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T.J. Otzelberger is staying in Ames.Iowa State announced Wednesday it has reached an agreement with its head men’s basketball coach to keep him at ISU through the 2035-36 season. Otzelberger will also receive a salary bump — from about $3.5 million per year to $6 million.”Coach Otzelberger has elevated our men’s basketball program into a perennial NCAA Tournament and Top 25 team. This contract extension demonstrates Iowa State University’s commitment to him by making him one of the highest paid basketball coaches in the country,” Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. “We are excited to reward him for the success we have enjoyed during his first five years leading the Cyclones and we look forward to continued success under his leadership.”Otzelberger has overseen perhaps the most successful period in the history of Iowa State men’s basketball. In five years at the helm, Iowa State has a 124-53 record, three trips to the Sweet 16, a Big 12 Tournament title and more victories over AP Top 25 teams than any other coach in school history. He has the highest winning percentage overall (70.1%) and in conference play (58.7%) of any Iowa State men’s basketball head coach.”Coach Otzelberger’s commitment to Iowa State University and our men’s basketball program is a true reflection of his character and values,” ISU President David Cook said in a news release announcing Otzelberger’s extension. “He has reshaped the culture of our men’s basketball program in a way that fosters success and the development of our student-athletes as players and young men. I am proud of the way he represents Iowa State and thrilled that he will continue leading the team as our head coach for the next 10 years.”The Cyclones finished with a 29-8 record in 2025-26, tying the 2023-24 team for the second most wins in school history.Otzelberger’s annual salary will rise to $6 million — making him the nation’s sixth highest-paid coach, tied with Florida’s Todd Golden and Chris Beard from Ole Miss — and he can earn up to $525,000 in bonuses for things like NCAA Tournament appearances and conference tournament championships.If he leaves for another coaching job prior to 2036, Otzelberger’s buyout is $4 million.
T.J. Otzelberger is staying in Ames.
Iowa State announced Wednesday it has reached an agreement with its head men’s basketball coach to keep him at ISU through the 2035-36 season. Otzelberger will also receive a salary bump — from about $3.5 million per year to $6 million.
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“Coach Otzelberger has elevated our men’s basketball program into a perennial NCAA Tournament and Top 25 team. This contract extension demonstrates Iowa State University’s commitment to him by making him one of the highest paid basketball coaches in the country,” Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. “We are excited to reward him for the success we have enjoyed during his first five years leading the Cyclones and we look forward to continued success under his leadership.”
Otzelberger has overseen perhaps the most successful period in the history of Iowa State men’s basketball. In five years at the helm, Iowa State has a 124-53 record, three trips to the Sweet 16, a Big 12 Tournament title and more victories over AP Top 25 teams than any other coach in school history. He has the highest winning percentage overall (70.1%) and in conference play (58.7%) of any Iowa State men’s basketball head coach.
“Coach Otzelberger’s commitment to Iowa State University and our men’s basketball program is a true reflection of his character and values,” ISU President David Cook said in a news release announcing Otzelberger’s extension. “He has reshaped the culture of our men’s basketball program in a way that fosters success and the development of our student-athletes as players and young men. I am proud of the way he represents Iowa State and thrilled that he will continue leading the team as our head coach for the next 10 years.”
The Cyclones finished with a 29-8 record in 2025-26, tying the 2023-24 team for the second most wins in school history.
Otzelberger’s annual salary will rise to $6 million — making him the nation’s sixth highest-paid coach, tied with Florida’s Todd Golden and Chris Beard from Ole Miss — and he can earn up to $525,000 in bonuses for things like NCAA Tournament appearances and conference tournament championships.
If he leaves for another coaching job prior to 2036, Otzelberger’s buyout is $4 million.
