Things are a lot more quiet after being able to track the Chris Beard pursuit almost step for step, but two names that I have heard in relation to the job are Iowa State's TJ Otzelberger and College of Charleston's Chris Mack.
Otzelberger is 47 and did an excellent job with the Cyclones this year, getting them as high as second in the AP Poll. They ended up winning 25 games before getting bounced in the second round of the tournament. He won 29 games last year as Iowa State went to the Sweet 16. He guided Iowa State to the Sweet 16 twice in four years.
I have heard people say that he's an Iowa State grad and therefore untouchable, but that's not true. He went to Wisconsin-Whitewater. His wife DID go to ISU and played basketball there, so it would be a tougher pull. He has coached in both the Midwest and out west (UNLV), but no SEC experience. He is considered an elite recruiter.
Mack is a little older at 55, but has had success at both Xavier and Louisville before going 24-9 and Charleston this year. At Xavier, he won 24 games or more five times and to the Musketeers to the Sweet 16 three times. He made it to the Elite Eight once. He was then hired at Louisville and won 24 games in 2020 before Covid wiped out the season, but was fired after recording one of his assistants trying to extort him. He turned down a chance to replace Sean Miller for a second time at Xavier a couple of weeks ago, but would likely listen to the Aggies if they came calling.
Otzelberger is 47 and did an excellent job with the Cyclones this year, getting them as high as second in the AP Poll. They ended up winning 25 games before getting bounced in the second round of the tournament. He won 29 games last year as Iowa State went to the Sweet 16. He guided Iowa State to the Sweet 16 twice in four years.
I have heard people say that he's an Iowa State grad and therefore untouchable, but that's not true. He went to Wisconsin-Whitewater. His wife DID go to ISU and played basketball there, so it would be a tougher pull. He has coached in both the Midwest and out west (UNLV), but no SEC experience. He is considered an elite recruiter.
Mack is a little older at 55, but has had success at both Xavier and Louisville before going 24-9 and Charleston this year. At Xavier, he won 24 games or more five times and to the Musketeers to the Sweet 16 three times. He made it to the Elite Eight once. He was then hired at Louisville and won 24 games in 2020 before Covid wiped out the season, but was fired after recording one of his assistants trying to extort him. He turned down a chance to replace Sean Miller for a second time at Xavier a couple of weeks ago, but would likely listen to the Aggies if they came calling.
