After bringing Iowa State basketball to its third Sweet 16 in five years, Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger has agreed to a new contract extension that will keep him in Ames through June 30, 2036.
The 10-year extension, which will also raise Otzelberger’s salary to $6 million annually, was announced on Wednesday, April 29.
“Coach Otzelberger has elevated our men’s basketball program into a perennial NCAA Tournament and top 25 team,” Iowa State athletics director Jamie Pollard said in a statement. “This contract extension demonstrates Iowa State University’s commitment to him by making him one of the highest-paid basketball coaches in the country. 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 previously agreed to a deal in December 2024 that raised his salary from $2.5 million to $4 million, and it would have lasted through 2032.
The head coach just completed his fifth season leading the Cyclones. This past year, Iowa State finished 29-8, tying for the second-most wins in school history, and reached the Sweet 16, where it fell to Tennessee. The Cyclones finished the 2025-26 season ranked No. 8.
They also reached new heights academically. The team recorded a program-record 3.39 team grade-point average for the fall 2025 semester.
“Coach Otzelberger’s commitment to Iowa State University and our men’s basketball program is a true reflection of his character and values,” Iowa State president Dr. David Cook said in a statement. “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.”
Otzelberger is the only coach in program history to reach the Sweet 16 multiple times. He also became the fastest Iowa State coach to 100 victories when the Cyclones defeated St. John’s, 83-82, on Nov. 24, 2025. He achieved the milestone in just 145 contests. He also became the first coach in Iowa State history to bring the program to five consecutive NCAA Tournaments. The Cyclones also won a Big 12 Tournament title in 2024.
Since inheriting a 2-22 team and becoming the head coach at Iowa State in 2022, Otzelberger has amassed a 124-53 record. His .701 winning percentage is the best in program history. He also holds program records for most NCAA Tournament wins, victories against AP top 25 opponents (30) and AP top 10 teams (15).
He is just one of six coaches in Iowa State men’s basketball history to eclipse the 100-win mark. He ranks fourth in the program all-time, behind Johnny Orr (218 wins), Louis Menze (166) and Glendon Anderson (140). He surpassed Fred Hoiberg (115) and Larry Eustachy (101) on the Cyclones’ coaching wins list.
Otzelberger is 223-116 overall in his 10 years as a Division I head coach. He previously coached for three years at South Dakota State before going to UNLV for two years and then returning to Iowa State. He was previously an assistant coach for the Cyclones from 2006-13, and then again from 2015-16.
“I’m thankful for the support of our President, Dr. Cook and our Athletics Director, Jamie Pollard,” Otzelberger said in a statement. “We are humbled and grateful to continue leading a program that means so much to us. Iowa State is home for my family, and we are excited to be part of the community for years to come.”
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State basketball, T.J. Otzelberger agree to contract extension
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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