Former ISU assistant coach T.J. Otzelberger was introduced as the new South Dakota State men’s basketball head coach Thursday during a press conference inside Frost Arena, the team’s home court. 

Jeff Goodman, a college basketball writer, tweeted that Otzelberger had accepted the Jackrabbits’ head coaching job Wednesday. 

SDSU Athletic Director Justin Sell introduced Otzelberger as a world-class recruiter. 

“I always knew I was talking to a Jackrabbit on the phone,” Sell said. 

Otzelberger was shifting around as he took the podium, but as the crowd roared in his approval, he became more talkative. Former ISU coach Greg McDermott, one of Otzelberger’s mentors, was at the conference as Otzelberger showered him with praise. 

“Becoming a head coach has always been a dream of mine,” Otzelberger said in the conference. “For me, being part of a team has been even more important.”

The Jackrabbits won the Summit League Tournament last season and finished with a 26-8 record. They entered as a 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament but fell to No. 5-seeded Maryland in the first round. 

Former coach Scott Nagy, who guided the team through a transition from Division II to Division I, left for Wright State in Ohio. Otzelberger announced he would be keeping assistant coach Rob Klinkefus, drawing more applause from the crowd. 

“Why not us?” Otzelberger said. “Why can’t we create an unparalleled experience for students who come through our program? Why can’t we compete for a conference championships every year? Why can’t we reach the NCAA Tournament every year?

“The answer is we can and we will.”