Iowa State hires former player Fred Hoiberg as coach

Iowa State hires Hoiberg as coach

AMES, Iowa — Iowa State has hired former Cyclones star Fred Hoiberg as its new coach.

Iowa State announced the hiring late Tuesday after completing negotiations with Hoiberg. He was a prep star in Ames before becoming one of the top players in Cyclones history.

Hoiberg played 10 seasons in the NBA and was the vice president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Hoiberg replaces Greg McDermott, who was introduced Tuesday as Creighton’s new coach after four losing seasons with the Cyclones.

Iowa State is holding a news conference Wednesday morning to formally introduce Hoiberg.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Iowa State star Fred Hoiberg is talking to the school about becoming its next men’s basketball coach.

University spokesman Steve Malchow said Iowa State officials were negotiating with Hoiberg, who was a prep star in Ames before becoming one of the top players in Cyclones history. Hoiberg is currently the vice president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, a role that involves collegiate scouting.

Iowa State is looking to replace Greg McDermott, who was introduced Tuesday as Creighton’s new coach.

Hoiberg was one of the most popular players in Iowa State history, scoring nearly 2,000 points from 1991-95 while earning the nickname “The Mayor.” He later spent 10 seasons in the NBA before a heart issue eventually forced him to retire in 2006.

If Hoiberg takes the job, he would inherit a program that’s had four straight losing seasons and was hit hard by player defections this spring.

Cyclones star Craig Brackins declared for the NBA draft and fellow standout Marquis Gilstrap had his appeal for an extra season of eligibility denied by the NCAA. Three others, including starting center Justin Hamilton, have announced plans to transfer.

McDermott, also a native Iowan, took Northern Iowa to the NCAA tournament from 2004-06 but couldn’t get the Cyclones moving in the right direction. He went 59-68 in Ames before returning to the Missouri Valley.

Iowa State was expected to contend for a postseason berth last season but finished 15-17.

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AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell in Minneapolis contributed to this report.