Iowa State Adds Veteran Assistant Tim Buckley to Men's Basketball Staff

Buckley brings over 30 years of coaching experience to the Cyclones program.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting in shades of red and gold, depicting fragmented and overlapping shapes that represent the dynamic action of a college basketball game.The addition of veteran assistant coach Tim Buckley to Iowa State's basketball staff is expected to provide a boost in recruiting and player development for the Cyclones.Bloomington Today

Iowa State University has announced the addition of veteran assistant coach Tim Buckley to its men's basketball coaching staff. Buckley, who has over 30 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, joins the Cyclones after previously serving as an assistant coach at Indiana University.

Why it matters

The hiring of Buckley is seen as a major boost for the Iowa State men's basketball program, which is looking to build on its recent success and compete for a Big 12 championship. Buckley's extensive experience and reputation as a strong recruiter and player development coach are expected to be valuable assets for the Cyclones.

The details

Buckley has spent the majority of his coaching career as an assistant, with stints at schools like Indiana, Marquette, and Ball State. He is known for his strong relationships with players and his ability to help develop talent. At Iowa State, Buckley will be tasked with assisting head coach T.J. Otzelberger in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, game planning, and player development.

  • Buckley was announced as the new Iowa State assistant coach on April 7, 2026.

The players

Tim Buckley

A veteran assistant coach with over 30 years of experience at the collegiate level, including previous stints at Indiana, Marquette, and Ball State.

T.J. Otzelberger

The head coach of the Iowa State men's basketball team, who is looking to build on the program's recent success.

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What they’re saying

“Tim Buckley is one of the most respected and experienced assistant coaches in the country. His track record of player development and recruiting will be invaluable as we continue to build our program at Iowa State.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Head Coach, Iowa State Men's Basketball

What’s next

Buckley is expected to join the Iowa State coaching staff immediately and begin recruiting for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The addition of Tim Buckley to the Iowa State men's basketball coaching staff is a significant move that should help the Cyclones continue to improve and compete at a high level in the Big 12 conference.