Iowa State men’s basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger agreed to a 10-year contract extension on Wednesday that will pay him $6 million annually. He is now under contract until June 30, 2036.
Otzelberger guided the Cyclones to their third Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament over the past five seasons in 2025-26. Iowa State finished with a 29-8 record, tying for the second-most wins in program history.
“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,” athletic director 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.”
Iowa State has earned five straight NCAA Tournament bids under Otzelberger, who was hired in March 2021 after the program went 2-22 in 2020-21. The Cyclones are 124-53 overall in five seasons with Otzelberger at the helm.
“I’m thankful for the support of our President, Dr. (David) Cook and our athletics director, Jamie Pollard,” Otzelberger said. “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.”
Otzelberger, 48, is 223-116 in 10 seasons with South Dakota State (2016-19), UNLV (2019-21) and Iowa State. He also took South Dakota State to the NCAA Tournament on two occasions (2017, 2018).
