If there was ever a tough act to follow, it would be the person who is tasked with replacing Fred Hoiberg – the unofficial mayor of Ames – as the next head coach of ISU men’s basketball.

Not even from a community standpoint, but simply from within the locker room.

Steve Prohm, the man tasked with following up Hoiberg’s five-year act, took time out of his introductory press conference to speak directly to his team in front of fans and media members, showing that he is well on his way to winning over the locker room.

“This game isn’t about me, it’s not about the head coach, it’s about those guys right there,” Prohm said referencing the team.

“It’s your team, not mine.”

Prohm made it clear that he is not trying to replace Hoiberg. He knows Hoiberg is irreplaceable as far as Ames, Iowa is concerned.

Instead, he is trying to build on from Hoiberg’s success. If it isn’t broke, why fix it?

Step one in doing just that is getting the players on board.

Prohm aims to keep things just the way they were in Ames before he arrived, which is welcoming news for the players.

He will employ a similar scheme, featuring a fast-paced, up-tempo offense, much like Hoiberg’s offense that has brought Iowa State so much success during the past few years.

“It’s just going to be a different guy on the sidelines, but it’s going to be the same results out there,” said Monté Morris of the playing style next season.

A coaching change can cause friction among a team. The new guy comes in and he has his way of doing things and the players are used to the old way of doing things.

That shouldn’t be a problem for Prohm’s Cyclones.

“He’s not trying to come in here and change the culture … and it’s cool to see that,” said Naz Long.

With four seniors returning next season and the team coming off back-to-back Big 12 championships, why would you change anything?

ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard repeatedly said that how well a coach would fit in with the program was the most important decision in the hiring process.

Prohm seems to fit that description.

Next season’s Cyclones will have sky-high expectations. Hoiberg may have left, but the team remains in tact, as do the expectations.

It will just be Prohm, not Hoiberg, guiding the way.

“He’s just going to steer the ship to help us get to the places we want to be,” McKay said.