Skipping Ames?
Iowa State prepared if Floyd leaves to coach Bulls
Posted: Friday July 17, 1998 10:58 AM
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Floyd's 81-47 record in four seasons with the Cyclones has drawn the interest of the Bulls (Jonathan DanielAllsport) |
AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa State officials will be ready to roll in their search for a successor if basketball coach Tim Floyd jumps to the NBA's Chicago Bulls.
Floyd is thought to be the leading candidate to succeed Phil Jackson as the Bulls' coach, and a decision is expected within the next two weeks. Athletics director Gene Smith said he already has drawn up a "long list" of possible replacements if Floyd leaves.
"On that list, we have some people we would target right away," Smith said.
Iowa State president Martin Jischke confirmed earlier this month that Floyd has talked to the Bulls. Floyd has compiled an 81-47 record in four seasons with the Cyclones, who have made the NCAA tournament three times during his tenure.
Smith said Floyd is keeping him apprised of his situation.
"I haven't received a call yet that Tim Floyd is going to the Bulls," Smith said. "We talk quite a bit and he's been pretty forthright."
Illinois State coach Kevin Stallings has been mentioned as a possible successor if Floyd leaves. Iowa officials also are thought to be eyeing Stallings as a replacement for Tom Davis, who'll resign at the end of the 1998-99 season.
Smith said he would seek help from others if he has to find a new coach, just as he did before hiring Floyd. Among those who helped then was Gary Thompson, an Iowa State basketball star in the 1950s and now a TV analyst at Cyclone games.
Floyd changed his mind after first accepting the Iowa State job and said he wanted to stay at New Orleans, where he had been the coach for six years. But he agreed to coach the Cyclones after talking to Thompson.
"We have a lot of people who support men's basketball," Smith said. "I'd pull those people together and we'd talk. Those people would include Gary Thompson and others. It's important to remember that there is a lot of talent around, so we'd better use it."
Floyd has yet to hire a replacement for associate head coach Sam Weaver, who left in April to become Northern Iowa's head coach. Some have viewed that as a sign Floyd is uncertain whether he'll stay at Iowa State.
Smith said Floyd didn't want to rush his decision on hiring a new coach.
"He hit the recruiting trail right away, then took a few days off around July 4," Smith said.
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