Iowa State hires Otzelberger away from UNLV to lead team
T.J. Otzelberger is returning to Iowa State as head coach after two years at UNLV, athletic director Jamie Pollard announced Thursday.
This will be the 43-year-old Otzelberger’s third stint in Ames, his first as head coach. He was an assistant under Greg Mcdermott, Fred Hoiberg and Steve Prohm, who was fired Tuesday after a 2-22 season in which the Cyclones went winless in the Big 12.
“It’s somewhat rare to get the chance to return home but Iowa State was my first stop as a Division I college coach and it is my wife’s adopted home,” said Otzelberger, whose wife, Alison Lacey, was a three-time All-big 12 pick for the Cyclones. “The resources are here to build and sustain a program that competes at a high level in the Big 12 and nationally. I’m familiar with the foundation of the school and basketball program and am eager and inspired to sell our vision and re-establish a championship culture.”
Otzelberger left Iowa State in 2016 to become head coach at South Dakota State, where his teams won 70 games in three years.
NBA, players agree to modify protocols for vaccinated players
The NBA and National Basketball Players Associated adopted relaxed COVID-19 health and safety protocols for fully vaccinated players. The NBA outlined the interim modifications to the protocols in a memo to teams on Wednesday.
Fully vaccinated individuals: h Will not have to quarantine even if there has been close contact with
Covid-infected person.
h Will not be required to undergo daily point-of-care testing.
h Will not required to undergo PCR testing on off days.
h Can have friends, family and other guests at their home and can have up to four guests at the team hotel on the road. Those guests will not have to undergo testing or register with the team.
h Can eat at outdoor restaurants at home and on the road.
h Can arrive at the arena up to four hours before tip-off without undergoing point-of-care test at the arena.
h Can appear at events to fulfill commitments to a sponsor.
Added modifications will be introduced once 85% of players and 85% of Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals are fully vaccinated.