a success-starved fan base.
Rare was the day when Hoiberg could walk down the street without being stopped for autographs and his record stood for itself: Four NCAA tournament appearances in five seasons and back-to-back Big 12 tourney titles.
But now the day Iowa State fans have been dreading has come. Hoiberg is off to coach the Chicago Bulls.
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Iowa State’s beloved ”Mayor” is gone, lured to the riches and excitement of the NBA.
At least Fred Hoiberg left his alma mater stocked with talent.
The 42-year-old Hoiberg grew up in Ames, served as a ball boy for the Cyclones and starred for legendary coach Johnny Orr. As a coach, he brought back the ”Hilton Magic” to a success-starved fan base.
Rare was the day when Hoiberg could walk down the street without being stopped for autographs and his record stood for itself: Four NCAA tournament appearances in five seasons and back-to-back Big 12 tourney titles.
But Monday brought the news that Iowa State fans have been dreading: Hoiberg will try his hand at coaching the Chicago Bulls – and his fans in back Iowa will be forced to move on without him.
”He’s has been a hero for so many of us,” said Iowa State fan Mike Rouse, 35, of Norwalk, Iowa. ”There’s a lot of people in shock. But at the same time, most of the people that I know are just completely thrilled for him. Because he’s taken us to places and made everybody dream of Final Fours and things like that. Just had to enjoy the ride, you know?”
Hoiberg hardly left them hanging either. The team he built for 2015-16 has all the makings of a national title contender.
Senior forward Georges Niang will be a top candidate for pre-season first-team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year honors. Senior center Jameel McKay is the league’s defensive player of the year despite sitting out the first month of last season.
Junior point guard Monte Morris led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio in each of his first two seasons. Guards Naz Long and Matt Thomas and forward Abdel Nader are Big 12 tested, and transfers, Hallice Cooke (Oregon State) and Deonte Burton (Marquette) should push for playing time on a team where minutes will be at a premium.
Iowa State fans had hoped that Hoiberg would be the man to lead what could be the most talented team the school has ever had.
Hoiberg’s five years as the coach of the Cyclones will always be remembered fondly in Ames anyway.
Hoiberg hadn’t coached a day in his life when athletic director Jamie Pollard tabbed him to resurrect a program that had fallen on hard times. Hoiberg rewarded the school’s faith in him, going 111-56 at Iowa State with a school-best four straight NCAA tourney trips and a berth in the Sweet Sixteen in 2014.
”He brought the magic back. I mean, the favorite son coming back – it’s the fairy tale you read about but never get to live,” said Mark Fitzpatrick, 48 and an Iowa State fan from Kansas City. ”We got to do it for five years. I don’t hold any anymosity whatsoever.”
Through it all, Iowa State accepted the fact that Hoiberg might leave for the pros someday. After all, he spent 10 years playing in the NBA and left a front office post with Minnesota to coach the Cyclones.
Iowa State even made Hoiberg’s buyout in case he took a pro job a relatively low $500,000; it was $2 million if he bolted for a college job.
Hoiberg ignored the annual NBA speculation and kept returning to Iowa State until now.
Now those heartbroken Cyclones fans will have to hope his successor – and the loaded roster he’ll inherit – can build on what Hoiberg started.
”It was a honor playing for you (coach Hoiberg) now it’s time to take the winning culture u built here and take it to whole other level next year,” McKay tweeted Monday night.
Luke Meredith
AP Sports Writer/Editor
Des Moines, IA 50309
Cell: 515-210-3701
Fax: 515-243-3884
Twitter: LukeMeredithAP
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