Iowa State AD on Hoiberg: 'Really happy that he'll realize his personal dream'

The mayor is gone.

After weeks of speculation that Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg would be hired to replace unceremoniously-fired Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, it has finally been made official.

After five years at the helm of the Cyclones, Hoiberg is destined for the Windy City.

Athletic director Jamie Pollard released a statement soon after the official announcement, thanking Hoiberg for his time with Iowa State.

On behalf of Iowa State University, I want to personally thank Fred (Hoiberg) for restoring a proud tradition to Cyclone men's basketball. When Fred interviewed five years ago, he outlined a plan for how he would bring back the magic to Hilton Coliseum. He certainly delivered on that vision and has built a championship program in the process. We owe him our sincerest thanks.

Although Fred's connections to Iowa State are evident on so many fronts, he has always expressed a desire to coach in the NBA if the right opportunity presented itself. We are happy that he’ll realize his personal dream and wish him success going forward.

We're excited for the future of Iowa State basketball as we have an outstanding group of young men preparing for what should be another terrific season, and we embrace the opportunity to identify a new leader for the Cyclone men’s basketball program.

ISU President Steven Leath and I will conduct a national search for a new coach, and we are confident that our basketball program will continue on the upward trajectory it has established. We are energized to capitalize on the momentum of our program as we pursue a new coach at Iowa State.

As in other coaching searches, the Iowa State Athletics Department will not have further comment on that process until a new coach is introduced.

Iowa State assistant T.J. Otzelberger is reportedly a favorite to replace Hoiberg. He spent seven seasons with the Cyclones before moving to Washington for the last two seasons and rejoining Hoiberg's staff in April.