Iowa State Hires New Basketball Assistant Coaches
The Cyclones bring in three new assistants to manage specialized defensive duties for the upcoming season.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball
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Iowa State has hired Tim Buckley, Allan Hanson, and Chuck Ruffing to join the men's basketball coaching staff as assistant coaches. The trio will manage defensive coordination duties following the departures of Kyle Green and J.R. Blount to head coaching roles elsewhere.
Why it matters
The staff turnover in Ames comes as the Cyclones look to maintain a high-level defensive culture that has consistently placed the program among the nation's best in defensive efficiency since 2021. The new coordinators are tasked with sustaining this elite performance as the team integrates eight newcomers to the roster.
Iowa State has maintained a top-15 national ranking for defensive efficiency in every season since 2021. This stretch includes four separate finishes within the top-10 defensive efficiency rankings over the last five years.
The players
Tim Buckley
He is an assistant basketball coach at Iowa State who manages rim protection and defensive rebounding.
Allan Hanson
He serves as an assistant coach for the Iowa State men's basketball team focusing on opponent pressure.
Chuck Ruffing
He is a new assistant coach for the Cyclones tasked with overseeing defensive stops and turnovers.
T.J. Otzelberger
He has led the Iowa State men's basketball program as head coach since 2021.
The details
Tim Buckley is responsible for overseeing rim protection and defensive rebounding, while Allan Hanson directs defensive pressure. Chuck Ruffing will handle defensive stops and turnovers, working alongside returning offensive coordinators Erik Crawford and Nate Schmidt.
Timeline
The Cyclones have maintained a top-15 defensive efficiency streak since the 2021-22 campaign.
Iowa State begins the 2026-27 season on November 2 against Memphis.
Season Trajectory
These coaching changes aim to preserve the high-efficiency defensive identity that has become a trademark of the program under recent leadership. Success in integrating these new tactical coordinators will be vital as the team adapts to an influx of eight new players on the active roster.
With eight new players joining the roster, these defensive assignments will be critical in establishing the team's interior presence and rebounding consistency early in the season. Fans can monitor the effectiveness of these tactical changes beginning with the season opener against Memphis on November 2.
The takeaway
Maintaining specialized coaching roles for specific defensive metrics like rim protection and turnovers demonstrates a focused approach to team building. Adapting these defensive schemes to a roster with eight newcomers remains the primary challenge for the staff this season.
Further reading
For more on the team's preparations, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by USA TODAY.
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